Mermaid Tales Books in Order

Diving Into the World of Mermaid Tales

Created by bestselling children's book author Debbie Dadey (known for co-authoring the iconic Adventures of the Bailey School Kids series), the Mermaid Tales series has captured the hearts of young readers since its debut in 2012. Set in the vibrant, bubbling depths of the ocean at Trident Academy, the series centers around the lives, challenges, and adventures of third-grade mermaids and merboys. Blending magic, schoolyard friendships, and real marine science, the books are designed specifically for transitional readers aged 6 to 9 who are moving into chapter books.

With 22 main-series books and a dedicated spin-off line, navigating the waters of Trident Academy can feel vast. Fortunately, keeping track of the books is simple when you know how the series is structured and where the characters' journeys take them. This guide provides a complete reading order, outlines the spin-offs, and highlights key details to know before you start your underwater reading adventure.

Where to Start: The Recommended Reading Path

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read the main Mermaid Tales series in publication order. While each book features a standalone adventure focusing on friendship, school drama, or ocean exploration, the series does build upon established character relationships, school settings, and ongoing subplots. Reading chronologically from Book 1 ensures that readers understand the group dynamics, school rules, and character introductions.

The perfect entry point is the very first book, Trouble at Trident Academy. In this debut, readers are introduced to Shelly Siren on her first day of third grade, her best friend Echo Reef, the strict teacher Mrs. Karp, and the school's resident mean-girl, Pearl Swamp. Starting here establishes the layout of Trident Academy and the central conflicts that reappear throughout the series.

Publication Order of the Main Mermaid Tales Books

Below is the complete list of the 22 main-series books in their chronological publication order. Each book typically shifts focus to a different protagonist from the core group of mergirls—Shelly, Echo, Kiki, and Pearl—allowing readers to experience Trident Academy from multiple perspectives:

1. Trouble at Trident Academy (2012) – Shelly Siren navigates her first day of school, a tricky group project, and school rivalry.
2. Battle of the Best Friends (2012) – The friendship between Shelly and Echo is tested when Pearl Swamp stirs up trouble.
3. A Whale of a Tale (2012) – Shy Kiki Coral must face her fears during a class field trip to meet migrating humpback whales.
4. Danger in the Deep Blue Sea (2013) – The third-graders learn about ocean conservation when they must save a trapped shark.
5. The Lost Princess (2013) – Shelly discovers a mysterious secret about her heritage that leads to questions about royalty.
6. The Secret Sea Horse (2013) – The mermaids try to keep a baby seahorse hidden from their teacher.
7. Dream of the Blue Turtle (2014) – Echo Reef leads a crusade to protect endangered sea turtles and clean up ocean trash.
8. Treasure in Trident City (2014) – The friends explore the bustling markets of Trident City in search of a legendary treasure.
9. A Royal Tea (2014) – Shelly gets an invitation to a royal tea party, but royal etiquette proves challenging.
10. A Tale of Two Sisters (2015) – Pearl Swamp's sister visits, revealing a softer side to the school's usual bully.
11. The Polar Bear Express (2015) – The class travels to the icy waters of the North Pole to study arctic wildlife.
12. Wish upon a Starfish (2015) – Kiki wishes on a starfish to help her overcome her stage fright for the school play.
13. The Crook and the Crown (2015) – The students investigate a mystery when a royal crown goes missing at school.
14. Twist and Shout (2016) – Echo wants to dance in the school talent show but must deal with a stubborn partner.
15. Books vs. Looks (2016) – Pearl tries out for a modeling role but realizes that intelligence and friendship matter more.
16. Flower Girl Dreams (2017) – The mermaids help plan an elegant underwater wedding, dealing with dress-up disasters.
17. Ready, Set, Goal! (2017) – Rocky Ridge needs to learn teamwork during Trident Academy's annual shell wars tournament.
18. Fairy Chase (2018) – Shelly goes on an adventure to find out if mysterious sea fairies actually exist.
19. The Narwhal Problem (2019) – The third-grade class encounters a lost narwhal and must guide it back to its pod.
20. The Winter Princess (2020) – A seasonal celebration at Trident Academy is interrupted by an unexpected royal guest.
21. Sleepover at the Haunted Museum (2021) – The students spend a spooky night at the Trident City Museum and investigate weird noises.
22. A Titanic Friendship (2022) – The class takes a field trip to the site of the sunken Titanic, where they welcome a new student who uses a wheelchair.

The Mini Mermaid Tales Spin-Off

For younger or emerging readers who aren't quite ready for the standard 90-page chapter books, Debbie Dadey created a spin-off series called Mini Mermaid Tales. Published under Simon & Schuster's "QUIX" imprint, these books feature simpler vocabulary, larger text, and focus on the same characters in shorter, highly accessible formats. They can be read as companions to the main series or as a stepping stone before diving into the main novels.

• The Friendship Wish (Book 1) – Introduces the younger version of the mermaids as they learn to cooperate.
• The Dolphin Dream (Book 2) – A magical encounter with a friendly dolphin teaches lessons about sharing.
• The Princess Promise (Book 3) – The mermaids make a special pact to help a friend in need.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into the deep blue sea, there are a few unique elements of the series that help readers fully appreciate the setting:

Educational Ocean Science

Unlike many standard fantasy series, Mermaid Tales blends mythology with genuine marine biology. Debbie Dadey frequently introduces real sea creatures (such as humpback whales, narwhals, sea turtles, and even the unique bacteria Halomonas titanicae eating away at the Titanic) and explains their ecological importance. The books include educational glossaries and fun ocean facts at the end of each volume, making them highly valued by teachers and parents for STEM alignment.

Revolving Perspectives

While Shelly Siren is the main protagonist of the first book, the series is unique because it rotates perspective. Echo is the star of environmental issues, Kiki represents readers dealing with anxiety and shyness, and even the antagonist, Pearl, gets POV books that explain her family life and why she behaves the way she does. This helps young readers build empathy by seeing the same playground conflicts from different points of view.

Standalone Accessibility

If a reader happens to pick up a book out of order—for example, reading Book 22, A Titanic Friendship, because they are interested in the historical ship—they will not be lost. Debbie Dadey writes each book with a brief recap of character traits and settings, ensuring that any book in the series can function as a standalone story.