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Shark Girl #1
Shark Girl
A teenager struggles through physical loss to the start of acceptance in an absorbing, artful novel at once honest and insightful, wrenching and redemptive.
On a sunny day in June, at the beach with her mom and brother, fifteen-year-old Jane Arrowood went for a swim. And then everything — absolutely everything — changed. Now she’s counting down the days until she returns to school with her fake arm, where she knows kids will whisper, "That’s her — that’s Shark Girl," as she passes. In the meantime there are only Why did this happen? Why her? What about her art? What about her life? In this striking first novel, Kelly Bingham uses poems, letters, telephone conversations, and newspaper clippings to look unflinchingly at what it’s like to lose part of yourself — and to summon the courage it takes to find yourself again.
On a sunny day in June, at the beach with her mom and brother, fifteen-year-old Jane Arrowood went for a swim. And then everything — absolutely everything — changed. Now she’s counting down the days until she returns to school with her fake arm, where she knows kids will whisper, "That’s her — that’s Shark Girl," as she passes. In the meantime there are only Why did this happen? Why her? What about her art? What about her life? In this striking first novel, Kelly Bingham uses poems, letters, telephone conversations, and newspaper clippings to look unflinchingly at what it’s like to lose part of yourself — and to summon the courage it takes to find yourself again.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
168 people are currently reading
2107 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Bingham
6 books40 followersKelly 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 638 reviews
August 14, 2020
SHARK WEEK CONTINUES!!! IT WILL NEVER STOP BEING SHARK WEEK!!
roger daltrey may not get fooled again, but for me, it happens time after time.
dear books, please tell me when you are going to be poetry.
this is Family all over again.
this is a book about a girl who loses an arm to a shark attack. A SHARK ATTACK!! this has "me" written all over it! not because i have lost an arm to a shark attack (although it would explain my atrocious typing) - i would never go near the ocean. and why?? because of all the bleeding sharks, duh.
but i do loves me some sharks.
so i thought it would be great. but i didn't know it was another novel in verse. like Family or Sold or Out of the Dust. what is it about horrific situations that make authors think they are ripe for poetry? this isn't even poetry written by the shark-attack victim. this is just a book in verse, for no reason!
i run my hand
along the spines of the albums
lined across the shelves.
my finger rests on the plaid one.
dad's last year.
i know all the pictures by heart,
and today, i'm in the mood to see his face.
but not
all those pictures
of the two-armed me.
why could that not have simply been written as straight prose?
"get out here, we've got lots to do."
michael has the lawn mower
and clippers.
"bring the trash can," he tells me.
no, friends, that is not one of the lost stanzas from leaves of grass, that is from shark girl, a book of poetry that chronicles the toll that yardwork takes on a one-armed girl.
unreal.
again, this is my own damn fault, so i sorta feel bad about the two-star rating, because i'm sure this book has an audience that just isn't me. it does a fine job of chronicling the transition a girl has to make in order to exist as a newly one-armed girl with the stares of friends and strangers and the difficulty of performing tasks she once took for granted, and lord knows i could have opened the book to see if it was written in verse, but shouldn't books come with warning labels?
the boston globe claims that this is "a poetic and beautiful debut novel" which is not that same thing as saying, "hey readers, this book is in verse!"
i just want a little warning next time. i really just wanted to come home and write a review for Sweetly, but i started reading this book immediately upon finishing Sweetly, and after i finished it, i was just all rarin' to go and rant on the internet. so this is where we are.
shark attack book. in verse.
fin.
hahahhaah i didn't realize that was a pun until i typed it. wheeee!
come to my blog!
roger daltrey may not get fooled again, but for me, it happens time after time.
dear books, please tell me when you are going to be poetry.
this is Family all over again.
this is a book about a girl who loses an arm to a shark attack. A SHARK ATTACK!! this has "me" written all over it! not because i have lost an arm to a shark attack (although it would explain my atrocious typing) - i would never go near the ocean. and why?? because of all the bleeding sharks, duh.
but i do loves me some sharks.
so i thought it would be great. but i didn't know it was another novel in verse. like Family or Sold or Out of the Dust. what is it about horrific situations that make authors think they are ripe for poetry? this isn't even poetry written by the shark-attack victim. this is just a book in verse, for no reason!
i run my hand
along the spines of the albums
lined across the shelves.
my finger rests on the plaid one.
dad's last year.
i know all the pictures by heart,
and today, i'm in the mood to see his face.
but not
all those pictures
of the two-armed me.
why could that not have simply been written as straight prose?
