TRIUMPH

Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham

On a sunny day in June, at the beach with her mom and brother, 15-year-old Jane Arrowood went for a swim. And then everything - absolutely everything - changed. Now she’s counting down the days until she returns to school with her fake arm, where she knows kids will whisper, "That's her - that's Shark Girl," as she passes. Poems, letters, telephone conversations, and newspaper clippings look unflinchingly at what it's like to lose part of yourself - and to summon the courage it takes to find yourself again.

SLJ Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers
Nominated for BBYA by the ALA
"Powerful..." - Publishers Weekly, starred review
"...justifiably popular." - Booklist
"Readers will identify instantly..." - Kirkus

Kelly Bingham

On the nightstand: Books, lotion, lip balm, pen and crossword book

Favorite drink while you write: Green tea

Favorite bookstore: The Flying Pig in Vermont

Favorite library: My hometown library

Pet: Dogs

Place to write: At the library, the beach, or anywhere quiet and relaxing

Inspiration: Music, news, and people

Dream book tour: Hawaii!

Writer-buddies: My classmates of Vermont College

Cures for writer's block: A long walk, listening to music, reading something mundane, housework, or a nap

Favorite outfit: Jeans and a T-shirt, fluffy socks

Long-hand or laptop? Laptop

High heels or Uggs? Neither - I'm a sock person!

Next up: Still working on it!

Author idol: Natalie Babbitt

Website: www.kellybingham.net

Interviews: Cynthia Leitich Smith and Little Willow

Roundtable: Miss Erin, Little Willow, and Lorie Ann Grover discuss the book Shark Girl

 

Discuss the book with the author herself! Kelly Bingham will be chatting live at the readergirlz forum on Thursday, April 24th at 6 PM PST/9 PM EST.

The chat will last for about an hour.

 

Check out this resource for information on the Americans with Disabilities Act. The site is full of facts that could help you or a friend!

On April 17th, 2008, release a book into the wild! Leave a book with a TBD bookplate pasted inside in a teen gathering spot in your community. Place it where the book will be found, taken, and read. (i.e. a coffee shop, the park, your school, a bus stop.) Imagine the fun someone will have when they find your donation! This is the same day all 10,000 publisher-donated books will be dropped in pediatric hospitals across the country, and it is the same day authors and readergirlz worldwide will release their own books into their communities just as you have.

Click here for more information on Operation TBD!

These tunes were hand-picked to accompany Shark Girl.

• Theme from Jaws
• How to Save a Life - The Fray
• I Am - Bon Jovi
• Ladder in My Tights - Amy Studt
• Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles
• Pain - Elton John
• You're Still You - Josh Groban
• Hero - Superchic[k]
• Fearless - Daechelle

What did you think of Shark Girl? Talk about it with other readers at the readergirlz forum, open 24/7.

Invite: A picture of the book cover; stickers of seashells, fish, and sharks.
Food: Jane is a vegetarian, so a huge bowl of fruit salad, a quiche or omelet with veggies, fresh bread, and chocolate cake.
Décor: An artist's loft: paintings on the wall, art supplies laid out, swatches of paint or fabric, clay, sculpting tools, easels, canvas, busts - or a beach theme: straw hats, beach balls, flowered leis, seashells, sandals, shorts, bikini tops.
Movies: Blue Crush, Surf's Up, Jaws

Here are some things to consider and discuss . . .

In Shark Girl, Jane often feels judged for her appearance. Has this ever happened to you? How does it make you feel?

Have you ever judged anyone by their appearance?

After the loss of her arm, Jane finds it hard to do ordinary things. Have you ever had to take on a challenge? What got you through it? How did you keep from giving up?

Art is something Jane loves to do for many reasons. Do you like to make things? Draw? Write? Dance? Sing? What's the best part of expressing yourself artistically?

Jane comments that sometimes it's best that we don’t know the future. Would you see the future if you could? Or would you rather be surprised? Why?

Let's say you could not use your right arm for a month. What sort of things could you not do that month? What would you miss? What do you think would be the hardest part?

Jane's friends try to help her feel better in this book. How have you helped your friends through hard times?

 

Recommended by postergirlz, the readergirlz advisory council

Fiction:
Girl Overboard by Justina Chen Headley
Side Effects by Amy Goldman Koss
The Off Season by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Get Well Soon by Julie Halpern
Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick

Non-Fiction:
Nerves Out Loud edited by Susan Musgrave

Join us in May to discuss Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale.

 

 

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