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While on vacation at the Great Barrier Reef, Sam and a young Japanese tourist get caught in a riptide and swept out to sea, where they struggle to keep from drowning and avoid the sharks closing in on them.

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2006

12 people are currently reading
126 people want to read

About the author

Justin D'Ath

60 books39 followers
One of twelve children, Justin grew up on a farm in Otaki, New Zealand. He wrote his first book, a ten page cartoon about his pet turtle, Bubble, when he was nine years old. His next cartoon was about Moriarty, his guinea pig, and filled a complete exercise book. When he was eleven, Justin began writing his first novel, but conked out after 35 pages.


Justin D’Ath is the author of over 30 books for children and young adults, including the hugely popular Extreme Adventures series. Other books include Astrid Spark, Fixologist, The Skyflower, Robbie and the Dolphins, Infamous, and Why did the Chykkan cross the Galaxy?


Justin says: ‘My main message is, Enjoy reading

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5 stars
89 (41%)
4 stars
69 (31%)
3 stars
41 (18%)
2 stars
12 (5%)
1 star
5 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for David Lean.
11 reviews
November 23, 2011
I would have to say Shark Bait by Justin D'ath. Sam Fox is an average boy in so many ways except one way, adventure. Sam is always getting into strife throughout the whole Extreme Adventure series and this book, Shark Bait, it is nothing short of his biggest adventure yet. He is having a wonderful day at the beach when a freak tsunami occurs sending him kilometres out to sea. After being in shock he comes back to his senses and strategizes on how he plans to get back. Enduring many harsh obstacles such as a giant great white shark and and sea snakes he finally makes it back to the shore with a little helping hand. This thriller is guarenteed to have you on the edge of your seat.
Profile Image for Liz Rockstroh.
49 reviews2 followers
April 14, 2024
This rating and review was provided by my 9 year old, who I read this book with:

I liked the thrilling plots.
Profile Image for Jennie Louwes.
Author 16 books50 followers
April 23, 2020
Sometimes far fetched is just too far fetched; even if, the writing is fluid and keeps the storyline from growing stagnate.

My kids (12, 11, almost 9, and 7.5 years old respectively) would rate this book a 5; however, as the mom, I can only manage a 3 star rating with this particular "Extreme Adventure" offering in mind.

Each book in this series has elements of good versus evil coupled with natural elements and/or disasters. It's one bad turn after another! How much can one person face and withstand and still survive?

From sharks, to dolphins, to reefs, oh my! From island to island, to a pit bull and a cassowary, survival instincts remain on full throttle throughout this read.

Definitely for the adrenaline junkie, you'll find martial arts and a boat that gets cut in two! The only downside is, you may need a translator for this one. Keep your phone or computer handy to look up Japanese to English translation; unless, you want to go with the flow and try to understand what's going on without fully being able to communicate with one of the main protagonists clearly. (When cultures and languages collide it's best done and most effective when face-to-face. When we can communicate with our hands, faces, and body language. Much harder to grasp within fictionalized character format and reading alone.)

For all of the aforementioned downsides, this book most definitely still earns every one of its three stars from me! It's one amazing, death-defying adventure that won't be soon forgotten. A good, middle grade read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1,795 reviews7 followers
January 6, 2022
Sam Fox has a harrowing experience in the ocean with his vacation home neighbor, Michi, who doesn't speak English. The two are swept away by a huge wave and spend a night floating, fighting off sharks and trying to survive the night. They stay awake by singing together. Michi knows songs in English. A boat passes them by and Sam is sure the man saw him waving Why didn't they stop to help?
They grow more and more tired as they hang on for dear life in the darkness of the ocean. Hoping surely that a rescue boat has been sent out after them. The only thing saving them is Michi's water wings...without those the two would have drowned long ago.
There are many dangerous predators swimming under the surface of the dark water. Using their wits and with survival instincts kicking in both kids try to stay alive. This story is about team work, being able to communicate without the same language, the creatures lurking in the sea and the will to survive.
Profile Image for Toby G.
8 reviews
July 4, 2022
-------WARNING MINOR SPOILERS-------
Are you looking for a book to keep you on the edge of your seat the entire way through? if so this is the book for you.

