Kate Allen (1) (1957–)

Shed some tears with this one though the sad bits were nicely balanced with comforting and uplifting moments.

It should probably be noted that there are some postmortem scenes involving sharks that may be a bit much for some readers however those moments are very much about science, the necessity of the work these biologists do and it’s also an important part of Lucy’s story arc/grieving process as a fascination with and respect for sharks ties in to two losses in this young girl’s show more life.

I adored Lucy from page one, to have one tragedy followed by another my heart broke for her but the book did a truly lovely job of mending it, giving Lucy a school project to pour her soul into, a bittersweet little love story, and so many memorable side characters, the trio of men who take Lucy on a road trip, the neighbors who are like family and enduring their own emotional test, an encouraging teacher, etc., all of whom were crafted with an impressive depth, providing a strong sense of community for Lucy that movingly aids in her healing just as she aids in theirs. show less

Lucy and her childhood friend/next door neighbor Fred are exploring their ocean-side Massachusetts town over the summer for local marine wildlife to put in their extracurricular field guide- their rule is they can only include a creature if they see it. Fred is the scientist, and Lucy is a talented illustrator. Her mother was a prominent marine biologist and Great White shark expert who died of a brain aneurysm 5 years ago.

This book is a very real portrayal of grief, both fresh and old, and show more how it doesn’t always matter how long it’s been since a loss for it to hurt. The tone is melancholic, but told from Lucy’s point of view it’s also very simplistic and straight forward. She’s learning to carry a heavy weight, and her father and community of neighbors help her carry it. The book also provides a very real insight into the dangers and realities of underage drinking, namely that it will not be strangers trying to pressure you, but instead is a choice Lucy and Fred make because people they love and admire are doing it too, and it seems so fun.

Each chapter begins with a different illustration of a shark, which helps bring the field guide to life. show less

Wherever the sharks led, Lucy Everhart’s marine-biologist mother was sure to follow. In fact, she was on a boat far off the coast of Massachusetts, preparing to swim with a Great White, when she died suddenly. Lucy was eight. Since then Lucy and her father have done OK—thanks in large part to her best friend, Fred, and a few close friends and neighbors. But June of her twelfth summer brings more than the end of school and a heat wave to sleepy Rockport. On one steamy day, the tide brings show more a Great White—and then another tragedy, cutting short a friendship everyone insists was “meaningful” but no one can tell Lucy what it all meant. To survive the fresh wave of grief, Lucy must grab the line that connects her depressed father, a stubborn fisherman, and a curious old widower to her mother’s unfinished research. If Lucy can find a way to help this unlikely quartet follow the sharks her mother loved, she’ll finally be able to look beyond what she’s lost and toward what’s left to be discovered. show less

This was a quiet book about loss, grief, and growing up. Grief is difficult to understand and process, but Allen portrayed the grief and confuson that Lucy felt so realistically, it was hard not to feel it also. I loved the setting. The book took place in Rockport, Massachusetts near the cape and there were some moments when I truly felt like I could feel the spray of the ocean and smell the salt of the sea. I also liked the marine biologist aspect. Lucy's mother, who passed away when she show more was eight, was a marine biologist and it was interesting to read about her research into sharks and what a marine biologist actually does. I loved all of the characters: Lucy, Fred, Lucy's dad, Sookie, Mr. Patterson, and Vern Devine, Lucy's mother's research mentor. Vern had dementia and I really appreciated how Allen wrote his character. My grandmother also has dememtia so I could relate to how quickly conversations and names are forgotten. My only critique of the book is that it felt a little long. Towards the end, I was starting to get antsy and just wanted to finish it.

I do recommend this book. It's a great book for those who are interested in realistic fiction that touches on grief but also on finding meaning after difficult times. I don't typically read books that I feel like might make me sad but I'm glad I read this one. show less