About the Author

L. K. Madigan lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, son, two big black dogs, hundreds of books, and a couple of vintage cars.

Reviews

Gr 9 Up-No longer content to watch from shore, Lena decides that she wants to learn to surf. Although her father, a former surfer, forbids it, Lena accepts lessons from a friend and discovers that she is a natural. Unable to stay away from surfing, Lena risks her father discovering her new skill to seek out the impossible-a mermaid. When Lena finally makes contact, she uncovers a secret about herself and her mother that may change her family forever. L. K. Madigan's beautiful fantasy (Houghton Mifflin, 2010), firmly rooted in contemporary realism, is a tale about a girl who must learn truths about herself, family, friendship, and the world. Katie Schorr easily voices Lena's confusion, nervousness, heartache, determination, joy, and discovery. When Lena sings, Schorr's voice is captivating, adding another layer to the listening experience. For larger high school and public library collections.-Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

"With highly imagistic descriptions and savvy dialogue, Madigan offers a rewarding and credible story that uses fantasy elements to bare truths about family ties."--Booklist, starred review

"Mixing supernatural elements with the types of family problems and growing pains she explored in Flash Burnout, Madigan introduces Lena, a girl obsessed with the sea and learning to surf . . . emotions at play feel very real, and Madigan does a good job of evoking the fog of uncertainty that envelops Lena as she uncovers long-buried secrets--she truly is like a fish out of water."--Publishers Weekly

"Be rewarded with a heartthrob of a merman, enthusiastic surfing scenes, and a well-integrated blend of magic and realism both on land and underwater."--Bulletin Praise for FLASH BURNOUT Fall 2010: New England Children's Booksellers Advisory Council's Fall Top Ten ListWinner of the 2010 William C. Morris Award "With just enough humor to diffuse the tension and the art and science of photography as a backdrop, this rich romance explores the complexities of friendship and love, and the all-too-human limitations of both. It's a sobering, compelling, and satisfying read for teens and a promising debut for a new young-adult author."--Booklist, starred review "Flash Burnout gets high marks from me in all categories. Voice? Check. Plot that matters? Check. Writing style? Flawless. I would say that this book could be described as Laurie Halse Anderson meets John Green, with a whole new set of humor and imagery that is all its own."--Holly, Annie Bloom's Bookstore, Portland OR #4 on Indiebound's Top Ten List