4 stars
A fascinating read documenting some of Eugenie Clark’s adventures with underwater creatures. This was a very interesting book that touches on Clark’s life, her scientific interests, conservationism, and of course her escapades with various sharks and other animals.
Written in a way that is simple yet engaging, this is a great book for young readers who are interested in sharks, ocean animals, or animal sciences as a whole. It also includes pictures from Clark’s various adventures. The images are in black-and-white, so some are a little difficult to see what’s happening, especially in the underwater shots, but they pair well with the text.
As it is more of a science book, there are references to dissection and dead animals. There are a few black-and-white images that show removing organs from sharks and such. Because of this, it is better for older children and is perhaps not a great fit for sensitive readers. A good intro to the concepts of studying animals for science and some of the processes this involves.
I found this book very interesting and it was told in such a way that felt exciting and fun. There is a good deal of emphasis on some of Clark’s more remarkable experiences such as riding a whale shark, her struggle against a giant spider crab, and her first dive which nearly resulted in a bad end.
I loved that the book seemed to take on the character of Clark, maintaining that sharks are not generally dangerous. There are various references to humans being more dangerous than sharks, which fit well with the topic. I also liked the focus on conservationism and protecting the well-being of animals.
An interesting and engaging read. Great non-fiction book for young readers to show that real life can be just as interesting as fiction.