Formerly Shark Girl

Shark Girl #2

by Kelly Bingham

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.

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary, Novel In Verse, Poetry, Fiction, Romance

304 pages, Hardcover

First published May 14, 2013

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 Georgia.

Reviews

[Liza Wiemer]

This is the second book out of two. The first novel is SHARK GIRL, which I definitely recommend. For my review, look here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Jane's story continues and it definitely does not disappoint. In this addition, Jane continues to struggle with fantom pain in her limb. It's so bad, she has to make more tough decisions about her body. She's faced with many challenges like trying to build her artistic skills up with her left hand to the same high standard she was once able to produce when she had her right hand. Her friends are coming to terms with her changes. As Jane begins to get used to her new reality, her widowed mom begins to reestablish her own "personal" life. In addition, Jane finds some really nice guys who see the "whole" Jane. Her relationship with Max starts to bloom in this novel, much to the delight of readers.

Things I loved about this novel:
1. Jane's struggle and determination to improve her art.
2. Her relationship with Justin, the boy who she had met in the hospital in book 1.
3. Jane's friends and family.
4. Facing fears.
5. Max!

I highly recommend these two novels. They're perfect for reluctant readers who will get reeled into the story immediately!

[Caitie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! It had lots of detail. When she had to pick art or nursing, it took her a really long time to decide.

[Caitlin Hess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how this book was written in the style of a poem. It made it easier to read. However, this was not my favorite book because I found it boring at times and I did not want to keep reading it.

[Riley Rogers · Rating 1 out of 5]

A bland, unsatisfying conclusion to a novel told entirely in verse. I didn't feel invested in her story, and the ending didn't feel remotely satisfying.

[Maggie Ollmann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Personal response
I think the book Formally Shark Girl is a good book. It is good that Jane found her way after she lost an arm, I think that is a good thing she did not give up on what she wants in her life. This book I think shows never give up even once something bad happens.
Plot
Jane is trying to figure out who she is since she lost her arm from the shark attack. She feels she is not good at anything anymore. Jane can't do her art as well as she used to be able to do, but she is working on it. Jane also sounders since she lost her arm can she be a nurse. Jane applied to collages, one for the arts and one school for nursing. She is not sure what she wants to do yet, but she knows it will be art or nursing. Jane went to some workshops at the hospital and that helped her get some confidence in herself. She was able to preform CPR, during a workshop, better then some of the other girls in the class. Jane was doing good in school, but she was not doing so great in science. Mathew, the boy she is starting to spend time with, says he would be her tutor. On Jane's way home she feels excited that Mathew will be coming to her house. Jane started to feel pain in her arm, so her mom takes her to the doctor. The doctor tells them if the treatment dose not work, then she would need to have surgery. She counties on with her life day by day, Jane has lots of fun with Max. Max is also able to help her with her studies. Jane gets faced with her fear, the ocean. The last time she was in the ocean, she had lost her arm. Her friend wants her to get in the water. Max is starting to get her over her fear of the ocean. He has gotten her in the water, and she has been scared doing so, but he is helping her.

Characterization
Jane
Jane is feeling confused on what she wants to do with her life, and how she will get through her life with one arm. She has fears that since she has one arm she can't do what she truly loves to do, which is art and taking care of others. Jane gains some of her confidence after a workshop she went to at the hospital. Jane is starting to feel good about herself, then she feels pain in her arm. She learns she might need surgery. Jane starts to feel happy agin around Max. When she is faced with the ocean she is nervous. Jane is overcoming her fear of the ocean.

Recommendation
I would recommend this book to teenage girls. They would be able to read that, yes, bad things happen in life, but don't let that bad thing effect you. It can be something that bothers you, like loosing an arm, or loosing vision. That may be important in your life but do not let it able you as a person. That is a good message that I think teenage girls could gain from this book.

[Reese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Formerly Shark Girl
Kelly Bingham
This book was about a girl and her life after she got attacked by a shark. She makes a bucket list for her plans to do before College. She can't decide if she wants to be a artist or a nurse. Over the time she spent during senior year, she finally decides what she wants to do.
I thought this book was similar to the Soul Surfer. The book got very interesting when she ran into the boy she used to like. This was toward the middle of the book. After that she really started getting into the most important parts of the book (choosing a college, going back to the water for the first time,etc).
I would recommend Formerly Shark Girl to girls ages 10-14. If they are interested in fiction books.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid sequel to one of my favorite YA novels, Shark Girl.

[VictoriaM · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the book was really meaningful and this girl with one arm proved that life isn't easy without one arm but you can still live and do it. You can still have a nice time and succeed.

