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My Life Is a Zoo #2
How to Outswim a Shark Without a Snorkel
Ana Wright's summer just got terrifying. She's finally getting used to living in a zoo (no, seriously—she lives with her family in an actual zoo), when she's assigned to work in the new shark tank. With her worst enemy. Forget about sharks! Ashley is the ultimate predator. And after Ana's favorite croc peed on Ashley's shoes, she's probably out for revenge.
This can't be good.
This can't be good.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 6, 2015
23 people are currently reading
534 people want to read
About the author
Jess Keating
25 books263 followersJess Keating is an award-winning author, cartoonist, and zoologist, whose work has been featured in the New York Times, CBC, Buzzfeed, Parents Magazine, and more.
She is the creator of over a dozen fiction and nonfiction books, including Eat Your Rocks, Croc!, Shark Lady, Pink is for Blobfish, the Elements of Genius middle grade series, and the graphic novel series, Bunbun & Bonbon.
Get printables, videos, and more fun stuff for kids at https://www.jesskeating.com/
She is the creator of over a dozen fiction and nonfiction books, including Eat Your Rocks, Croc!, Shark Lady, Pink is for Blobfish, the Elements of Genius middle grade series, and the graphic novel series, Bunbun & Bonbon.
Get printables, videos, and more fun stuff for kids at https://www.jesskeating.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
January 6, 2015
Last year, Jess Keating’s How To Outrun A Crocodile With Your Shoes Untied charmed me completely with its wacky setting, lovable heroine, and sparkling storytelling. Well Keating returns to Ana Wright’s animal filled world in the wildly funny and sweetly adorkable sequel, How To Outswim A Shark Without A Snorkel!
Just when soon-to-be eighth grader, Ana Wright, thought life was getting back to normal (as normal as it can get for the granddaughter of a world famous man and who is forced by her parents to live INSIDE a zoo, oh and after becoming the youngest presenter at the zoo, is sort of semi-famous herself) after the wild events at the beginning of her summer. She still lives in a zoo (but kind of loves it), her BFF is still on the other side of the world (but Ana’s made new friends), she gets to hang out with cutie Kevin (who may or may not like her), and now the zoo is home to an amazing marine life exhibit, where Ana will work and hang out with sharks(!)...oh and her worst enemy, Ashley, will be working with her...ok, so maybe Ana’s life just isn’t meant to be normal!
How To Outswim A Shark Without A Snorkel is just as awesome as its predecessor! Jess Keating is such a wonderful storyteller. who effortlessly combines humor, fun facts, heart-warming moments, and relatable teen situations, to create unforgettable and unputdownable middle-grade fiction. I love the zany zoo setting in these books so much! With her zoological background, Keating brings so much experience and knowledge to this world. In this book, Keating vividly creates an ocean world, full of sharks; jellies; seahorses; crabs; shells; and more, within the confines of the zoo. And she expertly weaves in little tidbits and fun animal facts throughout the story in a way that will have readers learning a lot, and not even realizing it!
With an absolute pitch-perfect voice, How To Outswim A Shark Without A Snorkel captures those cringe-worthy tween years in laugh-out-loud ways. From big firsts (kisses, leg shaving, shopping for the perfect butt shaping bathing suit) to romantic woes (crushes on guys who may or may not like you back, crushes on gorgeous guys WAY too old for you, and friends who have weird crushes on your gross brother) and tween toughies (mean girls, complicated friendships, and figuring out who you are), Keating explores it all in ways that young (and old!) readers will relate to.
Adorkable heroine, Ana, is as endearing, entertaining, and lovable as ever! She’s just such a fun, relatable character to hang out with for a few hours. I loved, loved, loved watching her surprising story with Ashley, her adorable story with Kevin, and her heart-filled story with herself unfold. And of course, Ana’s world is filled with so many other colorful, fun characters, including her oddly charming brother Daz, her sweet new friend Bella, the oh so hot older guy Logan, and more!
How To Outswim A Shark Without A Snorkel ends with an exciting splash, surprising arrest, and another sunshine-in-your-heart-makes-you-smile-big (but not in an overly cheesy way)-and-wanna-high-five-Ana kind of way ending.
My Final Thoughts: Jess Keating gives readers everything they could hope for in their middle-grade fiction: an awesome heroine, sparkling storytelling, captivating settings, giggle-inducing humor, and a lot of heart. How To Outswim A Shark Without A Snorkel is a spectacular sequel in a must read series!
Just when soon-to-be eighth grader, Ana Wright, thought life was getting back to normal (as normal as it can get for the granddaughter of a world famous man and who is forced by her parents to live INSIDE a zoo, oh and after becoming the youngest presenter at the zoo, is sort of semi-famous herself) after the wild events at the beginning of her summer. She still lives in a zoo (but kind of loves it), her BFF is still on the other side of the world (but Ana’s made new friends), she gets to hang out with cutie Kevin (who may or may not like her), and now the zoo is home to an amazing marine life exhibit, where Ana will work and hang out with sharks(!)...oh and her worst enemy, Ashley, will be working with her...ok, so maybe Ana’s life just isn’t meant to be normal!
