(2) 4-6 Lucy's mother died researching sharks when Lucy was young. Now, during a summer project studying the great white sharks near their Rockport, Massachusetts, home, Lucy's best friend Fred dies in a tragic accident. Lucy turns to her mother's unfinished research and finds a way to strengthen remembered connections among her mother, Fred, and those still present in her life. Fluid writing adds depth to the meticulously drawn characters' emotional journeys.

Reviewer: Sarah Berman | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2019

(3) K-3 Steve tells us his fellow sea creatures are afraid of him, though he's a small, inoffensive-looking fish. Eventually, he introduces his best friend, George--a shark. Back matter explains that Steve is a pilot fish who keeps sharks free of parasites in exchange for protection, a mutualistic relationship. An engaging direct-address text, humorous speech-bubble asides, and cartoony double-page-spread illustrations add up to success.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) K-3 Just Ask! series. This well-organized question-and-answer book leads readers through a selection of facts, including descriptions of sharks and related species, their food sources, and how they care for their young. The questions range from standard, such as a focus on shark teeth, to creative connections to science concepts ("Do sharks fly?"). Lots of up-close shark photographs are set against colorful backgrounds. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Alternator Books: They Survived series. In clear, vivid texts, these series entries tell the true stories of two courageous individuals: surfer Hamilton, who lost an arm in a shark attack, and professional climber Ralston, who amputated his own hand to escape being trapped in a canyon. Both books rely on photographs from their movie versions, clearly noted in the captions, and include tips on dealing with deadly situations. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Alternator Books: They Survived titles: Surviving a Canyon and Surviving a Shark Attack

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) K-3 The titular half-shark, half-dog pet (Shark Dog!) is back and making his child's ordinary school nature trip way more interesting. While his curiosity may get the better of him, Shark Dog's got a nose for helping: he rescues a distressed bear cub and shows lost class members their way home. Adamson's pencil and watercolor illustrations help ground this quirky animal hero.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Daniel Duncan. Nate loves to pretend that he's a shark, although his older brother points out that real sharks can swim. So Nate takes lessons, conquering his fear of the water and ultimately beating his brother in a competition. The humorous stylized cartoons make the most of Shark Nate-O's triumph in this appealing fantasy for both shark lovers and the water avoidant.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Scott Magoon. Dyckman's quick-witted, humorous text stars Shark, who interrupts a marine-animal crew making a live underwater television show. Shark feels very misunderstood, and shark facts shared throughout support Shark's claims. Magoon's expressive illustrations pop off the page, and word-bubble asides from fish plus fantastic page-turns sustain the suspense; the twist ending is reminiscent of Jon Klassen's I Want My Hat Back.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 4-6 Science Comics series. This continuing series gives the graphic-novel treatment to an exploration of one of nature's top predators. The text is heavily loaded with shark facts and yet doesn't feel ponderous. Detailed illustrations rely on shades of blue and green to emphasize the aquatic nature of the topic. The comic-book layout is easy to read, breaking the text up into manageable chunks. Glos.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) K-3 I Like to Read series. As boating elephant Mike naps, his pet fish jumps out of his fishbowl and into the ocean. Fish Pat enjoys the adventure until a shark arrives; "Pat needs help," which arrives in the form of Mike (who himself later needs help to resurface). Told in a combination of expressive paintings, simple sentences, and speech-bubble interjections, this rather unexciting story is nevertheless suitable as an easy reader.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) K-3 Shark-lover Josie is bummed to be the only kid in her class who hasn't lost a tooth. When one finally does get wiggly, she attempts to extract it. A game of sharks at recess with her BFF unintentionally does the trick--but where's her tooth? The relatable conflict, shown in clear, unfussy pencil and pastel illustrations, is engagingly portrayed.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Dan Santat. A platypus ("DUDE!") and a beaver ("DUDE!") hit the waves with their surfboards. When one spots a shark in the distance ("DUDE...?"), the surf buddies scramble for shore ("DUUUUUDE!"). "Dude" is a surprisingly malleable word, making it a good fit for a one-word (well, almost) yarn. The elastic facial expressions of the three main players in the colorful illustrations say everything the text can't.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) YA Sharks are more than ocean-dwelling dangers, argues Young in this fact- and photo-filled introduction. Textbook-like chapters provide discussion of shark anatomy, migration, reproduction, feeding habits, and cultural misconceptions while also delving into the scientific work involved in studying and protecting sharks, giving budding ichthyologists a glimpse of possible career directions. Includes a guide to the eight orders of shark species. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Erica Wetter

