The Shark Caller

I have been reading this with my 10 year-old. The writer is exceptional and this book is fantastic, handels difficult themes with unbelievable subtlety and insightfulness.

I was not expecting to have to read this to myself but with the current situation regarding lockdown, we have had no young (9 year old) visitors to read it to. I was glad, however, to have the chance to read it to the end. I should think that The Shark Caller is written for emotionally toughened teenagers but I would be a little worried about the book's preoccupation with the death of parents and then to find out at the end that the main character was a ghost all along might just cancel some of the joy accumulated from the rest of the book - not in an emotional way but in a literary way - you know, like when a fantastic drama is played out '... and then he woke up!' or '... but it turned out she was a ghost all along!' I just feel that it is a slightly lazy writer's device to allow a certain amount of contrivance.Now, the above stream of consciousness was written immediately after finishing the book when I was most disappointed. Up until the ending, even with the death of loved ones cropping up from time to time, I was thoroughly enjoying the feeling I had in my yester-years when finding the perfect book. And the large print was balm to my old eyes. I could imagine young readers enjoying the evolving friendship of the two characters at front of stage and in particular, some of the later wisdom imparted between them. Also, during our colder UK months, it was warming to imagine the hot sun beating down on the sandy beach on which a large part of the story is played out.So, in conclusion, I enjoyed The Shark Caller until the last handful of pages where the ending was revealed but I wonder about the response to the story's theme of death by some readers.

I chose this book after seeing so much hype about it on Twitter. I was not disappointed. You will not be disappointed. This book will appeal to adults as well as readers aged 9+.Blue Wing is a young girl who is desperate for her guardian, waspapi, to teach her to be a shark caller. In her young life she has experienced the devastating loss of her parents and she puts her energy into her mission to be a shark caller. Why is this so important to her? Will she get her wish?New arrivals on the island are young Maple and her father. Maple's father is very happy that Blue Wing is there to show his daughter the island and keep her company. After a rocky start, Blue Wing teaches Maple the traditional ways and how they need to be protected and in return Maple teaches Blue Wing her modern ways.The author totally immerses the reader in unspoilt, traditional Papua New Guinea with use of the Pidgin English throughout the story.The twist at the end of the story was a real tear-jerking revelation. This magnificent story that will stay with me.

This book has many twists turn, adventure and even a touch of magic! It is my absulute favourite book. This book will be great for people who like adventure and mystery. I also recommend it if you know someone who lost a loved one.It's just breathtaking!!!

What a beautiful, profoundly moving and lyrical book! Set on an island of shimmering seas, menacing sharkd, untamed forests and mountains, ancient traditions and beliefs confront and weave with the push of the new. This is the story of a blossoming friendship born mistrust and forged in empathy, adventure and shared experiences of grief and loss, and its power to 'repair emotional damage'. With a surprising ending which will melt your heart! A story for everyone, not just for children!