How To Outswim A Shark Without A Snorkel is just as awesome as its predecessor! Jess Keating is such a wonderful storyteller. who effortlessly combines humor, fun facts, heart-warming moments, and relatable teen situations, to create unforgettable and unputdownable middle-grade fiction. I love the zany zoo setting in these books so much! With her zoological background, Keating brings so much experience and knowledge to this world. In this book, Keating vividly creates an ocean world, full of sharks; jellies; seahorses; crabs; shells; and more, within the confines of the zoo. And she expertly weaves in little tidbits and fun animal facts throughout the story in a way that will have readers learning a lot, and not even realizing it!
With an absolute pitch-perfect voice, How To Outswim A Shark Without A Snorkel captures those cringe-worthy tween years in laugh-out-loud ways. From big firsts (kisses, leg shaving, shopping for the perfect butt shaping bathing suit) to romantic woes (crushes on guys who may or may not like you back, crushes on gorgeous guys WAY too old for you, and friends who have weird crushes on your gross brother) and tween toughies (mean girls, complicated friendships, and figuring out who you are), Keating explores it all in ways that young (and old!) readers will relate to.
Adorkable heroine, Ana, is as endearing, entertaining, and lovable as ever! She’s just such a fun, relatable character to hang out with for a few hours. I loved, loved, loved watching her surprising story with Ashley, her adorable story with Kevin, and her heart-filled story with herself unfold. And of course, Ana’s world is filled with so many other colorful, fun characters, including her oddly charming brother Daz, her sweet new friend Bella, the oh so hot older guy Logan, and more!
How To Outswim A Shark Without A Snorkel ends with an exciting splash, surprising arrest, and another sunshine-in-your-heart-makes-you-smile-big (but not in an overly cheesy way)-and-wanna-high-five-Ana kind of way ending.
My Final Thoughts: Jess Keating gives readers everything they could hope for in their middle-grade fiction: an awesome heroine, sparkling storytelling, captivating settings, giggle-inducing humor, and a lot of heart. How To Outswim A Shark Without A Snorkel is a spectacular sequel in a must read series!
April 6, 2017
This was my first book by Jess Keating and I absolutely LOVED it! Great messages and a fun-filled adventure. I found myself grinning and laughing at all the hijinx. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5 stars
My Rating: 5 stars
January 21, 2016
A super huge thanks to Net Galley and Sourcebooks for allowing me to read this book! YOU GUYS ROCK!!!
Jess Keating does it again! I cannot say enough about how much I enjoy her books. First of all, it is very refreshing to read a book for girls that is clean and a little more innocent. I don't have to think about what grade I can booktalk this book in because there aren't any dirty bits. Sooooo nice!!! It is super funny and cute. Did I mention how funny it is??? The leg shaving part cracked me up the most, but I laughed out loud more than once. There is a really good message here too. Five stars for me!!!!!
Jess Keating does it again! I cannot say enough about how much I enjoy her books. First of all, it is very refreshing to read a book for girls that is clean and a little more innocent. I don't have to think about what grade I can booktalk this book in because there aren't any dirty bits. Sooooo nice!!! It is super funny and cute. Did I mention how funny it is??? The leg shaving part cracked me up the most, but I laughed out loud more than once. There is a really good message here too. Five stars for me!!!!!
January 3, 2015
I loved meeting Ana in Jess Keating's first book. Ana is back, and with her are more middle grade problems. Ana has one of the best middle grade female voices I've come across in awhile. She's witty, smart and kind.
This second story had me rooting for Ana even more- she got a little closer in my heart!
This second story had me rooting for Ana even more- she got a little closer in my heart!
February 20, 2015
I wish that Ana had been around when I went through that awkward stage in my tweens...it brought back some amusing and weird memories. It's hard to figure out your place on this planet, but Ana's going to be okay.
January 29, 2015
ARC from Netgalley
I loved how this book weaved fact and humor at the beginning of each chapter. It was spot on with the voice of the quirky, intelligent, self-conscience middle-school protagonist, Ana. Can't wait to put this one in the hands of some of my kids!
I loved how this book weaved fact and humor at the beginning of each chapter. It was spot on with the voice of the quirky, intelligent, self-conscience middle-school protagonist, Ana. Can't wait to put this one in the hands of some of my kids!
June 26, 2015
Loved this one! I think the lessons were great, and very relatable, especially in the shark-infested middle school social pool. I have a 7th grader and she loved the book as well!
January 5, 2015
Really enjoyed this one! Great follow-up to the first one!
June 26, 2015
Loved this book!
February 24, 2019
Ana continues absolutely hilarious and relatable. Poor, poor, Ana. She has to work in a shark tank with her arch-nemesis, Ashley. Her best friend Liv moved away, and has seemingly replaced her. Liv will be starting high school this year, which is one year ahead of Ana, because of the education at her new school. She reminds Ana about the blood pact they made-both must have their first kiss before high school. Ana wouldn't have had to think about that for another year. But now she has to have her first kiss. This summer. Yikes.
January 24, 2020
Ana struggles with her emotions when she is working at the zoo and all summer she has to deal with a girl who was one of her bullies at school. She doesn't trust her, so revenge looks sweet but it makes her feel awful inside. Plus her brother's best friend is looking better all the time! Great story, the second novel in the middle grade series.
May 19, 2017
It was a fine book. It was easy to understand and read, but I didn't really care for the story of it.
