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paperbacksandpines's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Wow. Wow. I've never read a book by Shannon Doleski before but I'm definitely open to picking up more from her.
Doleski does not manage to shy away from themes of domestic violence and all of the fall out that results from it. Not only does eighth grader Mary Murphy live her life in perpetual fear of her father but the cycle of abuse is further perpetuated by a mother that makes excuses for her father and blames everyone else for his choices. In addition, Mary's home life has affected her school work and her relationship with her best friend, whose mother has called CPS on Mary's father before. Mary's friendship is on the rocks and she has no one she can trust and confide in.
What Mary does have, though, is her childhood hero, Joan of Arc. She also has an admirer who would do anything just for a chance to hang out with her. And it turns out that she isn't as alone as she thought she was. She has a whole host of people who care about her and want her to have happiness, a concept she never believed she was entitled to before.
Although this book has low lows, it also has highs and readers are never left with a feeling of hopelessness and despair. Doleski seems to tackle serious issues with a deftness that less talented readers would lack.
Doleski does not manage to shy away from themes of domestic violence and all of the fall out that results from it. Not only does eighth grader Mary Murphy live her life in perpetual fear of her father but the cycle of abuse is further perpetuated by a mother that makes excuses for her father and blames everyone else for his choices. In addition, Mary's home life has affected her school work and her relationship with her best friend, whose mother has called CPS on Mary's father before. Mary's friendship is on the rocks and she has no one she can trust and confide in.
What Mary does have, though, is her childhood hero, Joan of Arc. She also has an admirer who would do anything just for a chance to hang out with her. And it turns out that she isn't as alone as she thought she was. She has a whole host of people who care about her and want her to have happiness, a concept she never believed she was entitled to before.
Although this book has low lows, it also has highs and readers are never left with a feeling of hopelessness and despair. Doleski seems to tackle serious issues with a deftness that less talented readers would lack.
readinglover22's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
story_sanctuary's review against another edition
5.0
The cover and description of MARY UNDERWATER totally had me hooked. I am super interested in stories that show young women and STEM, and a girl building a submarine seemed too cool to pass up.
This book has so many things I love. I love Mary’s character. The way her timidity blossoms into confidence. The celebration of St. Joan of Arc both in her narrative and in biographical snippets between chapters. I love the relationships between Mary and her teachers, Sister Eu and Mr. Fen, and her mentor, Ford. I love the way her aunt steps into her life, building a safe relationship, and encouraging Mary, but also talking straight.
I read MARY UNDERWATER in one sitting because I couldn’t stop. Without meaning to, I pretty much one-more-chaptered myself all the way to the end and I have zero regrets about that. It’s a heartwarming, inspiring story, with a strong, positive representation of both women and faith. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that combination done so well before, and I really, truly loved it.
I think readers who enjoyed THE QUEEN BEE AND ME by Gillian McDunn or CHIRP by Kate Messner absolutely need to read this one.
This book has so many things I love. I love Mary’s character. The way her timidity blossoms into confidence. The celebration of St. Joan of Arc both in her narrative and in biographical snippets between chapters. I love the relationships between Mary and her teachers, Sister Eu and Mr. Fen, and her mentor, Ford. I love the way her aunt steps into her life, building a safe relationship, and encouraging Mary, but also talking straight.
I read MARY UNDERWATER in one sitting because I couldn’t stop. Without meaning to, I pretty much one-more-chaptered myself all the way to the end and I have zero regrets about that. It’s a heartwarming, inspiring story, with a strong, positive representation of both women and faith. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that combination done so well before, and I really, truly loved it.
I think readers who enjoyed THE QUEEN BEE AND ME by Gillian McDunn or CHIRP by Kate Messner absolutely need to read this one.
aliebreads5's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
i_will_papercut_a_bish's review against another edition
5.0
Mary Murphy is a breath of honest fresh air, and I enjoyed Shannon Deleski's frank, upper middle grade writing style that (for me) was reminiscent of Judy Bloome's unflinching stories about very real struggle and adolescence. Mary Underwater is a story about finding confidence in the middle of a bad family situation, self-compassion, learning to identify and trust safe people and found-family, and building dreams and ambitions even while others systematically try to destroy them. Every classroom would benefit from this gentle, frank book.
This book might appeal strongly to readers who aren't quite ready for YA, but crave a slightly older-sounding style in a contemporary, non-fantasy setting. (It was an instant hit in my house.)
This book might appeal strongly to readers who aren't quite ready for YA, but crave a slightly older-sounding style in a contemporary, non-fantasy setting. (It was an instant hit in my house.)
lauriehnatiuk's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to the author and publisher for sending an ARC for #bookportage to review.
Mary Murphy has a lot on her plate. Her abusive father is back out of prison, the family is struggling to make ends meet, an aunt she doesn’t know wants to meet and she lives in a seaside town and she cannot swim. All of that is going to change though when she decides that after she and newly formed science partner Kip ace a presentation on submersive devices, she is going to build a submarine with Kip and drive it across the Chesapeake Bay.
