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Shark Girl

(2007, Fiction - Coming of Age, Written by Kelly Bingham)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Introspective look at a teen's road to recovery.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Meaningful adults play a large role in her recuperation, including mother, brother, extended family members, therapist, doctors, nurses, counselors, friends. But it's up to Jane to accept who she is.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Teen attacked by shark in water, massive amounts of blood, major injury to arm that is amputated. After waking from coma, the girl is in incredible pain.
  • Sex:

    Fantasies described of kissing a boyfriend. Crushes on boys in school. Older brother watches girls in bikinis at beach.
  • Language:

    Mild use of profanity such as "bastard," "damn," "hell," "s--t."
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Shark Girl

Parents need to know that there is graphic description of the physical, mental, and emotional trauma of a 15-year-old girl being attacked by a shark and having her arm amputated. Profanity is present but fairly mild, and there is discussion of having boyfriends, kissing them, etc.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the challenges Jane faces when she loses her arm. Can you imagine how this would make your own life more difficult? Also, parents can ask their teens about the person who videotaped the attack and then had the film shown on TV. Was this appropriate, and was there anything positive to be gained by showing the footage?

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Our Members Say

Have you read it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Shark Girl?
  •  I think this book is

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See all 12 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    LOVED IT!

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Best Rebecca Caudill Nominee!

    A great portrayal of how hard loss is no matter what you lose, whether it be an arm or a loved one. Insight on how some families deal with extreme tragedy.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    A truly fantastic novel about a young girl dealing with huge problems. An eye-opener about what it is really like to be a teenage outcast in every sense of the word.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    wayne boke

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 1.0

    gdfxf

    hdfgshdghfg

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