Welcome to Litsy!

This light hearted book metaphors a shark creeping up on a family. They move to reclusive town, away from everything else to a lighthouse. Where the mum is obsessed with finding a Greenland shark. To the point her mental health flails. This is through Julia‘s eyes, watching her mother fight her bipolar disorder. Watching the obsession drag her deep into the cold ocean. Beautiful graphics help show Julia‘s emotions throughout.

Wonderful story so far; between the words being told through young Julia‘s eyes and through the beautiful yet simplistic images. I just have a minute issue with the marine biologist mother saying sharks have bones. I know it was to her daughter about their “magic bones.” I love sharks, so I have to say please use the correct term of cartilage instead.
Great small book for these short flights.

Julia is off to spend the summer in Shetland where her father has a job in a lighthouse & her mom, a marine biologist, plans to search for an elusive shark. Julia makes a friend & soon finds herself helping him deal with a bully. Not long after, her mom‘s hopeful excitement fades to sadness as there is no sign of the shark. A wise, wonderful MG story about it being okay to not be okay, family, & friendship. Gorgeous illustrations throughout.

Skies are grey but it‘s all good because I‘m inside with a MG book by Hargrave—author of The Mercies which was one of my two favorite 2020 reads—that has outstanding reviews. I‘m anticipating a great story.

Julia and the Shark is full of wonderful writing and illustrations. It's a middle-grade book that is perfect for all ages. A story about decisions and where they can lead us; a story about mental illness and getting the help you need.

Did I mention the wonderful illustrations? Most are in black and white and support the mood of the story perfectly. They are my reason for getting the print edition.

#ARC US Edition #MountARC #NetGalley

Wow- I loved this middle-grade novel. Titular character/narrator Julia spends her 10th summer on the isle of Unst in Shetland, Scotland with her marine biologist mother & electrical engineer father. They live in the lighthouse that her dad‘s fixing while her mom searches for the Greenland shark. Dealing with bullies, new friends, & identity apart from her folks- along with mental health, this beautifully illustrated book is lyrical & emotional!

I‘ve adored Kiran Millwood Hargrove‘s adult books, so I just had to try this middle grade novel- OMG it was lovely. All about Julia and her parents spending a summer in the Shetlands while dad works on automating a lighthouse and mom, a marine biologist, searches for a shark. Mental health, friendship and the importance family. This might be my very fav of all of her books!

Julia and her parents are spending the summer holiday in Unst, Shetland. Her mum wants to look for the very rare Greenland shark.

About family, making new friends and mental health.

Trigger warnings in the comments

9th book for #DashingDecember
@Andrew65

#WeeklyForecast

Finish The Warmth of Other Suns #OtherSuns

I‘m going to continue with my advent reads

I want to read Julia and the Shark, The Christmas Pig and Christmas Cakes & Mistletoe Nights