"get out here, we've got lots to do."
michael has the lawn mower
and clippers.
"bring the trash can," he tells me.
no, friends, that is not one of the lost stanzas from leaves of grass, that is from shark girl, a book of poetry that chronicles the toll that yardwork takes on a one-armed girl.
unreal.
again, this is my own damn fault, so i sorta feel bad about the two-star rating, because i'm sure this book has an audience that just isn't me. it does a fine job of chronicling the transition a girl has to make in order to exist as a newly one-armed girl with the stares of friends and strangers and the difficulty of performing tasks she once took for granted, and lord knows i could have opened the book to see if it was written in verse, but shouldn't books come with warning labels?
the boston globe claims that this is "a poetic and beautiful debut novel" which is not that same thing as saying, "hey readers, this book is in verse!"
i just want a little warning next time. i really just wanted to come home and write a review for Sweetly, but i started reading this book immediately upon finishing Sweetly, and after i finished it, i was just all rarin' to go and rant on the internet. so this is where we are.
shark attack book. in verse.
fin.
hahahhaah i didn't realize that was a pun until i typed it. wheeee!
come to my blog!
December 23, 2021
just found a note that I wrote to myself when I was about 11 that this was a 4-star book
February 26, 2023
2008: The minute I saw this book I was hooked on its premise; I couldn't wait to read something that dealt with the aftermath of a shark attack. I didn't flip through the pages before I checked it out of the library, though, and as soon as I opened it I was disappointed to see that it was written largely in poems. I read it anyway, because I still wanted to know what happened. But this is the last book I will ever read in that format, because when most of your lines don't even cross the page, this stylistic "edge" seems to come at the expense of description. As a result, I ended up feeling that what could have been a rich, deep story instead barely skimmed the surface of events.
2014: since people have complained about the above comment...I guess I'd like to add that while I understand it takes the same amount of work to write a book in poem form, it is a choice I can't agree with because it makes it look less dedicated. It's kind of like drawing a realistic picture and then throwing paint on it to emulate a popular abstract artist. I do appreciate poetry as an art form, but some stories can be explored through lyrical writing while others need be told as straightforward plots with driving action. This was the latter.)
2021: my stance on novels-in-verse has softened somewhat over the years and I've read a good handful (though it's still not my favorite style)...but I do maintain that this particular book would have been better served as prose.
2014: since people have complained about the above comment...I guess I'd like to add that while I understand it takes the same amount of work to write a book in poem form, it is a choice I can't agree with because it makes it look less dedicated. It's kind of like drawing a realistic picture and then throwing paint on it to emulate a popular abstract artist. I do appreciate poetry as an art form, but some stories can be explored through lyrical writing while others need be told as straightforward plots with driving action. This was the latter.)
2021: my stance on novels-in-verse has softened somewhat over the years and I've read a good handful (though it's still not my favorite style)...but I do maintain that this particular book would have been better served as prose.
November 25, 2007
I would not call this book a lot of things: I would not call it Novel in Verse; I would not call it inspirational or affecting; I would not call it finely crafted or artistic; I would not call it a Young Adult Novel, even. I could see that this two-hour-or-less and you're done reading a 250+ page book might be popular for a while among young readers because of its subject matter of dealing with a life's rarer hardship and that nothing in the book offends anyone's senses by being too gorey or two upsetting or too difficult to grapple with. All is wrapped up nice and well at the end and you can see that she will go on living a fulfilling and happy life and isn't that peachy! I am not saying that books dealing with hard subject matters should all have sad or despairing endings, of course not, but could we please have events and emotions more layered and maybe with less of an up-and-up-and-up curve, but a bumpier emotional line, like in real life?
