Julia and the Shark: An enthralling, uplifting adventure story from the creators of LEILA AND THE BLUE FOX
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By Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Tom de Freston, and and, Aysha Kala
avg rating
1 review
A captivating, powerful and luminous story from a bestselling, award-winning author about a mother, a daughter, and the great Greenland shark. Narrated beautifully with atmospheric sound effects, this is a perfect audiobook for 9+ fans of David Almond and Frances Hardinge.
‘A truly beautiful book, with text and illustrations in perfect harmony. A book to treasure!’ Jacqueline Wilson
‘Julia and the Shark is deep, beautiful and true. The art shines and the writing soars – a classic from cover to cover’ Eoin Colfer
‘A rich, immersive and wondrous journey, through deep darkness to hope and light’ Sophie Anderson, author of The House with Chicken Legs
The shark was beneath my bed, growing large as the room, large as the lighthouse, rising from unfathomable depths until it ripped the whole island from its roots. The bed was a boat, the shark a tide, and it pulled me so far out to sea I was only a speck, a spot, a mote, a dying star in an unending sky…
Julia has followed her mum and dad to live on a remote island for the summer – her dad, for work; her mother, on a determined mission to find the elusive Greenland shark. But when her mother’s obsession threatens to submerge them all, Julia finds herself on an adventure with dark depths and a lighthouse full of hope…
A beautiful, lyrical, uplifting story about a mother, a daughter, and love – with timely themes of the importance of science and the environment.
(P) 2021 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
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There is something of Julia in all of us, and her voice, yellow notebook and observations of the Islands of Shetland will stay with me always. Elements of poetry, especially in the dream sequences, combined with stunning artwork from Tom de Freston, elegantly lift words from the page and envelop you in a mesmerising family dynamic. Kiran Millwood Hargrave never ceases to deliver and in this intensely personal and almost lyrical delivery she has produced a masterpiece.
The digital proof was simply beautiful and I cannot wait to share a hard copy with my KS2 students. This gorgeous book will inspire discussion around mental health, environmental awareness, family tragedy as well as profound hope in relationships. Interesting that in the appendix section the authors recommend The Red Tree by Shaun Tan, which we already study. I know they will compliment each other on my classroom bookshelf!
