The Girl from Atlantis

By: Richard Schenkman

Narrated by: Richard Schenkman

Length: 2 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Athena Crowley is an ordinary 11-year-old girl who lives in an extraordinary place: a resort hotel in the Bahamas. Her father is the marine archeologist who discovered the Mythical Lost City of Atlantis, for which the hotel is named. Athena’s mother was lost years ago when a freak whirlpool took her away. Athena goes to school, rides the water slides, and helps out at the hotel’s dolphin encounter… a fairly normal life.

But everything changes the day an old turtle starts talking to her, and Athena realizes that she can communicate with sea creatures. Determined to understand her roots, Athena takes a risky journey to the undersea kingdom of Atlantica, where mer-people rule, humans are slaves, and dangerous and thrilling surprises await her.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2010 Richard Schenkman (P)2011 Richard Schenkman

Critic reviews

“This book is about love, friendship, trust and loyalty, and a little girl who would not give up… a must read for all children.” (Bookpleasures.com)

“A fabulously illustrated adventure book of mingled fact and fantasy of the highest quality.” (Midwest Book Review)

"The Girl From Atlantis is fun, fresh, and a great story if you're feeling a different take on Atlantis and its residents." (YA Book Queen)

Brings the Sea to Life

Knowing “the girl” is from Atlantis kind of sets the reader/listener waiting for •something more•.

When I read the book blurb, I had the impression the mom was already gone, instead of losing her four chapters into the book.

After she loses her mom, we’re informed “Lots of kids only had one parent, and now she was one of them” ... but a few minutes later, it’s narrated at her school, “many of those families only spent part of the year here and she didn’t have any friends” ... So how, exactly does she relate to knowing a lot of kids have one parent?

This book needs a thorough edit in the first half; it’s more tight as she goes under the sea. It’s clear the concentration for world building was spent here and not the events not related to Atlantis.
One would have to suspend belief that at a vacational resort a “24 hours missing before investigations for an 11 year old” is the norm. Umm. Have you heard of Code Adam? Welfare checks?
It’s immediate in most of the US. So that whole scenario of the only parent is out of the area and can’t get in touch with his daughter and no one starts a search is ludicrous!

Atlantica was a wonderful place. Archibald was an unsung hero. Bittersweet joy and sorrow towards the end ...

I did like the book. But not enough to keep it and share with my granddaughters.
The narrator was enjoyable to listen as he brought the characters- the mer-people, sea animals, and leg dwellers- to life. I do hope he spends more time on fleshing out the details as he continues to pen his stories.