Sevengill: The Shark and Me

by Don C. Reed, Pamela F. Johnson (Illustrator)

What is it like to swim with a shark every day?

Don C. Reed, head diver at California's Marine World/Africa USA, tells us in this suspenseful account of his experiences with the broadhead sevengilled sharks that lived at the aquarium--in particular the massive female he called Sevengill.

From the moment she arrived, the dangerous Sevengill captured Reed's imagination. She displayed a majestic calm, yet Reed knew her to be one of the most savage predators in the world. At first he kept a way distance as he went about his underwater chores.

Months passed without real trouble, and Reed's initial fear of Sevengill turned to trust. Gradually he and the other divers grew comfortable with the sharks and even began to play with them--until violent events reminded them that sharks are not pets.

Through Reed's fascinating tale, we come to see that sharks are a force of nature that deserve our respect--not the bloodthirsty monsters of movie fame, but fierce and efficient hunters that play a vital role in ocean ecology.

Sevengill: The Shark and Me pulls us right into the water to swim alongside the author and his favorite shark--a gripping story for all fans of true-life nature adventure.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Science Nature

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 12, 1986

Reviews

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book continued my interest in sharks. I read it when I was a kid so I can't say much about the writing or the story but when I try to think of what I read when I was young this pops into my head, which says something! That and Gordan Korman. The emotional attachment to a shark is not an easy topic to write about. I remember that it was handled pretty well, kept in mind the fish's true nature and didn't go all anthropomorphic on us. Kids would learn a lot from this.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book started my fascination with sharks and has always stayed with me!

[Todd Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the few books I read and truly loved as a kid. Stumbled upon this gym again recently. Think 'My Octopus Teacher' documentary but a book - and written decades before about a lesser-known yet unquestionably magnificent species of shark.

[Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a volunteer diver at my local aquaria, I was immediately drawn to this book. Diving in aquariums is not a common topic for many writers, and I was looking forward to this authors story. I too dive with sharks as part of my aquarium diving experience. While never having been in the presence of sevengill sharks, I have enjoyed the company of sawfish, sand tiger, lemon, nurse, black tip, sandbar, and other sharks found in today's aquariums. The book holds up quiet well, having been written in 1982. The personal narrative is something that any aquarium diver today can relate to. I particularly enjoyed the authors personal accounts of his feelings while being in the presence of such powerful animals. I found the book truly enjoyable and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys diving, particularly diving with sharks.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book years ago as a young tomboy. The book said Just for Boys and of course I had to prove that wrong. I loved it, he is a good writer. Not long after that I read an article he wrote about having to swim with a Great White Shark to keep her alive as she was injured and would not swim on her own. It captured the atmosphere so well, the intensity of being in such close contact with one of nature's greatest predators. Though Sevengill is not as intense it stills has the feeling of danger. For anyone who is fascinated with sharks.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm pretty sure I read this when I was younger... I remember the cover for sure.