A Fishboy Named… Sashimi by Dan Santat

I almost feel bad reading this after the copious amounts of sashimi I had as part of my Mother’s Day dinner last night (but only almost, lol.)

Sashimi is a fish boy who swims out of Barnacle Bay one night looking for refuge… and answers. He figures that infiltrating the local middle school will help: the Lost & Found has everything he needs to stay incognito, and the other kids are about the same size as he is, so he can blend in.

After some awkward introductions, sixth grade teacher Miss Wilcox tells the class’ penultimate new kid Joe to show Sashimi around. Joe has already pegged the even newer comer as being weird, but has enough problems of his own to deal with, what with his lack of friends and, worse, being the target of the school bully.

Sashimi, being entirely new to life on dry land, is fascinated by his surroundings, even as he’s unwilling to let Joe be a punching bag for the local mean kids. As the two tentatively form a friendship, they learn more about the town they live in, as well as the ongoing local quest for the legendary Beast of Barnacle Bay. Will Sashimi finally find the answers he’s looking for, or will he find himself forced to return to the sea empty-handed? Or, worse, will he be trapped onshore by people determined to harm him solely for who he appears to be?

This was a really cute, almost literal fish-out-of-water tale, as we follow Sashimi’s efforts to pass as one of the town’s kids while going in search of a beast — or at least people — who might hold answers to his own origins. Humor abounds, even as readers can’t help but worry that Sashimi’s cover will be busted. It was also really sweet to see him befriend not only Joe but the other “weird” kids at his school. I’m super glad that several more books in this series are already in the works, as the storyline was a refreshing blend of coming-of-age fantasy, humor and mystery.

The cartoony art is perfect for the middle grade target audience, who will likely also appreciate the “heroic art” interludes. I’ve never seen fish have so many expressions before but Dan Santat perfectly conveys his story via both human and marine facial features. I laughed aloud several times even as good-natured Sashimi goes from one stressful situation to another, carrying the day with his matter-of-fact attitude and positivity. Recommended.

A Fishboy Named… Sashimi by Dan Santat was published April 14 2026 by Roaring Brook Press and is available from all good booksellers, including