April 24, 2010
I was interested in reading this book because my students read a story about Bethany Hamilton (mentioned in this book) at the beginning of every school year. I thought, since they're always interested in knowing more about Bethany and what she went through, this would be a good book to recommend.
It is... kind of. Jane must go through quite a bit of what Bethany does: dealing with the faces, the concern, the random notes and gifts, the helicopter nurses and doctors, the therapy, the self-pity and the determination. But Jane takes a lot longer to get somewhere with it. Honestly, I was fairly frustrated with her for taking so long, and she's a fictional character. (That, there, is the sign of either a well-written book or a very absorbed reader.)
Told in verse, it'll be a quick read for teenagers who don't like to read, but interesting enough to get into and stay in, I think. The verse is not as complex as other poem-novels I've read recently (Make Lemonade and Crank come to mind), but still a welcome format.
It is... kind of. Jane must go through quite a bit of what Bethany does: dealing with the faces, the concern, the random notes and gifts, the helicopter nurses and doctors, the therapy, the self-pity and the determination. But Jane takes a lot longer to get somewhere with it. Honestly, I was fairly frustrated with her for taking so long, and she's a fictional character. (That, there, is the sign of either a well-written book or a very absorbed reader.)
Told in verse, it'll be a quick read for teenagers who don't like to read, but interesting enough to get into and stay in, I think. The verse is not as complex as other poem-novels I've read recently (Make Lemonade and Crank come to mind), but still a welcome format.
April 24, 2021
When I first saw the title of this book, I thought it would be non-fiction about Bethany Hamilton, the girl famous for getting her arm bitten off by a shark while she was surfing in Kauai. I actually went to the very beach where that happened a few summers ago. This story just reminded me so much of that awful day and how much Bethany grew from and wouldn't let herself be held down by what happened to her. She's a true inspiration.
In this book, Jane is the girl who gets her arm bitten off and she is trying to build her life with a new direction. Obviously, losing any of one's appendages would be super traumatic and that person's life will never be the same; however, that doesn't mean it can't or won't ever be fulfilling. In Jane's case, she loves to paint so (as it seemingly often happens) the loss of her arm was particularly devastating to her.
In this book, Jane is the girl who gets her arm bitten off and she is trying to build her life with a new direction. Obviously, losing any of one's appendages would be super traumatic and that person's life will never be the same; however, that doesn't mean it can't or won't ever be fulfilling. In Jane's case, she loves to paint so (as it seemingly often happens) the loss of her arm was particularly devastating to her.
March 18, 2020
Shark Girl was okay but it had a good ending. It was one of the books where you keep wanting to skip the next page because it is kind of boring but also good. If I could, it would be a three in a half but goodreads has a major flaw and you can't do so.
May 24, 2019
I enjoyed reading this book. It made me realize the challenges the character faces in this book. This book is about a girl whose name is Jane. One day, she goes to the beach with her mom and brother, and she went to go for a swim in the water. Then, she doesn't see it at all, but a shark comes up to her and bit her arm off. Jane's brother dove into the water to save her. Jane then goes to the hospital and has to get her arm amputated. She then got a prosthetic arm and it is harder for her to do the things she used to do. Then, when she goes to school, kids at her school are whispering and talking about her because Jane's accident was reported ALL over the news. Jane tries to get through the school t=year strong and she wants to do the things that she used to do. I would definitely recommend this book, it was very enjoyable and I loved reading it.
January 13, 2020
It was okay, I liked how it made you feel right in the story. A bit slow in the middle, but fast in the end and beginning. I recommend this to people that can handle the ocean fails and blood. lots of blood.
October 25, 2022
Book in verse appropriate for middle and high school. This is a format that I recommend for reluctant readers in my middle school library.