I recommend this book to you because it’s got a good plot, good characters and an amazing ending to finish off the book, with suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat every time

Sam fox and his family are on vacation on the great barrier reef, while he his walking on the coral shelfs he meets a young Japanese boy called Michi while they try to communicate to each other a large wave sweeps them off to sea will they survive? or will they be shark bait?

I like this book because it’s got action and suspense, and example of action is in one of the parts of the book Sam and Michi are getting circled by sharks and this also ties in with suspense because as the reader you aren't sure if they’re going to make it out or be shark dinner.

although this book is good but not perfect one thing that could make it better is the duration of the start to around the middle of the story its practically the same thing for such a long time I kind of became bored of the middle bit there wasn't any action at all it was just them sitting in the same place for half of the book but then again the book is centred around them being stuck at sea so it does make sense to have the most important bit to be most of the book but I would at least like a something different instead of the same thing over and over.

so run over to your nearest library or book store to grab this thriller of a book!
Profile Image for Cooper Oldewage.
5 reviews
March 4, 2019
When i saw this book i though of it as another one in the series, that didn't draw much attention to me. I figured why not, as i read deeper and deeper it drew me in. I couldn't stop reading, as the images of the boys floating in the ocean with what menace is below them. Each page was a adventure with twists and turns. It was a great book if you are into the suspense of what happens next books.
1,315 reviews7 followers
July 23, 2017
One of my favourites in the very enjoyable 'Extreme Adventures' series. Crisp writing, constant cliffhangers, funny moments, and satisfying endings. What more could you ask for in a kid's book?
Profile Image for Alistair Parker.
127 reviews1 follower
November 18, 2017
it was a good book no it was not a good book it was a awesome book!!!!!! I love the story
Profile Image for Conan Tigard.
1,134 reviews3 followers
November 13, 2015
Shark Bait is another very exciting book in the Extreme Adventures series starring Sam Fox, an Austrian boy. Sam never looks for trouble . . . trouble just seems to find him. This time, Sam must survive the night floating in the warm ocean waters with a young Japanese boy that doesn't speak or understand English. They survive sharks, sea snakes, nearly drowning, and then end up battling animal poachers. There is no way that I would want to spend the night suspended in the water with predators swimming all around me. That would scare the bejeezus out of me. Both of these boys are brave, very brave indeed.

Once again, Justin D'Ath has put pen to paper and created another fun-filled, action-packed, wet adventure for us to read. As with all the books in the series, the quick paced of the story keeps the reader highly involved, biting their nails and they witness Sam escape from each harrowing situation. This is the kind of books that boys absolutely love, and possibly girls too. This is action to the maximum!

I realize that these books are meant for Young Readers ages 9 and older, but I really love reading them also. They are a very quick read for me, but I find that the books always satisfy my need for action and suspense, just like the series Conspiracy 365. I have become an action junkie because of these two wonderful series and I find myself wanting more and more. All I can say is, "Bring it on, Kane Miller!" I'll be ready for more of these types of books anytime.

Overall, Shark Bait is a great story that will keep Young Readers glued to the pages. The action is plenty and I found myself floating in the open water with the boys sharing the danger with them. I look forward to seeing what kind of sticky situations Sam Fox finds himself in during his next adventure in Scorpion Sting. That sure sounds dangerous.

I rated this book an 8½ out of 10.
Profile Image for Connor Schmidt.
6 reviews
April 13, 2011
This book is about a boy named sam fox, he is about 12 years old and he has a broken leg with plaster wrapped tightly around his leg.He is at the great barrier reef for a holiday. He is on a reef with another kid named michi they are wading out in the shallows looking at sea life and creaturs. When a freak wave comes and washes them both out off the reef sam fox is a good swimmmer but with his cast on he can barly swim, michi can't swim but luckily she has floaties to keep him afloat. Before they new it they were already a few hundred meters off shore, sam linked up with michi and together they were staying afloat. soon after they were swept off they were attacked by sharks sam fended them off with his plaster cast. Eventually there swept up onto an island they both were exhausted from about 24 hours out at sea, they find a boat on this island but it's not good guys it's some ilegal smugglers. They were smuggling ostriches and animals out of Australia. They captured sam, but he escaped because Michi is actually a karate master and she is very famous television star. They escape by boat and there reunited with their parents.

