cbr13bingo HOME
The journey I took to read the book Shark Summer: I heard we were having the author (Ira Marcks) for a virtual event. I found the reader copy. I did not read it until after the event, which I also forgot was happening. Therefore, I was unable to partake of the knowledge, information and questions asked of him/passed down by him. However, that was a good thing as one should not go into this book knowing too much about it. Those spoils a few of the surprises you will find on these graphic novel pages.
Some of the surprises are obvious to the adult reader, but would not be for the audience aimed at, which is about 10 years-old to about 13 years-old. One could go older by a bit, but probably not too much, and could go younger but due to some content, it would not be good for the sensitive reader.
This is a friendship story, a family story and more. There are mysteries, broken friendships, broken bones, and a cult-like group of the past (this is where the sensitive part comes into play. While tastefully done (and probably a lot tamer than what most kids see today), there is no question about the bloody rituals, ill-gotten gains, and murder) and a Hollywood movie being made with a shark called Bruce (calling Captain Quint). Things are bumpy but that is ok. Life is bumpy. When reality and movie magic fantasy come to this Scooby Gangs Island, a lot is unmasked, and healing can start.
I am choosing this as my Home Bingo Book as there is the “coming back to one’s hometown” and finding a community/family/home in it. The main character Gayle and her mother come back to Martha’s Vineyard to start over and to start an ice cream shop. Here we meet Elijah (a budding filmmaker staying on the island for a few months), Maddie (a girl who is odd, bullied and might be a vampire) and Alexandra (or Alex who has a few skeletons in her family closet).