I appreciated the unique storyline, the journey the protagonist went through, and the hopeful tone, all of which I feel would appeal to our students.
I appreciated the unique storyline, the journey the protagonist went through, and the hopeful tone, all of which I feel would appeal to our students.
June 20, 2019
My students will probably like this “novel in verse” just fine, but I couldn’t get into it...mostly because IMO it is poorly written.
June 11, 2012
Shark Girl, a book by Kelly Bingham, tells the story of a young girl who is struggling to regain her life after being attacked by a shark, and losing her arm.
On a sunny day at the beach with her mom and brother, fifteen year old Jane Arrowood’s life would change forever. While going for a swim alone she is attacked by a shark, luckily her brother spotted her and was able to get her to the hospital. Although lucky to be alive, Jane doesn’t want to face the fact that her arm is gone forever. She knows people everywhere, especially at school will be asking her questions like “did you see the video?” The dreadful video of her attack which she never wants to see. Jane also worries that she will never be able to paint again, and painting was her life. Along the way Jane will meet new friends that help her through the process, and also receive many letters from people expressing their sadness for her, or seeking to help her by sharing their stories. She eventually realizes that she will get through this for herself and for everyone else in a situation similar to hers.
Shark Girl would be a book I would recommend to you if you would like to read something a bit different. Kelly Bingham tells the story of Jane Arrowood through letters, poems, phone calls, etc. It’s not your average book, which makes it very entertaining. On the similar side, if you enjoyed the true story of Bethany Hamilton, portrayed in the book “Soul Surfer”, then you would definitely like this story. They share very similar stories, except one is true and the other is realistic fiction. Overall this book was very interesting to me, and it was a page turner. You would definitely be able to read this book very fast, while enjoying it.
On a sunny day at the beach with her mom and brother, fifteen year old Jane Arrowood’s life would change forever. While going for a swim alone she is attacked by a shark, luckily her brother spotted her and was able to get her to the hospital. Although lucky to be alive, Jane doesn’t want to face the fact that her arm is gone forever. She knows people everywhere, especially at school will be asking her questions like “did you see the video?” The dreadful video of her attack which she never wants to see. Jane also worries that she will never be able to paint again, and painting was her life. Along the way Jane will meet new friends that help her through the process, and also receive many letters from people expressing their sadness for her, or seeking to help her by sharing their stories. She eventually realizes that she will get through this for herself and for everyone else in a situation similar to hers.
Shark Girl would be a book I would recommend to you if you would like to read something a bit different. Kelly Bingham tells the story of Jane Arrowood through letters, poems, phone calls, etc. It’s not your average book, which makes it very entertaining. On the similar side, if you enjoyed the true story of Bethany Hamilton, portrayed in the book “Soul Surfer”, then you would definitely like this story. They share very similar stories, except one is true and the other is realistic fiction. Overall this book was very interesting to me, and it was a page turner. You would definitely be able to read this book very fast, while enjoying it.
December 18, 2015
SPOILERS INCLUDED
Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham is a realistic fiction novel about a girl whose whole life changed in an instant. Jane Arrowood is a fifteen year old girl with a passion as an artist. She had won the school art show now two years in a row and was going for a third. Yet, on one summer day in June at a California beach called, Point Dume State Beach, one swim changed Jane’s life forever. The moment she woke up and heard all the news reports of “Teen girl attacked by shark on public beach” over and over again, she knew her career as an artist had come to a close and maybe her social life with it. Through tragedy and bravery it took months for Jane to ever recover from this horrific incident. From my own personal experience from when I was in an accident and not knowing if I would ever be able to pursue basketball, I found Jane’s reaction to be completely right. Bingham shows in Jane that god gives his fights to the strongest people. It was amazing to see Jane make her way back from this horrible accident and eventually try and draw again. Despite my love for this book, it was a little hard to understand how the book was written. It was a little confusing to understand Bingham's writing style since it was written through poems, but as the book went on and the reader becomes more familiar with Jane it is easier to comprehend. I recommend this book to anyone that has suffered through an amputated limb or accident or for anyone that has fought through some of the lowest of the lows because this book shows how anything is worth fighting for.
Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham is a realistic fiction novel about a girl whose whole life changed in an instant. Jane Arrowood is a fifteen year old girl with a passion as an artist. She had won the school art show now two years in a row and was going for a third. Yet, on one summer day in June at a California beach called, Point Dume State Beach, one swim changed Jane’s life forever. The moment she woke up and heard all the news reports of “Teen girl attacked by shark on public beach” over and over again, she knew her career as an artist had come to a close and maybe her social life with it. Through tragedy and bravery it took months for Jane to ever recover from this horrific incident. From my own personal experience from when I was in an accident and not knowing if I would ever be able to pursue basketball, I found Jane’s reaction to be completely right. Bingham shows in Jane that god gives his fights to the strongest people. It was amazing to see Jane make her way back from this horrible accident and eventually try and draw again. Despite my love for this book, it was a little hard to understand how the book was written. It was a little confusing to understand Bingham's writing style since it was written through poems, but as the book went on and the reader becomes more familiar with Jane it is easier to comprehend. I recommend this book to anyone that has suffered through an amputated limb or accident or for anyone that has fought through some of the lowest of the lows because this book shows how anything is worth fighting for.
May 2, 2018
This book was moving in such a positive way. In this book, Jane was unbelievably strong. After the accident, she at first had not wanted to do anything or see anyone. She realized that she was going to have to deal with it and went on like any other would do. No matter how hard it was she wouldn't give up and that's why it pulled me in to continue reading it. It stood out to me when she had said to Justin that "She had lost an arm not a leg so I can't draw anymore." When Justin had asked her to draw him a picture because she had said she had a passion for drawing. Overall this was a very quick read and a good book.
May 27, 2008
What I really liked about this novel in verse is how it showed that Jane had to redefine herself, to remake herself, after her accident. She had to learn to accept herself before others could accept her, and she had to be willing to explore new options. I read it all in one sitting--couldn't put it down! This would make a great discussion book.
December 25, 2016
This novella-length story is about a teenager learning to live having lost one arm, her ability to draw, and her privacy. It seemed just about perfect for a young-adult story. Best part? No shoe-horned romance.
March 10, 2024
I have always loved books in verse. Anytime I hear that a book is written in verse, it is automatically on my TBR. In my opinion, this book, however, would have been more powerful if it was written in prose. I know that there is a sequel to this book so it is possible that pieces I felt were missing are featured there instead.
Quick summary: Jane Arrowood and her family go to the beach on a nice summer day. She is attacked by a shark and her right arm needs to be amputated above the elbow. What follows is her struggle both with pain and as well as trying to find her "new normal." Written with poems, letters, phone conversations, newspaper clippings, and inner monologues, readers go through each and ever step along Jane's journey.
I really appreciated the honest in this book. Having something like this happen is a really painful and tough journey and I was glad that Bingham didn't try to make it seem like everything was happy and sunshine right away. There are so many times where there are new stories of children surviving horrible things and they are always complemented on being so strong and inspirational. But often times, the stories don't show everything else happening behind the scenes.
In this story, Jane is an artist and now her one love in life is gone. So she lost not just a limb and is dealing with the physical pain but dealing with the mental and emotional pain of losing what she loved so much. I am glad that Bingham showed that sometimes the process to deal with everything that has been thrown your way may be much longer than you expect.
I appreciated the honesty and raw emotion told in this story. Not everyone stands right up and says "This won't stop me." Depression is very real, especially in situations like this, so I am glad that there is a book that shows that side of it all. It is a very quick read and definitely worth it!
Quick summary: Jane Arrowood and her family go to the beach on a nice summer day. She is attacked by a shark and her right arm needs to be amputated above the elbow. What follows is her struggle both with pain and as well as trying to find her "new normal." Written with poems, letters, phone conversations, newspaper clippings, and inner monologues, readers go through each and ever step along Jane's journey.
