The Gatekeeper’s Daughter by Susan Reimer

What worked:

This book presents a message that may evoke thoughts of our world today. Legend says, that many years ago people became greedy and took more from the sea than they needed. The Creator decided to separate the humans into four separate communities and the Gatekeeper controls who can enter the sea. People can breathe and talk as they do on land which may surprise some readers; it surprises some characters! Maira, daughter of the Gatekeeper, discovers the cavern mentioned in the synopsis and she fears it may be what created problems before. Of course, she keeps it a secret until strangers come to town. But. has she waited too long to stop disaster from returning?

An internal conflict is found in Maira as she begins to question whether she wants to become the next Gatekeeper. Many readers may relate to problems that come from parental expectations and traditions. Maira’s mother is dead so Maira is happy to help her father. However, gatekeeping and tending to the house don’t leave much time for herself and she wonders what she might be missing in the world. She also fears it’s getting harder to remember her mother. Maira knows the Gatekeeper is vital in guarding the sea but why does it need to be her?

The secret in the Cavern of Light is similar to some other books but it’s also innovative. It shows how greed can blind people to making bad choices and not foresee the consequences. The story addresses how humans sometimes need to protect nature from other humans before it’s ruined beyond repair. Maira takes charge of guarding the cavern although she learns it’s okay to ask for help. In the end, readers will see how Maira displays compassion and forgiveness when the town considers punishment for one of its citizens.

What didn’t work as well:

It’s hard to distinguish life in the sea and life on land since people can talk and breathe in both places. Kids play above and below the water and people garden on land and at the sea bottom. Mental images may be confused unless Maira visits the Cavern of Light.

The final verdict:

Readers can admire Maira’s honesty, caring, and bravery as she struggles in her role as the Gatekeeper’s daughter. Discovering the Cavern of Light creates different levels of conflict but Maira overcomes them in an exciting climax. I recommend you give this book a shot.