[Mermaid · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am all ears,
though as you can see, have armed
Kelly Bingham, Formally Shark Girl (Shark Girl #2)

I knew that when picking up Formerly Shark Girl I wouldn’t like it. However, I started the series and felt the need to finish it out. Maybe, I would even like this book more than Shark Girl!

No. I didn’t.

I found this book to be incredibly easy and boring. I am not even sure of the reasoning behind another book. The characters did have growth but not enough for me to say... “Yes! That was a nice wrap up for Jane and her story.” The writing was in verse and the characters were one dimensional at best.


Jane, like every other senior about to graduate high school is a little bit of a whiner. There are so many people that would love to go to college but because of more damaging disabilities are not able to. Jane gets into all of the schools she applies to and still has a pity party for herself?! Stop being so spoiled and be grateful and appreciative!


In the end if you aren’t in the age range of 9-12 I would stay away from this book it will only make you realize how much time you have wasted reading this book.

[Booknerdreads Grace Haddad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was as amazing if not better then the first book! It was a perfect ending as well. Throughout most of the book I was hoping she would choose nursing and this was because I myself am bias, I had a transplant and that lead me to want to help others and I’m now currently becoming a nurse, but near the end as she steered towards art I did too. I loved that the author took this unexpected route and let the character do what she’s afraid to, the author also let the reader feel what Jane felt and want her to be an artist as well. I loved that while Jane got closure and happiness and got back to her normal life, the expected aspect was that her journey with her injury was not over. That was realistic in a perfect way. As a senior myself, I shed some tears as I felt what Jane felt about moving on in your life to the next step. I loved every character in this book and how they contributed. The book itself was lovely as well, it had a type of innocence in it that was so beautiful and rare in a YA novel. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a book with purpose!

[Sydney Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book, I found I really enjoyed it’s highly descriptive, unique format.

Formerly Shark Girl traces the story of a girl name Jane. In a previous book, Jane had been attacked by a shark, which resulted in her losing an arm. In this book, Jane faces the challenges that come with being a senior and having big dreams, but being limited by having only one arm. Jane has a bucket list, which includes dreams such as applying to nursing and art school, going to prom, and secretly, getting her first kiss.

As I read this book, I became attached to Jane’s character. I could relate with a lot of her feelings, though my circumstances are entirely different. I was happy when she succeeded, and sad when she did not. It was interesting to see her life from her character’s perspective. I learned her true feelings, and I felt her realistic fears.

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn’t super surprising, nor did it have a lot of twists and turns, but it was intriguing and eye-opening.

[Pam LaFollette · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Lines: Over a year ago, I went into the ocean with my whole life planned out, expected, casually tucked between pages of a sketchbook. That all changed in a heartbeat. A shark took my arm and nearly took my life.

She had me at, "Hello."
This story of Jane Atwood, shark bite survivor, is actually the sequel to Shark Girl but I didn't need to read the first story to enjoy the second. And I REALLY enjoyed this story! Told in a series of unrhymed, unmetered poems (free verse), texts, letters, and phone conversations, Jane struggles with choosing between the art career she's always wanted and the nursing career she feels led to follow since recovering from a shark attack.
The unique way this story is told makes it extremely difficult to put down. The free verses flow one into the other as compelling as a thriller and as irresistible as a romance.
It is one of the best books I've ever read.
Note: It is not based on the life of Bethany Hamilton. The loss of a limb to shark attack is the most striking similarity, but aside from that, these are two separate and distinct stories.

[Toby Phillipp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend it to people who like reading something simple that has a story behind it .it is an excellent book to start for a short time because it is easy to read. to people that want to read it go for it the book is a good read.
the book is about a girl going back to the water after she got attacked. she lost an arm after the attack by a shark. she is trying to come back and act normal in her life, trying to learn how to cope and get used to having and using one arm for tasks. she has to get used to using her left arm because she uses her right hand the most.
the author did an excellent job of putting a bad thing and making it light-hearted. she did a good job of putting a picture in your mind. something she did badly was it was confusing to find the chapters on the pages. it would have been better if there was more context on the shark attack. the author wanted to reach a bigger audience because the words are bigger.

[Mandy Quarantillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I didn't finish this book.
It wavered between art or nursing for the main character, who had lost most of an arm as a result of a shark attack while surfing. I also didn't know this was the 2nd of two books and there was a first one. Good news, I didn't feel like I missed out on much.