December 3, 2017
There is nothing in here on How To Outswim A Shark Without A Snorkel!
January 12, 2018
Love this series can't wait to read the next book
June 11, 2019
This was super fun! Perfect read!
February 14, 2020
Ana is a typical 12-year-old who is trying to figure out who she is and who her friends are. Some parts seem contrived, but it all comes together and makes sense. I liked this book.
Want to read
April 16, 2021Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
June 9, 2025
⭐: 3,5
January 9, 2015
This review (and others) can be seen in all its proper formatting glory on my blog Beauty and the Bookshelf.
Last year, I read and adored the adorkableness that was Keating's first novel. How to Outrun a Crocodile When Your Shoes Are Untied was such fun, and it also happened to be one of my top ten books of 2014. So of course I was super eager to read the second book, impatiently waiting for a cover and synopsis and my chance to get my hands on it. And while Croc is still my favorite, How to Outswim a Shark Without a Snorkel was still good a book, and it had a brand new story--well, not completely new; just new troubles for poor Ana, and this time with sharks!
Shark starts soon after where Croc left off: Anna and her family live at the zoo (which is the coolest thing EVER), she successfully did a presentation on reptiles (and even has a little bit of YouTube fame because of it), and she's spending her summer helping out at the zoo, where her parents work and her grandfather has a bit of say in, since he's kind of like the Crocodile Hunter (all of this is also the coolest thing EVER). And then good ol' Grandpa surprises the Wrights by bringing an Adventure Zone to the zoo, filled with rays, underwater creatures, and sharks. Ana gets to work the zone, but unfortunately for her and in true Ana fashion, sharks aren't the only predators she has to spend the summer with: Sneerer and Ultimate Enemy Ashley is working with her.
The overall...mood of Shark felt a little different than that of Croc, and I don't mean that negatively. There's still some adorkableness, and I still suffer secondhand embarrassment and cringe for Ana, but Shark focused more on Ana growing up and making her own decisions. She is, after all, going into the eighth grade, the last grade before high school. As she works with Ashley, she has to decide how to act: does she always keep her defenses up and prepare for and expect the worse, or does she give Ashley a chance and try to make a new friend? When it comes to Liv (who I don't care for all that much), her best friend who moved to New Zealand, does she try to stay at the same pace? Liv's ahead of the game, the game where her and Ana would do everything together because they're BFFs. Liv gets to skip a grade and start high school a year early, meaning it's time for her and Ana to finally shave their legs and fulfill their kissing pact (get their first kiss before entering high school). But Ana's only thirteen, and she doesn't know if she's ready for all that. Although she does like Kevin, but she doesn't know if Kevin likes her. (They're so cute, my little Middle Grade ship!)
The best part about these books--and what makes them so criminally underrated--is Ana's voice. It's real and relatable and honest and cringe-worthy. Ana is your real, average (or maybe slightly above) thirteen-year-old girl (or is she twelve?) in middle school who's totally embarrassed by her family: she's awkward and dorky and smells like animal poo. But she's real, and she's dedicated to her family and her work, and she's not some perfect protagonist like the ones in so many books. Ana could actually be real. (But my gosh, the poor thing, some of the worst things happen to her, like accidentally putting on her father's cologne instead of her mother's perfume, and then mixing the two together, when she's going to hang out with Kevin.) If you read these books for anything, read them for the excellent voice. And characters. And animal facts. And Creature Files and other little fun things Ana puts together. So really, just read them. (It doesn't matter how old you are; I'm twenty-one and I like them.)
At the end of the show, while I didn't looove Shark, at least not like Croc, it was still good, and it makes me want to read more Middle Grade. (A little side note, but I started reading this on my Kindle and then switched to paperback, and doing so gave the book a different feel, which was totally weird, because I think I liked reading it on my Kindle more.) How to Outswim a Shark Without a Snorkel is about an honest and imperfect protagonist forced to work with her antagonist, who maybe isn't the antagonist after all. If you like animals, this is for you. If you like books with great voice and an excellent cast of characters, this is for you. And if you want to know how to outswim a shark without a snorkel, this is for you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go look into volunteer applications at my local zoo and wait for the third book in this entertaining Middle Grade series to arrive. (Question: Can there be kissing in Middle Grade books? Please say yes.)
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, and that in no way sways my opinion of the book.
Last year, I read and adored the adorkableness that was Keating's first novel. How to Outrun a Crocodile When Your Shoes Are Untied was such fun, and it also happened to be one of my top ten books of 2014. So of course I was super eager to read the second book, impatiently waiting for a cover and synopsis and my chance to get my hands on it. And while Croc is still my favorite, How to Outswim a Shark Without a Snorkel was still good a book, and it had a brand new story--well, not completely new; just new troubles for poor Ana, and this time with sharks!
Shark starts soon after where Croc left off: Anna and her family live at the zoo (which is the coolest thing EVER), she successfully did a presentation on reptiles (and even has a little bit of YouTube fame because of it), and she's spending her summer helping out at the zoo, where her parents work and her grandfather has a bit of say in, since he's kind of like the Crocodile Hunter (all of this is also the coolest thing EVER). And then good ol' Grandpa surprises the Wrights by bringing an Adventure Zone to the zoo, filled with rays, underwater creatures, and sharks. Ana gets to work the zone, but unfortunately for her and in true Ana fashion, sharks aren't the only predators she has to spend the summer with: Sneerer and Ultimate Enemy Ashley is working with her.
