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sammykom's review against another edition
3.0
Cute summer reading book - finished just in time for back to school!
agathe_athena's review against another edition
4.0
Gayle was an all-star pitcher, until an on-field collision cost her a broken arm. Now benched, she is not looking forward to a summer with nothing to do. But then a big-time Hollywood film crew comes to Martha’s Vineyard to shoot a movie with a large mechanical shark, and Gayle makes friends with Elijah who wants to be a filmmaker himself. They decide to make a film for the youth film contest about an interesting local story. Maddie, an odd kid who lives in the lighthouse, tells them the story of the Atwood Shark, and agrees to help them if they find out what really happened to Captain Atwood. But as they are putting their film together, they find that not all locals want the story told.
This was a fun graphic novel about summer, friendship, story-telling, and movie-making. Well-crafted story and well told, with very relatable characters and conflicts.
This was a fun graphic novel about summer, friendship, story-telling, and movie-making. Well-crafted story and well told, with very relatable characters and conflicts.
librarianpeter's review against another edition
4.0
Great slice-of-life graphic novel that had elements of Scooby-Doo, pre-teen angst, and some supernatural elements! Also, the art style reminded me of 90s cartoon Pepper Ann.
oliviakt07's review against another edition
3.0
I was not entirely sure what to expect from Ira Marck's, "Shark Summer". A graphic novel that is equal parts coming of age, as well as nostalgia for the summer blockbusters of our youth, "Shark Summer" is amusing both for the plot and the illustrations.
There were times where the plot seemed to jolt forward, much like a well-loved VHS tape, and either dialogue or action sequences were skipped. It caused the climax of the story to feel disjointed and or escalated, and not for the benefit of the reader. Yes, there were hints along the way as to the true nature of Martha's Vineyard's legend of the phantom shark. However, one feels as though it could have benefited from a steadier flow of sequencing.
Those observations aside, Marck's numerous homages to the 1975 film, "Jaws", were a delight. Whether you are a film buff, or only screen the movie on AMC during the Fourth of July weekend, you will recognize the finely placed details throughout the crew's journey around the island. My personal favorite involves a certain, top-secret prop.
Given Marcks's admiration of cinema, I am looking forward to his 2022 graphic novel, "Spirit Week", which takes inspiration from the 1980 film, "The Shining". It also appears that Elijah makes a cameo in this GN, and if so I am certain he will discover haunting gems for his cinematography reel.
There were times where the plot seemed to jolt forward, much like a well-loved VHS tape, and either dialogue or action sequences were skipped. It caused the climax of the story to feel disjointed and or escalated, and not for the benefit of the reader. Yes, there were hints along the way as to the true nature of Martha's Vineyard's legend of the phantom shark. However, one feels as though it could have benefited from a steadier flow of sequencing.
Those observations aside, Marck's numerous homages to the 1975 film, "Jaws", were a delight. Whether you are a film buff, or only screen the movie on AMC during the Fourth of July weekend, you will recognize the finely placed details throughout the crew's journey around the island. My personal favorite involves a certain, top-secret prop.
Given Marcks's admiration of cinema, I am looking forward to his 2022 graphic novel, "Spirit Week", which takes inspiration from the 1980 film, "The Shining". It also appears that Elijah makes a cameo in this GN, and if so I am certain he will discover haunting gems for his cinematography reel.
yoteach8724's review against another edition
4.0
I actually liked this one. The story is engaging, the art is unique. It's also pretty thick for a GN.
tbierney's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
zabcia's review against another edition
3.0
78%
"not my job to deal with real. besides, can't always trust reality to act the part"
* I like the mystery aspect, and it progressed quite nicely, but it did feel a bit incomplete. I get that they want to focus on character development or whatever, but that doesn't necessarily make it exclusive to the plot, nor does it strengthen the message of the importance of friendship.
* Really liked the map, especially since they were going all over the island. It was a little confusing, but the funnest maps are.
* Appreciated the inclusion of a deaf character without making it some sort of big deal - it felt very natural to everyday life. Martha's Vineyard has a history of congregation of deaf people on the island, and excluding them would've felt wrong.
"not my job to deal with real. besides, can't always trust reality to act the part"
* I like the mystery aspect, and it progressed quite nicely, but it did feel a bit incomplete.
Spoiler
Like why didn't they go back to the cemetery to see if they could finish digging up the headstone? And I'm not entirely sure why they were so against "bringing Atwood back", whatever that means - I guess they were scared of his ghost? What was up with that anyways? Also, they totally left it hanging with their film mentor, Charlie, which was really very sucky of them."* Really liked the map, especially since they were going all over the island. It was a little confusing, but the funnest maps are.
* Appreciated the inclusion of a deaf character without making it some sort of big deal - it felt very natural to everyday life. Martha's Vineyard has a history of congregation of deaf people on the island, and excluding them would've felt wrong.
hdbblog's review against another edition
4.0
What a fun summer read! I’m always a fan of graphic novels, but I’m always particularly excited when I get asked to review one that is aimed at the Middle Grade audience. It’s fun to see how the author and illustrator work together to tell a story that will resonate with a younger audience. Or, you know, with an audience who just loves this stories hahaha. In this case I think that they hit the nail right on the head!
Gayle Briar is in a mood. She lost her star pitcher status to a broken arm, her mother moved her to a new home, and now even their dream plans for moving there have fallen through. It’s no wonder that Gayle’s character isn’t pleased at the beginning of the story. Funnily enough though, I found myself understanding her completely. Change is hard and, as my grandpa used to say, it often comes in waves. How do you hold your head above the water until the wave passes?
Lucky for Gayle, there is a movie being filmed on the island and getting close to that opens an adventure like nothing else. I wish that I could share more, but I dare not spoil anything! What I will say is that this reminded me a lot of all my favorite books as a kid. Filled with mysteries, a little darkness, and the kind of friendship that only blooms in the face of something a little scary.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this! If you’re looking for something fun for a summer pool read, or looking for a good read for your kid’s summer list, pick this up! The illustrations are vibrant, and convey the story so well. I highly recommend you give it a shot!
Gayle Briar is in a mood. She lost her star pitcher status to a broken arm, her mother moved her to a new home, and now even their dream plans for moving there have fallen through. It’s no wonder that Gayle’s character isn’t pleased at the beginning of the story. Funnily enough though, I found myself understanding her completely. Change is hard and, as my grandpa used to say, it often comes in waves. How do you hold your head above the water until the wave passes?
Lucky for Gayle, there is a movie being filmed on the island and getting close to that opens an adventure like nothing else. I wish that I could share more, but I dare not spoil anything! What I will say is that this reminded me a lot of all my favorite books as a kid. Filled with mysteries, a little darkness, and the kind of friendship that only blooms in the face of something a little scary.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this! If you’re looking for something fun for a summer pool read, or looking for a good read for your kid’s summer list, pick this up! The illustrations are vibrant, and convey the story so well. I highly recommend you give it a shot!
katiewrites's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5