(3) K-3 A half shark–half dog creature follows an explorer and his child (the narrator) home; everything is great until the pet begins to feel homesick. They travel back to his native land, but Shark Dog decides to stay with his new family. The watercolor illustrations' humorous, cartoony style (especially in depicting googly-eyed Shark Dog) lighten this story of finding one's place in the world.

Reviewer: Lolly Robinson

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Secrets of American History series. Illustrated by Valerio Fabbretti. This dip into history, accompanied by full-color cartoonlike illustrations, provides an engaging beginning-reader overview of World War II's lesser-known intrigues. After introducing the war, the focus shifts to the creation of shark repellent, using ghost armies, and a biographical sketch of American spy Virginia Hall. Additional details about sharks, measuring areas, and spies are appended, along with a quiz.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) PS Illustrated by Dan Hanna. Mr. Fish and friends are playing at the park when suddenly, "The shark showed his teeth, / And he growled as he swam. / 'Move aside, micro-fishies! / It's my turn. SCRAM!'" Mr. Fish's eventual response defangs the shark implausibly easily, but six Pout-Pout books in, there's still impressive bite in Diesen's rhymes. As always, Hanna's adorable cast conjures aquatic Muppets.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 After her marine-biologist parents are killed, Fidelia is kidnapped by Merrick the Monstrous, a pirate who needs her diving skills to retrieve his treasure from a shark's territory. Fidelia's grief fits somewhat strangely with the high-flying adventure; nevertheless, the seagoing exploits are first-rate, and Merrick is a charismatic, credibly flawed swashbuckler whose doomed romance will grab readers' sympathies once it's revealed.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Guy Francis. As Book Report Day approaches, Clark the Shark is sure he'll give "the best report ever!" But when Clark stands up in front of his class, he freezes. Drama builds throughout the accessible easy-reader text, but the resolution comes too easily. Francis's full-bleed illustrations reflect Clark's oversized personality and expand slightly on the narrative. Shark facts are appended.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(3) 4-6 Graphic Prehistoric Animals series. Illustrated by Alessandro Poluzzi. The danger-filled lives and behaviors of prehistoric species are conveyed through dynamic comic-book accounts in which realistic conditions--including intense, bloody deaths--clearly portray the constant threats to survival. Pages of basic facts about the featured species and other animals included in each book precede and follow the main graphic story. There are four other spring 2017 books in this series. Glos., ind. Review covers these Graphic Prehistoric Animals titles: Giant Sloth, Mega Shark, Sabertooth Tiger, and Terminator Pig.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 In the Deep Blue Sea series. After tips to adult caregivers on encouraging new readers, each choppy easy-reader text provides a simple overview of a disparate fish species--clownfish, sea horses, and sharks--describing the animal's physical appearance, diet, life cycle, and threats to survival. Close-up underwater photographs elevate the fairly skimpy content; "Did You Know?" sidebars provide additional cursory facts throughout. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these In the Deep Blue Sea titles: Clownfish, Sea Horses, and Sharks.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) K-3 Apex Predators of the Amazon Rain Forest series. Elementary-level texts introduce freshwater fish predators of the Amazon, exploring each creature's habitat, diets, adaptations for survival, and life cycles. Abundant labeled photographs, additional facts, and discussion questions throughout promote further engagement with the material. Squeamish readers may balk at photos of half-eaten prey. A "Science Lab" activity is appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Apex Predators of the Amazon Rain Forest titles: Arapaima, Bull Shark, and Electric Eel.

Reviewer: Russell Perry