The overall...mood of Shark felt a little different than that of Croc, and I don't mean that negatively. There's still some adorkableness, and I still suffer secondhand embarrassment and cringe for Ana, but Shark focused more on Ana growing up and making her own decisions. She is, after all, going into the eighth grade, the last grade before high school. As she works with Ashley, she has to decide how to act: does she always keep her defenses up and prepare for and expect the worse, or does she give Ashley a chance and try to make a new friend? When it comes to Liv (who I don't care for all that much), her best friend who moved to New Zealand, does she try to stay at the same pace? Liv's ahead of the game, the game where her and Ana would do everything together because they're BFFs. Liv gets to skip a grade and start high school a year early, meaning it's time for her and Ana to finally shave their legs and fulfill their kissing pact (get their first kiss before entering high school). But Ana's only thirteen, and she doesn't know if she's ready for all that. Although she does like Kevin, but she doesn't know if Kevin likes her. (They're so cute, my little Middle Grade ship!)
The best part about these books--and what makes them so criminally underrated--is Ana's voice. It's real and relatable and honest and cringe-worthy. Ana is your real, average (or maybe slightly above) thirteen-year-old girl (or is she twelve?) in middle school who's totally embarrassed by her family: she's awkward and dorky and smells like animal poo. But she's real, and she's dedicated to her family and her work, and she's not some perfect protagonist like the ones in so many books. Ana could actually be real. (But my gosh, the poor thing, some of the worst things happen to her, like accidentally putting on her father's cologne instead of her mother's perfume, and then mixing the two together, when she's going to hang out with Kevin.) If you read these books for anything, read them for the excellent voice. And characters. And animal facts. And Creature Files and other little fun things Ana puts together. So really, just read them. (It doesn't matter how old you are; I'm twenty-one and I like them.)
At the end of the show, while I didn't looove Shark, at least not like Croc, it was still good, and it makes me want to read more Middle Grade. (A little side note, but I started reading this on my Kindle and then switched to paperback, and doing so gave the book a different feel, which was totally weird, because I think I liked reading it on my Kindle more.) How to Outswim a Shark Without a Snorkel is about an honest and imperfect protagonist forced to work with her antagonist, who maybe isn't the antagonist after all. If you like animals, this is for you. If you like books with great voice and an excellent cast of characters, this is for you. And if you want to know how to outswim a shark without a snorkel, this is for you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go look into volunteer applications at my local zoo and wait for the third book in this entertaining Middle Grade series to arrive. (Question: Can there be kissing in Middle Grade books? Please say yes.)
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, and that in no way sways my opinion of the book.
January 22, 2015
Summer is just not turning out at all like Ana had pictured. First off, Liv decides that they need to finish their kiss pact this summer because the powers that be in New Zealand are putting her in high school instead of 8th grade when school starts. Ana thought she had a whole year to get the kissing thing figured out but Liv is insisting she needs to find a guy to kiss her in just weeks. Ana thinks Kevin likes her, but does he like her enough to kiss her? And then there's the volunteer work at the zoo. Ana thought she'd continue to work with the crocodiles and do presentations there for the summer, but her grandpa surprises the family (and the zoo) with a new tidal pool and shark exhibit - where Ana is reassigned to work! But the sharks aren't the most fearsome thing Ana has to face for the summer, because who should appear as the other student volunteer working in the tidal pool for the whole summer? Ashley. Yep, Sneerer Ashley who loves to torment Ana. Ana is positive Ashley only volunteered to work at the zoo to get back at her somehow for the crocodile pee incident, so she's keeping an eye on her. Ashley actually seems to be acting somewhat nice to Ana, but that can only be a trick, right? Ana is sure her suspicions are confirmed when weird things start to happen in the new exhibit that she gets blamed for, and she vows to get even. It's time to think like a shark. But will Ana be happy with her sharky self?
I was very happy with how Keating wrapped up this book. Middle school kids feel pressures from so very many different places, and they need to be reassured they can take things at their own pace and to beware how they are changing. Are they changing for the better or worse? Good questions for kids in a time of life just loaded with all sorts of changes and choices. I liked that Ana and Ashley And I was super happy that Ana felt the freedom to NOT And all the animal stuff of course provides a fun setting for all of these life lessons. I love Ana's little critter facts at the beginning of each chapter and her responses. They are pretty much guaranteed to give a laugh.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. No violence. There's some mean plotting, but things get worked out.
I was very happy with how Keating wrapped up this book. Middle school kids feel pressures from so very many different places, and they need to be reassured they can take things at their own pace and to beware how they are changing. Are they changing for the better or worse? Good questions for kids in a time of life just loaded with all sorts of changes and choices. I liked that Ana and Ashley And I was super happy that Ana felt the freedom to NOT And all the animal stuff of course provides a fun setting for all of these life lessons. I love Ana's little critter facts at the beginning of each chapter and her responses. They are pretty much guaranteed to give a laugh.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. No violence. There's some mean plotting, but things get worked out.
July 6, 2017
In the tradition of Judy Blume’s Are you There God, It’s me Margaret, comes another great story about a girl on the brink of womanhood. "Since when did being almost thirteen come with so many tough decisions?"