Throughout the story Mary has to deal with the violence of her father and hiding it from the community including Kip. Mary is able to cope and deal with her struggles by using her role model Joan of Arc to get her through the tough times. The process of building the submarine and the friendship turned into romance is authentic and will engage readers. I liked both Mary and Kip who provides some comic relief but is there to support Mary. The all too real situations of Mary’s father and his drinking and violence will unfortunately be familiar to some readers and it is an important read for those individuals to see themselves and how Mary copes but also how others such as Kip and her aunt support her so readers can also be a support to those in need. Another important addition to a topic that is not dealt with enough for middle grade readers. Look for it April 7/20.
Mary Murphy has a lot on her plate. Her abusive father is back out of prison, the family is struggling to make ends meet, an aunt she doesn’t know wants to meet and she lives in a seaside town and she cannot swim. All of that is going to change though when she decides that after she and newly formed science partner Kip ace a presentation on submersive devices, she is going to build a submarine with Kip and drive it across the Chesapeake Bay.
Throughout the story Mary has to deal with the violence of her father and hiding it from the community including Kip. Mary is able to cope and deal with her struggles by using her role model Joan of Arc to get her through the tough times. The process of building the submarine and the friendship turned into romance is authentic and will engage readers. I liked both Mary and Kip who provides some comic relief but is there to support Mary. The all too real situations of Mary’s father and his drinking and violence will unfortunately be familiar to some readers and it is an important read for those individuals to see themselves and how Mary copes but also how others such as Kip and her aunt support her so readers can also be a support to those in need. Another important addition to a topic that is not dealt with enough for middle grade readers. Look for it April 7/20.
danyell919's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the submarine and Mary & Kip’s sweet relationship! Her dad made me so angry though. I think this book did a good job showing what it’s like to live in an abusive household and how hard it is to escape.
the_fabric_of_words's review against another edition
5.0
First of all, this book deals with a character who's being physically and verbally abused. Her story is one of amazing resilience, determination, finding allies and being brave in standing up to her abuser, her father. Pull up a box of tissues, because within 20 pages I was balling like an infant and I couldn't stop the tears. No child deserves to be treated like this, ever. No excuses.
Mary Murphy's father's been in prison, and while he's gone, she's blossomed. She can actually breathe. She takes refuge in the story of Joan of Arc. She and a boy from school plan a science project, to build a submarine. But once her father's out and home again, she's quickly unable to escape.
She and the boy get caught trying to sneak a peek of a decommissioned sub on a nearby base, as a "first date," of all things, and her father beats her. Bruises her eye and her abdomen. She misses a few days of school, pulls her hair over her face and says she "fell." She fails a test. Her best friend takes her aside and covers the purple in makeup, but it's still obvious what her father's done. The principal calls her in and has her talk to her social worker. This has happened before.
There's a kind aunt, who's married to another woman, that her father doesn't like. Still, the aunt takes Mary under her wing at the local library and gets Mary a summer job once school's out.
Mary needs the money, because she's sinking all of it into her escape: an actual sub she's building with help from a retired sub engineer out of a used propane tank.
I won't spoil how it ends, or how she gets away. And please, please read the author's note in the back, about how dangerous it is to confront your abuser. Escape, but don't do what Mary does, by going back into that environment. Ever. Once your'e out, stay out.
I would say enjoy, but it's not that kind of book. Instead, be thankful everyday if you live in a safe, secure home and know that not everyone enjoys that same privilege.
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Mary Murphy's father's been in prison, and while he's gone, she's blossomed. She can actually breathe. She takes refuge in the story of Joan of Arc. She and a boy from school plan a science project, to build a submarine. But once her father's out and home again, she's quickly unable to escape.
She and the boy get caught trying to sneak a peek of a decommissioned sub on a nearby base, as a "first date," of all things, and her father beats her. Bruises her eye and her abdomen. She misses a few days of school, pulls her hair over her face and says she "fell." She fails a test. Her best friend takes her aside and covers the purple in makeup, but it's still obvious what her father's done. The principal calls her in and has her talk to her social worker. This has happened before.
There's a kind aunt, who's married to another woman, that her father doesn't like. Still, the aunt takes Mary under her wing at the local library and gets Mary a summer job once school's out.
Mary needs the money, because she's sinking all of it into her escape: an actual sub she's building with help from a retired sub engineer out of a used propane tank.
I won't spoil how it ends, or how she gets away. And please, please read the author's note in the back, about how dangerous it is to confront your abuser. Escape, but don't do what Mary does, by going back into that environment. Ever. Once your'e out, stay out.
I would say enjoy, but it's not that kind of book. Instead, be thankful everyday if you live in a safe, secure home and know that not everyone enjoys that same privilege.
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
sab_reads14's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Domestic abuse