Silas is a rag-and-bone boy, a ragamuffin who makes his living by scavenging in the dirty streets of the city and beachcombing by the wild blue sea. Early one morning, after a big storm, Silas makes the greatest find of his life-a mermaid, a savage girl with a tail and sharp nails, lying injured on the beach. He offers the mermaid shelter and protection. But Silas in only a ragged boy, and their are ruthless villains at large-ruffians who lurk in gangs in the twisting alleys, and who know that a mermaid could bring them fortunes beyond their wildest dreams...

 

There are 224 pages in this book. This book was published 2003 by Scholastic .

Alan Temperley is the author of the best-selling novel Harry and the Wrinklies which is also a popular children's television drama. He lives in Scotland.