I really appreciated the honest in this book. Having something like this happen is a really painful and tough journey and I was glad that Bingham didn't try to make it seem like everything was happy and sunshine right away. There are so many times where there are new stories of children surviving horrible things and they are always complemented on being so strong and inspirational. But often times, the stories don't show everything else happening behind the scenes.
In this story, Jane is an artist and now her one love in life is gone. So she lost not just a limb and is dealing with the physical pain but dealing with the mental and emotional pain of losing what she loved so much. I am glad that Bingham showed that sometimes the process to deal with everything that has been thrown your way may be much longer than you expect.
I appreciated the honesty and raw emotion told in this story. Not everyone stands right up and says "This won't stop me." Depression is very real, especially in situations like this, so I am glad that there is a book that shows that side of it all. It is a very quick read and definitely worth it!
June 21, 2019
Kylie Frank
Ms. Rice
Summer school session one
19 June 2018
Personal Response: I liked the book Shark Girl. I liked the book because it told a story about a girl swimming while her arm was chewed off by a shark. I'm not much of a reader. When I read this book, it had me hooked. I would like to read more books by Kelly Bingham.
Plot:
Shark Girl. mostly took place on the sunny beach in June. The story took place at a beach, that is where Jane had her arm chewed off by a shark. Jane is now known as the "shark girl." She was sent to the hospital. They had to amputate her arm. Jane hated being in the hospital, the food, the beeping of calls, being woken up for no reason she hated it. Jane could not wait to go home. On the day she was released from the hospital, she was happy but scared. Jane is "Plain Jane" as people would call her. She was not too talkative but had only a small group of friends. When she got out of the hospital, she was scared to go back out into the world and try to do simple activities as she used to do. Everyone, including family and friends, would always say to her, "I did not think you were going to make it.” Jane would receive letters from people saying "how sorry they are for her." Later in the book, Jane was sent home where she needs to learn how to do everyday activities. Later in the book, Jane is sent back to school. Jane went to school where she was stared at, listened to people saying "there's the shark girl.” Some people would try to talk to her just to talk about what happened to her arm. Even the hottest guy in the school had talked to her because he felt bad and watched the video on the news. Jane realized that just because she had her arm taken off by a shark, life was not such a bad thing after all.
Characterization:
Jane was the main character, the one who got her arm chewed off by a shark. Although she feels like she can do everything she used to, she will only soon to realize that She has only one arm.
Another character was Jane's mother who was pushing her to start drawing again. Her mom made sure to keep her up and going. At times her mom got frustrated with Jane, because Jane thought she’s able to do everything without help, Jane could not accept the fact that she needed help doing some things.
Justin was the boy who Jane met in the hospital. He had his leg amputated. Justin pushed Jane to start drawing again.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to high school kids ages fifteen and up. The content in the book is too high for middle schoolers. I think high schoolers would like it because it teaches a lesson about how they don't have it too bad. Just because some people may have an injury does not mean they're any less of a person. I think high schoolers would like the book because it shows that no matter what goes on in life people can and will make it.
Ms. Rice
Summer school session one
19 June 2018
Personal Response: I liked the book Shark Girl. I liked the book because it told a story about a girl swimming while her arm was chewed off by a shark. I'm not much of a reader. When I read this book, it had me hooked. I would like to read more books by Kelly Bingham.
Plot:
Shark Girl. mostly took place on the sunny beach in June. The story took place at a beach, that is where Jane had her arm chewed off by a shark. Jane is now known as the "shark girl." She was sent to the hospital. They had to amputate her arm. Jane hated being in the hospital, the food, the beeping of calls, being woken up for no reason she hated it. Jane could not wait to go home. On the day she was released from the hospital, she was happy but scared. Jane is "Plain Jane" as people would call her. She was not too talkative but had only a small group of friends. When she got out of the hospital, she was scared to go back out into the world and try to do simple activities as she used to do. Everyone, including family and friends, would always say to her, "I did not think you were going to make it.” Jane would receive letters from people saying "how sorry they are for her." Later in the book, Jane was sent home where she needs to learn how to do everyday activities. Later in the book, Jane is sent back to school. Jane went to school where she was stared at, listened to people saying "there's the shark girl.” Some people would try to talk to her just to talk about what happened to her arm. Even the hottest guy in the school had talked to her because he felt bad and watched the video on the news. Jane realized that just because she had her arm taken off by a shark, life was not such a bad thing after all.