Sam Fox: Is an average boy who is on a holiday at the great barrier reef. He has an older brother who loves animals and his also very smart.

Michi: Michi is a 10 year old girl who has japanese backrounds. she is an only child, shes a karate master and is famous on tv.

I would rate this book for: 10-13 year olds.

Profile Image for Hailey Johns.
17 reviews6 followers
December 7, 2012
The book I read was Extreme Adventures Shark Bait by Justin D'Ath the genre is adventure. The main character is Sam Fox. Sam is a 14 year old boy he had a broken foot he is tall and has brown hair. Other people treat him nice and like a hero.Sam is on Utopia Island on vacation during his summer break. Sam is mostly in the water the surrounds Utopia Island.In the begging Sam is looking at a coral reef when a big wave sweeps him and Michi his Japanese friend in to the water.In the middle of the book Sam and Michi are in the water and cant get out because sharks keep coming neither of them get bit. In the end of the book the get on an island that is on the total opposite side of Utopia island and they meet up with scammers that are selling birds illegally and they lock Sam in a bird cage with a deadly bird. P.S.I DON'T WANT TO SAY ANY MORE TO BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO SPOIL IT FOR ANYONE.I liked the book because its adventurous but i disliked it because it wasn't as action packed like Bushfire Rescue.I think the author did a great job writing this book and I don't think he should change it. If I had to give this book a rating from 1 - 5 stars i would give it a 3 because it wasn't action packed. You should read this book if you like the other Extreme Adventure books and if you like adventure books you will like this one.
8 reviews1 follower
September 14, 2011
1- a book about survival.
2- I decided to read this book because the cover took in my interest and because i completely adore sharks! and read most books that come across me involving sharks.
3- I liked how it involved other animals, and gave me an picture into my head on been ini the water and feeling all the things that the characters felt and were going through in the book.
4- The guys names got muddled up with different characters.
5- Not Ms Mulcahy because she doesn't like books about sharks! But anyone else who enjoys a good book about adventure should read this! it lovely.
Profile Image for Jess.
141 reviews13 followers
February 20, 2013
This was a good little book. It was so interesting that I can’t help but think what it would have been like if expanded into an adult novel rather than a 140-page quick read for kids. Probably something like a Matthew Reilly book, I suppose. This book was fast-paced and absolutely full of action, which made for an entertaining, if quick, read.
Profile Image for Ashley.
364 reviews2 followers
July 9, 2015
Sam Fox is an average Australian boy on vacation with his family on an island resort. Things turn bad quickly when he and another boy about his age get swept out to sea by a large wave. All kinds of trouble awaits them in the open water.

A fast-paced book full of action and suspense. A good read for elementary and middle school students.
Profile Image for Ollie.
666 reviews5 followers
July 28, 2015
This book is for boys. It is not for the faint of heart. It has sharks, Dolphins, sea snakes, injury, violence, a pit bull and a cassowarie. It has ninja fighting and dealing with smugglers. There is a delightful twist at the end. I never thought I would say it but I think I was more worried about the sea snakes than I was about sharks.
Profile Image for Mari Anne.
1,490 reviews27 followers
April 1, 2015
As long as you are prepared to suspend your disbelief, you will enjoy this book. This has been my favorite so far in this series. Kids, especially boys, in the target audience will probably love the non stop action and adventure. proudly best for grades 4-8.
Profile Image for Braeden L..
2 reviews8 followers
September 1, 2015
I read this book last year and I really enjoyed it. There is a lot of action in this book, if you like action books I think this would be the book and series for you. One other book that you might like is Crocodile Attack. The author is Justin D'Ath.
Profile Image for Jonha aranui.
2 reviews1 follower
May 24, 2011
i love the book.. it brang my feeling out in that boo xx
7 reviews
August 1, 2012
Mildly entertaining. Good for when there's nothing else to read.
1 review
July 27, 2015
Amazing read and I loved al of the entente action
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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