What Were the Shark Attacks of 1916?

What was...?

by Nico Medina, Tim Foley (Illustrator), Who H.Q.

The panic-filled summer of 1916, when multiple deadly shark attacks shocked the nation, is chronicled in this gripping addition to the New York Times Best-Selling What Was? series.

On July 1, 1916, witnesses watched in horror as twenty-eight-year-old Charles Vansant was attacked and killed by a shark in shallow water off Beach Haven, New Jersey—the first recorded shark attack in American history. Scientists claimed a shark could not be responsible, but more deadly attacks soon followed along the Jersey Shore and up the freshwater Matawan Creek, setting off a nationwide panic that led the White House to declare a “War on Sharks.” In this illustrated book, which features 16 pages of black-and-white photographs, readers will learn about the likely culprit (or culprits) in the attacks—the great white shark and the bull shark—and how the bloody summer of 1916 would change how people viewed sharks forever.

Genres: Nonfiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, History, Nature

112 pages, Paperback

Published April 9, 2024

Reviews

[Rachel Cook]

Honestly checked this out just because the title made me so curious, but it was fascinating!

[Anna Cavallo · Rating 5 out of 5]

On July 1, 1916, witnesses watched in horror as twenty-eight-year-old Charles Vansant was attacked and killed by a shark in shallow water off Beach Haven, New Jersey—the first recorded shark attack in American history. Scientists claimed a shark could not be responsible, but more deadly attacks soon followed along the Jersey Shore and up the freshwater Matawan Creek, setting off a nationwide panic that led the White House to declare a “War on Sharks.” In this illustrated book, which features 16 pages of black-and-white photographs, readers will learn about the likely culprit (or culprits) in the attacks—the great white shark and the bull shark—and how the bloody summer of 1916 would change how people viewed sharks forever.

[Zan Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

On July 1, 1916, witnesses watched in horror as twenty-three-year-old Charles Vansant was attacked and killed by a shark in shallow water at Beach Haven, New Jersey--the first recorded shark attack in American history. Scientists claimed a shark could not be responsible, but more deadly attacks soon followed along the Jersey Shore and up the freshwater Matawan Creek, setting off a nationwide panic that led the White House to declare a war on sharks."

[Ashton Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this book advertised in the children’s section of our library but was so interested I had to check it out. I enjoyed learning about these attacks and appreciated the historical context that was presented (polio sending folks out to the beaches, threats of uboats more worrisome than sharks, etc).

[sharkysyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love sharks

/ #audiobook

[Amy Hesterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt my heart racing a little bit when reading this. And I had no idea there were some freshwater sharks as well. These books are always so well done!

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series!

[Yz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this before bed gave me nightmares 😂

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating!

[Elexndra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Library borrow

[Karthika · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is something new to me. I thought the movie 'Jaws' was fictional. But it is based on this real life incident.

[David Rough · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good report of an unknown series of events to me. I thought it was a bit too graphic for young readers. The deaths of several individuals, including a few children, were chronicled.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was interesting and I’m guessing factual. If this information is so important, why is it that I never heard of it before?

[Kevin Koppelmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish it had been a bit longer with some more information about the attacks.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my son and now I can't stop telling people facts about the Shark attacks of 1916. I think I liked it more than he did.