Characterization:
Jane was the main character, the one who got her arm chewed off by a shark. Although she feels like she can do everything she used to, she will only soon to realize that She has only one arm.
Another character was Jane's mother who was pushing her to start drawing again. Her mom made sure to keep her up and going. At times her mom got frustrated with Jane, because Jane thought she’s able to do everything without help, Jane could not accept the fact that she needed help doing some things.
Justin was the boy who Jane met in the hospital. He had his leg amputated. Justin pushed Jane to start drawing again.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to high school kids ages fifteen and up. The content in the book is too high for middle schoolers. I think high schoolers would like it because it teaches a lesson about how they don't have it too bad. Just because some people may have an injury does not mean they're any less of a person. I think high schoolers would like the book because it shows that no matter what goes on in life people can and will make it.
May 29, 2019
Jane, Jane's mom, and Michael went swimming at the beach and Michael was busy looking at the girls. Then suddenly a shark appeared and Jane got attacked! She lost her arm. Everyone was screaming and running all over the place and one guy got a video of it and he sent it to the news, it was all over the place. I think Jane got in one of those situations where she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. When Jane finally got to the hospital she saw th video and started cursing at the tv. Every day in the hospital and out she got letters from all over the world. I think her situation could have been a lot worst, it's obviously not a good thing to get your arm bit off but at least she got letters.
Jane had to get a fake arm, she somewhat hated it because it got hot and it was summer time. She also had to go to school and everyone would gossip about her arm. So she didn't wear it unless she was in public. It bothers me how they talked about her when she can't really control it, and I'm pretty sure it's not like she wanted to have her arm bit off
She got used to not having an arm any more and she happily got a job at the hospital where she could be a helper. Everything eventually ended out well and she got adjusted to things with her arm.
Jane had to get a fake arm, she somewhat hated it because it got hot and it was summer time. She also had to go to school and everyone would gossip about her arm. So she didn't wear it unless she was in public. It bothers me how they talked about her when she can't really control it, and I'm pretty sure it's not like she wanted to have her arm bit off
She got used to not having an arm any more and she happily got a job at the hospital where she could be a helper. Everything eventually ended out well and she got adjusted to things with her arm.
October 25, 2025
Fifteen-year-old Jane is on a family outing at the beach. While in the water, a shark attacks her, and she loses her right arm. This is the premise of Shark Girl, a novel told in free verse. The author, Kelly Bingham, also uses newspaper articles, letters, and conversations to convey the story, which relieves the claustrophobia of a hospitalized first-person narrator. I became caught up in Jane's relationships with family, friends, and the strangers she encounters as she heals. I think she was particularly lucky with her family. Her mood swings seemed believable and familiar: they reminded me of my own YA days.
YA novels-in-verse are almost effortless to read, and yet carry a strong emotional impact. Some of the more lyrical elements of poetry are reduced in favor of plot, character development, and, to a lesser extent, setting. Still, I've been impressed here and in other YA verse-novels by each poem's structure and how line endings and turns amplify the poem's plot and purpose.
YA novels-in-verse are almost effortless to read, and yet carry a strong emotional impact. Some of the more lyrical elements of poetry are reduced in favor of plot, character development, and, to a lesser extent, setting. Still, I've been impressed here and in other YA verse-novels by each poem's structure and how line endings and turns amplify the poem's plot and purpose.
