Shark Girl

Jane Arrowood is a talented teenage artist whose life is bifurcated by a single moment: a shark attack at the beach. The novel follows her through the immediate medical trauma, the adjustment to a prosthetic limb, and the daunting return to high school where she is no longer just Jane, but Shark Girl. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals directly and unflinchingly with the traumatic injury and its long-term consequences. The approach is secular and realistic, focusing on the psychological and social toll rather than a medical procedural. The resolution is hopeful but grounded in the reality that life will never be the same. EMOTIONAL ARC: The arc begins with heavy shock and grief, moving into a stagnant period of depression and anger, before slowly building toward a resilient, hard-won acceptance. It is a transformative journey that mirrors the slow pace of physical rehabilitation. IDEAL READER: A middle or high schooler who is struggling with a major life change or feeling self-conscious after a traumatic event. It is especially resonant for young artists or writers who use creative outlets to process pain. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might see their child withdrawing from friends, hiding their body, or expressing hopelessness after a setback. The trigger is the moment a child says, I cannot do what I used to love anymore. PARENT PREP: Parents should be aware of the intense early scenes describing the hospital and the immediate aftermath of the amputation. It does not require external context but may prompt difficult questions about why bad things happen to good people. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger teens will focus on the scary nature of the attack and the social anxiety of school. Older teens will appreciate the nuanced exploration of identity and the sophisticated verse structure. DIFFERENTIATOR: The use of multi-modal storytelling (letters, clippings, poems) makes the internal experience of trauma feel visceral and multifaceted, setting it apart from standard linear narratives. """