Formerly Shark Girl - Kelly Bingham

4.5 Stars!

ABOUT THE BOOK -

Jane Arrowood, otherwise known as Shark Girl, has been living with just one arm for over a year. Now she’s searching for a new normal.
It’s been a year since the shark attack that took Jane’s arm, and with it, everything she used to take for granted. Her dream of becoming an artist is on the line, and everything now seems out of reach, including her gorgeous, kind tutor, Max Shannon. While a perfectly nice guy from her science class is clearly interested in Jane — removing her fear that no one ever would want a one-armed girl — Jane can’t stop thinking about Max. But is his interest romantic? Or does he just feel sorry for her? Formerly Shark Girl picks up where Kelly Bingham’s artful, honest debut novel left off, following Jane as she deals with a career choice (should she "give back" by trying to become a nurse, or is art an equally valid calling?) along with family changes and her first real romance — all while remembering who she was before she was Shark Girl and figuring out who she is now.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR -

Kelly Bingham is the author of the award-winning novel Shark Girl as well as Z Is for Moose, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. Recipient of an MFA in writing for children and young adults, Kelly Bingham lives in Ellijay, Georgia. 

MY REVIEW -

I enjoyed this book just as much as the first one "Shark Girl", reviewed - HERE.

As in the first book, this is written in all poetry so it is really easy and quick reading. It is also written in first person, which in this case is great because you really get to see how Jane really feels, from the inside - her heart. These books do not spare any emotion! Of course the first book is more dramatic because it includes the shark attack, but this book is just as emotional and just as heartfelt. 

The character development is excellent (you wouldn't think so being all in poems!) that just shows you how excellent an author Kelly is. How anyone can get to the heart of a teens personality using poems is beyond me.

I think these books are excellent for teenagers to read. They show how an average normal teen girl overcomes extremely abnormal circumstances. Honestly, they really made me feel lucky for who I am and what I have. I can not imagine going through what Jane went through in these books.

I loved this bit of advise -

"Isn't this kind of like what I told Justin?

Little to big? One square at a time?

Guess I need to slow down and listen to my own advise.

Sometimes looking too far ahead can be overwhelming.

Even for someone who thinks she can handle it."

And there are some very dramatic, sad parts -

"So much water.

It stretches out

like a vast desert,

a desert with a wet and rippling

surface.

The sight of it is like a smack in the face;

I have not stood this close to so much water

since that day

nearly two years ago,

when I walked into the ocean a normal girl

and came out forever changed."

 I highly recommend both of these books. Any adult or teen would enjoy them and maybe learn from them. They are very clean, easy reading, very interesting, heartfelt and kind of sad, but - they are also very encouraging!

This was one of my library books of the month.