Ana Wright is back and she is no longer working with reptiles. When Grandpa announces they are building “The Marine Adventure Zone”, a place where kids will be able to interact with marine species such as rays and sharks, he wants Ana and Daz to “helm the ship.” And to make matters worse, who should volunteer as a Jr. Zoo Ambassador but Ashley (The Sneerer). Now Ana’s going to have to spend the summer with Ashley watching her every move. Surely, the only reason she signed up for this is to make Ana’s life miserable. Ana just knows that Ashley is just waiting for the right moment to humiliate her. But best friend Bella and potential boyfriend Kevin think Ana is overreacting. Daz doesn’t think at all.
To top it all, Liv, best friend in New Zealand, has just found out that she’s going to be skipping a grade. So, now she’s going to be in high school. And that means they have to “fast track the kissing pact”. They both have to kiss a boy before they start high school. Ana’s not sure she’s even ready for that, but when Liv decides something, they do it. Maybe Ana could get Kevin to kiss her.
With all these changes, the summer seems to be full of craziness. But perhaps the craziest thing of all is that Ana suddenly feels like she and Ashley are becoming friends. How can that be? "Was Ashley Ashley without her mean?" Can she trust the girl who calls her “Scales.” She does have good taste in clothing and maybe she can help Ana with advice about “the kissing pact.” But trust is a delicate thing that is sometimes erased by the stress of a situation. And when things go wrong at the zoo, Ana is sure that Ashley has finally started her revenge.
Another winner! I can't wait for my students to get their hands on this one. They're going to love it. Plenty of laughter and plenty of drama, Ana is a spunky character trying to find her way. She's learning how to be a better friend, how to trust a frenemy and, most importantly, how to be herself - maybe for the first time in her life. No more adapting ... no more camouflaging. "If there's one thing the last month has taught me it's that being brave enough to be your true self takes work." She makes mistakes and has embarrassing moments to which her readers will totally relate. And just when she thinks she can't do something, she finds the courage. "I guess the deal with impossible things is that they only seem impossible before you do them."
Ana Wright is back and she is no longer working with reptiles. When Grandpa announces they are building “The Marine Adventure Zone”, a place where kids will be able to interact with marine species such as rays and sharks, he wants Ana and Daz to “helm the ship.” And to make matters worse, who should volunteer as a Jr. Zoo Ambassador but Ashley (The Sneerer). Now Ana’s going to have to spend the summer with Ashley watching her every move. Surely, the only reason she signed up for this is to make Ana’s life miserable. Ana just knows that Ashley is just waiting for the right moment to humiliate her. But best friend Bella and potential boyfriend Kevin think Ana is overreacting. Daz doesn’t think at all.
To top it all, Liv, best friend in New Zealand, has just found out that she’s going to be skipping a grade. So, now she’s going to be in high school. And that means they have to “fast track the kissing pact”. They both have to kiss a boy before they start high school. Ana’s not sure she’s even ready for that, but when Liv decides something, they do it. Maybe Ana could get Kevin to kiss her.
With all these changes, the summer seems to be full of craziness. But perhaps the craziest thing of all is that Ana suddenly feels like she and Ashley are becoming friends. How can that be? "Was Ashley Ashley without her mean?" Can she trust the girl who calls her “Scales.” She does have good taste in clothing and maybe she can help Ana with advice about “the kissing pact.” But trust is a delicate thing that is sometimes erased by the stress of a situation. And when things go wrong at the zoo, Ana is sure that Ashley has finally started her revenge.
Another winner! I can't wait for my students to get their hands on this one. They're going to love it. Plenty of laughter and plenty of drama, Ana is a spunky character trying to find her way. She's learning how to be a better friend, how to trust a frenemy and, most importantly, how to be herself - maybe for the first time in her life. No more adapting ... no more camouflaging. "If there's one thing the last month has taught me it's that being brave enough to be your true self takes work." She makes mistakes and has embarrassing moments to which her readers will totally relate. And just when she thinks she can't do something, she finds the courage. "I guess the deal with impossible things is that they only seem impossible before you do them."
January 6, 2015
Ana Wright's summer just got terrifying. She's finally getting used to living in a zoo (no, seriously—she lives with her family in an actual zoo), when she's assigned to work in the new shark tank. With her worst enemy. Forget about sharks! Ashley is the ultimate predator. And after Ana's favorite croc peed on Ashley's shoes, she's probably out for revenge. This can't be good.
How to Outswim a Shark Without a Snorkel is entertaining and exciting, another adventure into the life of a girl living in a zoo. And it's not just a zoo full of animals she has to deal with. There's also the zoo of navigating middle school and potentially sneaky girls with pink-painted toenails.
Ana is intelligent, passionate about animals. She's quiet, anxious when it comes to big presentations and crowds. Things have finally calmed down after the whole crocodile fiasco and now she has the summer to look forward to. Except when her plans take a bit of a detour and she's suddenly weighed down by pressure and anxiety. Slow, measured changes are fine with Ana, not sudden ones where almost everything is involved.
Through Ana's eyes, the reader sees glimpses of the people around her. Her impossible to explain (because how can you explain boys) twin brother, her scientist parents, and her maybe a little crazy famous adventurer grandfather. The stuck-up Ashley. Ana is more low-key. She sees them as dramatic, but she's the same way. Perhaps even more so when it comes to certain people.