The ENTIRE time I was just mentally screaming at Jane "ART THERAPY! GO INTO ART THERAPY!" It seemed like the best of both worlds, being able to go into a helping, medical-adjacent profession while still getting to do the art she loves. Art therapy isn't a well known profession, I only know about it because I'm chronically ill myself and experienced it first-hand.

For anyone else torn between a medical career and the passion of art, or theatre, etc like Jane: There are ways to do BOTH! Art and Drama Therapy are amazing fields and they deserve more people knowing about them.

[K Gover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Verse and letter text structure about the life of Jane Arrowood AFTER she got bit by a shark. Although trying to cope with every day life as a teenager, deciding where she should go to college, Jane is also working through some repercussions of her amputation. Shooting pain and lots of therapies, acupuncture are not resolving her discomfort. We learn along side Jane of the many letter writing fans that see her as an inspiration and are curious about her life "now." We see her navigate, prom, first kisses and crushes. There is a backdrop of sadness and loss within her group of friends that shares an inside look of her relationships.

Recommend: grade 6 +
Topics: physical disabilities, perseverance, life decisions

[Mikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very interesting book. I personally really enjoyed reading it. Once I started reading it, I didn't want to stop. At times in the book, you can relate with what she is going through.You can also feel her pain. He love life is interesting. Also learning about what she is going to do for the rest of her life is nice to know. I personally just really liked this book. I'm not really sure why but it was fun to read. Reading about how she is amazing at art and helps out with kinds is so sweet. Her concerning her fear and getting past a huge barrier was so sweet to see. Max and her seem perfect together. This book was just great. Can't wait for others to read it.

[Venessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all the symbolism in this book, that she finally, finally lets go of everything that has been holding her back from pursuing what she really wants to do. It’s also incredibly relatable because who hasn’t felt the pressure of doing something other than the thing we love just to please others? Aren’t we all afraid of disappointing the people we care about? It’s such a deep and relatable story ❤️

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like I was obligated to read this because I read the first book, but it took me a while to find the second book, and then it took a long time to actually get through it. This book tied up some loose ends from the first book and didn't focus much on the other than the relationships in Jane's life. I'm glad I read it, but I think it would have been better for me if I had read it sooner after I finished the first book.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

i definitely didn’t like this one as much as the first one, mostly because the plot wasn’t quite as compelling for me. in this one, jane is struggling with deciding whether or not to pursue art school or nursing school. i found her worries and struggles very relatable, it’s a topic that anyone can understand. i also loved the style of writing, something about it being poetry made it easier to read. i finished both of the books in one sitting!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decided to read the second book to just complete the story. Still not liking the format, but it wasn’t as annoying to me as the first book. Definitely young adult/teen audience, so I would not read any additional books (if there were one) however slightly more interesting as the main character is now trying to figure out which college to go to, and which career path (art, her true love or medicine). Super fast read.

[Abigail Cabrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it was so impacting and gave a lot of questions. I loved the way it ended and I am kind of sad I have finished this book. I mostly liked the fact that this girl had one day that really changed her life and she had to do something about it. I liked how relate able it was and I wish there was more to read.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this one even more than the original Shark Girl. More of the story of Jane's relationship with the mysterious Max, the little boy, Justin, and her family and friends and teachers. Plus, we get to see what path Jane chooses for her life going forward. What she ultimately decides is what I was hoping for her. Lovely story with grit and hope and beautiful lyrical language throughout .

[Elizabeth Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful sequel to Shark Girl. It puts the story of a girl recovering from an amputated arm after being bitten by a shark into many short poems. I liked the formatting of some of the poems for emphasis.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ack I didn't know this was a second book! I also didn't know before I started it that it was a poetry book, and I almost stopped reading. But I'm glad I did; it was very sweet, and certainly quick to read.

[Elina J]

Jane learned to make decisions on her own, and not let other people make them for her, even if she has to let them down. Jane wanted to be an artist, but everyone was telling her she could be a great nurse, so she didn't want to let them down.

[Addison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really inspired me to keep going in life, even when there are bumps and hiccups. This book is more than inspiration, it’s a book about a girl who gets all the privileges of being a senior. Yes, there is some romance in the book. Overall this book is an amazing story about life, and you should read it!

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice continuation and ending to the original story. I enjoyed it.

[Wyshona D. Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice continuation of Jane's story.

[Isabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book. I have read it once and I recommend it to every teenage girl who loves the beach or just any ordinary person.
I also recommend the movie on Netflix.

[Shelley Meisel · Rating 5 out of 5]

☺

I enjoyed reading this book just as I did the last. Again once I started it I couldn't put it down. It's an easy and good read.