INCREDIBLE. Poignant and lyrical and beautiful, it's my favourite of Kiran's books so far and that is saying something. Tom's stunning artwork just brings it to a whole other level - Cat Doyle Julia and the Shark is deep, beautiful and true. The art shines and the writing soars. A classic from cover to cover. - Eoin Colfer Julia's voice is instantly engaging as we go on a journey with her family to Unst, part of the Shetland Islands off Scotland, in search of a rare and very special shark. Das Thema um mentale Gesundheit fand ich wirklich richtig gut geschrieben und mit Respekt behandelt. There are so many quotable lines right from the first chapter. I was itching to spread some Kiran Millwood Hargrave magic lines but I was reading an advance reader copy so had to control myself.

Furthermore, Tom de Freston's illustrations perfectly capture the atmosphere of the story and writing style. Julia is 9, but talks like a 15 year old and is more intelligent and knows more facts than the average adult. But then, her relationship with her parents is very much the kind of relationship a 9 year old would have with her parents. I appreciate the multicultural representation and I love the young characters so much. They seem so real! Their voices represent their actual ages quite accurately and I applaud the author for developing these characters so convincingly.

About Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Although my expectations where high, I'm happy to say that this story met them head on! It's one of those stories that transcends its age-demographic and moves straight into instant-classic territory. It's emotional journey for all ages, and honestly the kind of book I hope to see parents read, by themselves, or preferable together with their child. The story is a wonderful starting-point for meaningful conversations, yet stands powerful enough on its own not to require explanation for its emotional resonance. When her father is required to repair an old lighthouse on a remote island, Julia finds herself on a strange and magical summer holiday. Her mother becomes increasingly determined to find the great Greenland shark – an awesome yet elusive creature that soon fills Julia’s thoughts as well. But when her mother’s determination tips over into obsession, Julia is forced to dive into an adventure with hidden depths and turbulent emotional currents which threatens to submerge them all. In her first collaboration on a novel with her artist husband, Tom de Freston, Kiran Millwood Hargrave — the author of The Girl of Ink & Stars, The Island at the End of Everything and The Way Past Winter — has taken her distinctive, lyrical style far north to the Shetland Islands. A truly beautiful book, with text and illustrations in perfect harmony. A book to treasure! - Jacqueline Wilson I fell in love with the tale itself, the setting (I do love a lighthouse!), the characters and the little details - it's a beautiful, forceful storm of a book - Emma Carroll, author of Letters from the Lighthouse

Julia woont gedurende één zomer op een Schots eiland waar haar moeder op zoek gaat naar een zeldzame Groenlandse haai. De enthousiaste en vrolijke emoties maken ineens plaats voor wanhoop en leegte. Aan het begin van het boek vertelt Julia al dat haar moeder meer is dan de getallenreeks op een polsbandje, maar getallen zeggen niets over wie haar moeder is. En woorden zeggen ook niet altijd alles. Ze verloor bijna haar moeder, maar op welke manier is voor geen enkele lezer duidelijk. A mesmerising story of a family, a lighthouse and a quest to find the elusive Greenland shark written by Kiran Millwood Hargrave and illustrated by Tom de Freston. ( Publisher:Hachette Children’s Group). A gorgeous (both visually and content-wise), heart-rending story. Think this is my favourite middle grade novel I have read so far. The topic of mental health is discussed in such a realistic, open way and although this straightforwardness made the story feel very intense, I think the fact that there is no sugarcoating or stigmatisation of mental health is going to be helpful to any child (and even adults) reading this story. Le cuesta arrancar pero es para que entendamos todo el proceso que vive la familia. El libro esta bien, sin mas.

What starts out as an adventure and a few quirky weeks of living in a lighthouse soon turns dark. Why? Well, I don't want to spoil too much but her mother's obsession with the shark and mental health issues take center stage here. Though science and the importance of nature for us humans are also explored in a very nice (non-preachy) way. Although the themes are very different, this reminded me a little about one of my all-time favourite books A Monster Calls, with its honest and heartwrenching exploration of a difficult theme through the eyes of a child, coupled with hauntingly beautiful illustrations. That comparison alone is some of the highest praise I can give a book, if you know my feelings on the former. Extra credit goes to Tom de Freston, who's credited as the secondary author, but whose illustrations add an integral level of depth to the story. Toch voelt het alsof ik Julia en de haai nog te kort doe met dit stukje tekst. De vriendschap tussen Kin en Julia benoem ik niet echt, maar is meer dan met elkaar omgaan. Ieder een eigen achtergrond en ervaringen. De een vindt rust en houvast aan feitjes (je moet regels hebben zoals zwaartekracht, anders zweef je voor je het weet van de rand van de wereld af), de ander in de heldere sterrennacht. Twee walvissen op dezelfde golflengte. The second half broke me. It’s going to be a while while Julia and I are going to grieve about someone we love.