What was interesting was that as Ana sees the people around her, I saw Ana, and it wasn't in a favourable light. At times she sounded stuck-up, accusing. Mean. I was torn between understanding her difficulties with all the change happening around her and shaking my head at her for acting so childish. She is learning, she's still trying to figure out the world and why it's so impossible to understand. But not everything is as black and white as she thought.
Ana is growing up and her world is changing. It's part of life, even though she doesn't want anything to change. But it has to. Things change. Friends move. People change. She has to understand that or else she'll get left behind. In the first book, she leans that she can adapt just fine when she puts her mind to it. Here it's all about everyone around her changing and if she'll be able to go at her own pace or be forced to catch up. Fans of the first book will definitely enjoy this new installment.
(I received an e-galley of this title to review from Sourcebooks through NetGalley.)
How to Outswim a Shark Without a Snorkel is entertaining and exciting, another adventure into the life of a girl living in a zoo. And it's not just a zoo full of animals she has to deal with. There's also the zoo of navigating middle school and potentially sneaky girls with pink-painted toenails.
Ana is intelligent, passionate about animals. She's quiet, anxious when it comes to big presentations and crowds. Things have finally calmed down after the whole crocodile fiasco and now she has the summer to look forward to. Except when her plans take a bit of a detour and she's suddenly weighed down by pressure and anxiety. Slow, measured changes are fine with Ana, not sudden ones where almost everything is involved.
Through Ana's eyes, the reader sees glimpses of the people around her. Her impossible to explain (because how can you explain boys) twin brother, her scientist parents, and her maybe a little crazy famous adventurer grandfather. The stuck-up Ashley. Ana is more low-key. She sees them as dramatic, but she's the same way. Perhaps even more so when it comes to certain people.
What was interesting was that as Ana sees the people around her, I saw Ana, and it wasn't in a favourable light. At times she sounded stuck-up, accusing. Mean. I was torn between understanding her difficulties with all the change happening around her and shaking my head at her for acting so childish. She is learning, she's still trying to figure out the world and why it's so impossible to understand. But not everything is as black and white as she thought.
Ana is growing up and her world is changing. It's part of life, even though she doesn't want anything to change. But it has to. Things change. Friends move. People change. She has to understand that or else she'll get left behind. In the first book, she leans that she can adapt just fine when she puts her mind to it. Here it's all about everyone around her changing and if she'll be able to go at her own pace or be forced to catch up. Fans of the first book will definitely enjoy this new installment.
(I received an e-galley of this title to review from Sourcebooks through NetGalley.)
January 7, 2015
MY THOUGHTS
Ana Wright lives in a zoo with her family and her life pretty much revovles around creatures, great and small. She was put on the spot and did a presentation on reptiles that went viral during the school year and now that is summer, she wants nothing more to do than hang out with the animals and relax. Her BFF, Liv, has moved to New Zealand and other than chatting online with her, she feels friendless. Entering the eighth grade next year was something she planned on doing to together with Liv, not alone. She is surprised this summer when her grandfather, who owns the zoo, announces a new exhibit, one that involves water! The new area is taking on new students to help out and when she finds out her worst enemy is going to be her partner there.
Ashley is a known mean girl and seems to have it in for Ana. She had tried to sabotage Ana's presentation last year and that left a bad taste in Ana's mouth. Liv has announced that she is being moved up a grade and that their plan for the upcoming year is being pushed up, which means that she must find a boy to have her first kiss with. She has a crush on Kevin but doesn't know how to deal with it. Ashley has been dumped on her but it seems that everything is going wrong at the new exhibit. When gates are left unlocked and other overfed, the supervisor blames the girls but then they each blame the other for the disasters.
With the opening day upon them, and Ana in need of a new bathing suit, Ashley decides that Ana has no clue and they go shopping. The two bond (somewhat) and Ana starts to think Ana isn't all bad. This adorable story is full of the pitfalls of growing up and presented in a charming and humorous manner. They finally work together and at the end become friends and all full of the drama that twelve going on thirteen can entail. Parents: this one is very safe for middle graders and with one attempted kiss, nothing to worry about. It also imparts some important lessons about growing up.
Ana Wright lives in a zoo with her family and her life pretty much revovles around creatures, great and small. She was put on the spot and did a presentation on reptiles that went viral during the school year and now that is summer, she wants nothing more to do than hang out with the animals and relax. Her BFF, Liv, has moved to New Zealand and other than chatting online with her, she feels friendless. Entering the eighth grade next year was something she planned on doing to together with Liv, not alone. She is surprised this summer when her grandfather, who owns the zoo, announces a new exhibit, one that involves water! The new area is taking on new students to help out and when she finds out her worst enemy is going to be her partner there.
Ashley is a known mean girl and seems to have it in for Ana. She had tried to sabotage Ana's presentation last year and that left a bad taste in Ana's mouth. Liv has announced that she is being moved up a grade and that their plan for the upcoming year is being pushed up, which means that she must find a boy to have her first kiss with. She has a crush on Kevin but doesn't know how to deal with it. Ashley has been dumped on her but it seems that everything is going wrong at the new exhibit. When gates are left unlocked and other overfed, the supervisor blames the girls but then they each blame the other for the disasters.
