SYNOPSIS

Since the death of Lucy’s mom Helen, a famed shark biologist, 5 years ago both she and Lucy’s dad have lost their footing.

Lucy’s best friend Fred is her constant companion, project partner and a bit of a caregiver.

Fred dies in a tragic nighttime swimming accident at the nearby quarry, and it seems like Lucy will not recover.

Frequent visits to the Rockport area by great white sharks – as if sent by Fred – urge Lucy to dig into her mom’s research.

Lucy, her dad, a fisherman friend and an older neighbor look into Helen’s final research proposal – tagging sharks with radio transmitters to track their movements.

They learn that the project has been implemented and join a trip to tag “Fred” and “Helen”, two great whites which, atypically for sharks, enjoy swimming together.

PERFECT AGE 10 – 14

We love

• Almost unfathomable grief is portrayed with poetic tenderness and relatability through the experiences of various characters and with beautiful vignettes (like Lucy’s postcards to Fred).
• Three lost men come together to prop up and rescue a child after unbelievable loss. Seems like she rescues them too.
• The glorious shark drawings at each chapter.
• This book felt like home – Halibut Point is a favorite visit spot for my family.
• A YA book that is also for adults, and stays with you long after the last page.

WATCH OUT FOR (Language, Big / Sensitive Topics, Outdated Concepts):

• Lucy’s mom died of a blood clot while on a boating expedition, when Lucy was 7.
• Fred’s accident happens when a group of teenagers drink and dip in an out of town area (where swimming is forbidden) in the middle of the night. Fred and Lucy are the youngest – she pleads with Fred to not jump.
• Lucy’s dad is the rescue diver who finds Fred in the quarry, too late. In addition to a broken foot as a result of the failed rescue, he also struggles with immense guilt for not saving Fred.
• Lucy is unable to swallow food for weeks after Fred’s tragedy, due to stress. A nurse teaches her how to cope with the anxiety.

CONVERSATION STARTERS

• Why is it surprising that a great white showed up in Rockport? What could have attracted it, according to Helen’s research?
• What do you learn about Fred’s personality that makes him a unique, interesting friend to be around?
• Why was it special for Lucy to take the trip up to Maine? What did she find and learn there?
• How did you feel when you learned where Lucy’s mermaid pendant came from and what it meant to Fred? How do you think Lucy felt?
• What did you think of the two sharks that travel together, Helen and Fred? Why is that important to the end of the book?