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Julia and the Shark
Julia and the Shark | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
10 posts | 7 read | 12 to read
A captivating, powerful and luminous story from a bestselling, award-winning author about a mother, a daughter and the great Greenland shark. Wrapped up in mesmerising illustrations and presented as a deluxe hardback, this is a perfect gift for the holiday season, for 9+ fans of Philip Pullman, Sally Gardner and Frances Hardinge. 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.
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Bookish_Gal
Julia and the Shark | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Pickpick

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.

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Bookish_Gal
Julia and the Shark | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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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.

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TracyReadsBooks
Julia and the Shark | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Pickpick

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.

bunny Great review! I've been curious about this one so I'll definitely have to check it out now. 11mo
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TracyReadsBooks
Julia and the Shark | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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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.

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julesG
Julia and the Shark | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Pickpick

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

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TorieStorieS
Julia and the Shark | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Pickpick

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!

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Twocougs
Julia and the Shark | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Pickpick

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!

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AnneCecilie
Julia and the Shark | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Pickpick

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

AnneCecilie Trigger warning for suicide attempt, the mum has bipolar disorder and takes too many pills one night 2y
Reggie I might try this. I loved The Mercies. 2y
Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 2y
EvieBee Thank you for putting this on my radar! I just preordered a paperback edition. I am obsessed with Greenland sharks. (edited) 2y
55 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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AnneCecilie
Julia and the Shark | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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#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

Cinfhen Plans look good 😊 2y
71 likes1 comment