With the opening day upon them, and Ana in need of a new bathing suit, Ashley decides that Ana has no clue and they go shopping. The two bond (somewhat) and Ana starts to think Ana isn't all bad. This adorable story is full of the pitfalls of growing up and presented in a charming and humorous manner. They finally work together and at the end become friends and all full of the drama that twelve going on thirteen can entail. Parents: this one is very safe for middle graders and with one attempted kiss, nothing to worry about. It also imparts some important lessons about growing up.
December 4, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. Fans of Ana's first adventure will be glad to see her in action again. They may not be so pleased to hear that her arch-enemy, Ashley, will be spending the summer as a volunteer at the zoo and Ana gets stuck working with her. It almost seems unfair. Ana had finally faced down her fears about public speaking and garnered some fame for her presentation about reptiles, even having the good luck of a baby alligator urinating on Ashley in front of the audience. And then, just when we're relaxing and thinking Ana has it made for the summer, here is Ashley to ruin it all.
There are some positive aspects to the situation. The first one is Logan - the college student working in the new exhibit where the girls are volunteers. (Did I mention that Logan is cute?) Also, Ana's friend (boyfriend?) Kevin is around for the summer. Her new friend Bella is filling the void in Ana's life that was caused by her best friend Liv's family moving out of the country. And her brother Daz even seems to be acting semi-human for a change.
But when things start to go wrong around the exhibit, Ana is sure that Ashley is doing it all to sabotage her. Fed up with being blamed for something she didn't do and determined to pay Ashley back, Ana talks Daz into helping her with a revenge plan. Will she go through with it? And will she fulfill the "kissing pact" she made with Liv and get her first kiss from Kevin before school starts? No pressure or anything, right?
If you haven't read How to Outrun a Crocodile When Your Shoes Are Untied, you'll want to get it, too. These books are funny, honest portrayals of what life can be like when you are a 13-year-old girl trying to survive middle school.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
There are some positive aspects to the situation. The first one is Logan - the college student working in the new exhibit where the girls are volunteers. (Did I mention that Logan is cute?) Also, Ana's friend (boyfriend?) Kevin is around for the summer. Her new friend Bella is filling the void in Ana's life that was caused by her best friend Liv's family moving out of the country. And her brother Daz even seems to be acting semi-human for a change.
But when things start to go wrong around the exhibit, Ana is sure that Ashley is doing it all to sabotage her. Fed up with being blamed for something she didn't do and determined to pay Ashley back, Ana talks Daz into helping her with a revenge plan. Will she go through with it? And will she fulfill the "kissing pact" she made with Liv and get her first kiss from Kevin before school starts? No pressure or anything, right?
If you haven't read How to Outrun a Crocodile When Your Shoes Are Untied, you'll want to get it, too. These books are funny, honest portrayals of what life can be like when you are a 13-year-old girl trying to survive middle school.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
January 26, 2015
Originally posted here at inthesenterofit.blogspot.com
Genre: Realistic
AR level: none yet
Grade appropriate: 5th grade girls & up
(Prepubescent boys do not need to be reading about girls comparing
their boobs to another girls.)
RATING BREAKDOWN:
Overall: 5/5-- I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Creativity: 5/5-- how fun to write about a girl who lives at a zoo?
Reminded me of Stuart Gibbs's Belly Up & Poached.
Characters: 5/5-- loved kevin! Ana was real and might have even been
me in middle school, minus the living at a zoo thing. Ashley was also
a very real character that I swear I knew in middle school. It turns
out the girls like her were all just as insecure as I was!
Engrossing: 5/5-- it was a great book that held my attention.
Writing: 5/5
Appeal to kids: 5/5-- I know so many girls who are going to eat up
this story of enemies who become friends,
Appropriate length to tell the story: 5/5
CONTENT:
Language: none
Sexuality: mild-- girls make a kissing pact & try to kiss a boy before
school starts, the girls have to change into swimsuits & notice each
other's bodies.
Violence: none
Drugs/Alcohol: none
Genre: Realistic
AR level: none yet
Grade appropriate: 5th grade girls & up
(Prepubescent boys do not need to be reading about girls comparing
their boobs to another girls.)
RATING BREAKDOWN:
Overall: 5/5-- I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Creativity: 5/5-- how fun to write about a girl who lives at a zoo?
Reminded me of Stuart Gibbs's Belly Up & Poached.
Characters: 5/5-- loved kevin! Ana was real and might have even been
me in middle school, minus the living at a zoo thing. Ashley was also
a very real character that I swear I knew in middle school. It turns
out the girls like her were all just as insecure as I was!
Engrossing: 5/5-- it was a great book that held my attention.
Writing: 5/5
Appeal to kids: 5/5-- I know so many girls who are going to eat up
this story of enemies who become friends,
Appropriate length to tell the story: 5/5
CONTENT:
Language: none
Sexuality: mild-- girls make a kissing pact & try to kiss a boy before
school starts, the girls have to change into swimsuits & notice each
other's bodies.
Violence: none
Drugs/Alcohol: none
Read
June 28, 2015Surviving seventh grade with your dignity and inconspicuousness intact is no easy feat. Sometimes you get to keep one but not the other. If you have new friendships in place, it's all for the good. With the months of June, July and August acting as a buffer to the upcoming final year of middle school, you should be able replenish your mindset ready to tackle all the new firsts which come your way.
When the anticipated sequel to a well-received middle grade novel is released you know you're in for a treat when the dedication reads:
To the brave kids, the weird kids, and the cool kids.
Especially the ones who don't yet realize they can be
all three.
Jess Keating's debut novel, How To Outrun A Crocodile When Your Shoes Are Untied, presented to readers twelve-year-old Ana, short for Anaconda, whose life is like the place where she lives, a zoo. In the sequel, How To Outswim A Shark Without A Snorkel (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, January 6, 2015) her high-profile grandfather, Shep Foster, springs a surprise on the entire family focusing on Ana's newly acquired bravery at speaking in front of others. Swimming with sharks is going to be the least of Ana's worries.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
When the anticipated sequel to a well-received middle grade novel is released you know you're in for a treat when the dedication reads:
To the brave kids, the weird kids, and the cool kids.
Especially the ones who don't yet realize they can be
all three.
Jess Keating's debut novel, How To Outrun A Crocodile When Your Shoes Are Untied, presented to readers twelve-year-old Ana, short for Anaconda, whose life is like the place where she lives, a zoo. In the sequel, How To Outswim A Shark Without A Snorkel (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, January 6, 2015) her high-profile grandfather, Shep Foster, springs a surprise on the entire family focusing on Ana's newly acquired bravery at speaking in front of others. Swimming with sharks is going to be the least of Ana's worries.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
July 3, 2015
I want to be able to give ratings in half-star increments on GoodReads, because I'd give this 4.5 stars.
This book was a really good follow-up to the first in the series (How to Outrun A Crocodile When Your Shoes are Untied). I loved getting to follow Ana's story farther, and almost totally in the setting of the zoo during summer break.
I found myself *dis*liking Ana's character through much of the story, but, honestly, this made the ending of the book even better. I feel like Ana's character experienced a great amount of growth, and all of the internal conflict within is so relatable for this age. I LOVED getting to see the completely different take on Ashley's character and Ana's struggles with figuring out how to handle new situations surrounding Ashley. I'm excited to see how the third book continues the series this fall!
The author continues with awesome zoo- and animal-related analogies throughout the book, and these books are a superb example for writers and readers everywhere about "strong voice" within writing.
This book was a really good follow-up to the first in the series (How to Outrun A Crocodile When Your Shoes are Untied). I loved getting to follow Ana's story farther, and almost totally in the setting of the zoo during summer break.
I found myself *dis*liking Ana's character through much of the story, but, honestly, this made the ending of the book even better. I feel like Ana's character experienced a great amount of growth, and all of the internal conflict within is so relatable for this age. I LOVED getting to see the completely different take on Ashley's character and Ana's struggles with figuring out how to handle new situations surrounding Ashley. I'm excited to see how the third book continues the series this fall!
The author continues with awesome zoo- and animal-related analogies throughout the book, and these books are a superb example for writers and readers everywhere about "strong voice" within writing.
April 23, 2015
School just let out for the summer and Ana has been assigned to work in the new shark tank. The problem isn't the sharks though. Her worst enemy, Ashley is also working there. On the best of days, Ana and Ashley don't get along, but during a zoo presentation, Ana's crocodile did her business on Ashley. Ana's sure that Ashley's up to something, but for some reason, Ashley is not only being civil, but she's actually being nice!
I picked up this book because I read the first one, How to Outrun a Crocodile When Your Shoes Are Untied. I finished this book because I wanted to know why Ashley was working at the shark tank, and if Ana would actually kiss Kev.
I would recommend this book to Emma because she liked Belly Up, another book that was also set in a zoo, but she should probably read the first one before this one.
I picked up this book because I read the first one, How to Outrun a Crocodile When Your Shoes Are Untied. I finished this book because I wanted to know why Ashley was working at the shark tank, and if Ana would actually kiss Kev.
I would recommend this book to Emma because she liked Belly Up, another book that was also set in a zoo, but she should probably read the first one before this one.
November 13, 2014
MY LIFE IS A ZOO series is a charming new series by Jess Keating. From the fear of public speaking to concerns about forming friendships, the authentic storylines bring humor to the real-world issues of growing up.
The second book in the series titled HOW TO OUTSWIM A SHARK WITHOUT A SNORKEL (available January 6, 2015) explores issues of friendship during a summer working at the family’s zoo.
Each chapter begins with animal wisdom and notes that draw readers into the story. Ana’s love of list-making adds to the fun. Witty words of pre-teen wisdom like “if something doesn’t fit, that’s the clothes’ fault. Not yours.” will have young readers anticipating the next book in this fun series.
Learn more about the author at http://jesskeating.com/.
The second book in the series titled HOW TO OUTSWIM A SHARK WITHOUT A SNORKEL (available January 6, 2015) explores issues of friendship during a summer working at the family’s zoo.
Each chapter begins with animal wisdom and notes that draw readers into the story. Ana’s love of list-making adds to the fun. Witty words of pre-teen wisdom like “if something doesn’t fit, that’s the clothes’ fault. Not yours.” will have young readers anticipating the next book in this fun series.
Learn more about the author at http://jesskeating.com/.
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