February 28, 2022
I gave the book Shark Girl a 5 out of 5 star rating. One reason I rated this book high was because of how intriguing it was. I felt like there was never a point in the book when I got bored of the plot. There were scenes in the book that was unexpected and it made me want to continue reading the next chapter. There have not been many books I’ve read where I didn’t want to put it down. I also liked how the plot was set up throughout the book. They went back to some of the main first points a lot which helped refresh your mind of what has happened. But there was a few things hat i was not a big fan of. I wish the author would have developed the characters in the beginning more of, rather then giving some more of the key details in the later moments of the book. I also would have liked to see some more action during the climax of the book. Overall this book was very good.
November 17, 2025
it was entertaining enough for me to finish which is saying something. the ammount of unfinished books i have laying around because they were too boring is insane. the story line of this was pretty good and jane seemed like a pretty realistic character. the two things that bothered me was that it felt like reading a Sparknotes and the character’s names. i just felt like it was a summary of a book and not an actual book because it spanned such a long time frame with so little explanation. and also why name the siblings jane and michael? what is this, mary poppins?? ALSO WHAT IS THE WORDING😭 like tell me why the author says that she “hooked up again with justin.” ITS A PLAY DATe💀💀💀 he is a CHILD😭😭 does girly have no knowledge of slang to be saying these preposterous things?? at this point im pretty sure the author lives under a rock
May 18, 2019
This book was about a girl named Jane who loves to do art and draw and art was her happy place until one morning she was swimming and she got taken under by a shark. And everyone started to run out of the water. And a guy video tapping his child playing in the sand saw what was happening and started to record it as it was all going on. She got pulled out of the water and her arm was just dangling by a piece of skin and blood was oozing everywhere. Throughout the story she goes threw hard times watching the video being played over and over on the news. So Jane has to over come her fears and has to learn how to draw with her other hand. So I really like this book it has a lot going on and it is kind of sand to think that a girl who lost her arm because of a shark got back together and began to live her normal life. So if like book with a lot going on and some sadness then this book would be just right for you.
July 5, 2023
I really enjoyed this story. I felt like I really connected with the main character and I was able to empathize with her loss.
I loved one of the quotes at the end. Really inspiring! Happy Shark Week! 🦈
I loved one of the quotes at the end. Really inspiring! Happy Shark Week! 🦈
March 1, 2016
****SPOILER ALERT****
Have you ever felt the pain of only having one arm? Well in this book there is a teenage girl named Jane that looses her arm because he was bitten by a shark. This teenage girl was a regular normal teen that liked having fun going out with friends and enjoying her time with her family on the beach. Jane went to a really happy teenager to a depressed one.
Jane and her mom and brother went out to the beach because it was really nice that day out. Jane lost her father when she was a little kid and after since that it has always just been them 3. This takes place in the summer time. Jane decided to go for a swim in the beach Jane's mother told her brother to go with Jane. He didn't Jane went on her own. While Jane was swimming a shark bit her and she lost her arm her brother was the one that saved her life. This book has to do with person vs natural because jane was swimming while a shark bit her and lost her arm. Also because it was a animal that was the one that bit her right arm off. The theme of this story is how people now a days change for a simple action. iI think this because in the book it says that Jane loved to draw and she wanted to become an artist but now she really can't because she lost one of her arm. I also think this because after what happened to Jane Everyone knew about her she came out on the news of her gotten bitten by a shark. Also after this everyone now tries looking up to her because she was really brave after everything also after this to was in therapy to get like she was back than and Jane did.
A major event that happened in this story was Jane getting bitten by the shark and everything for Jane changed when that happened She wasn't that really cool fun and happy girl anymore after this. The character does show motivation in this story because she went through a lot of hard times and and depprision but after everything got better she was back to normal like a normal teenager. Major symbol in this story is how Jane supported everything she went through. The title of this story does relate to the book because she got bitten by a shark so she is now a victim of a shark so is a 'Shark Girl' now and that is what the title is called. A quote of this book that i liked is 'I let him prattle on. He's trying to help. But obviously, he's never been in my shoes.' I like this quote because it shows that no one really know what Jane has been through and how she actually feels.
My favorite part was when Jane lets the people know that they don't know what she's going through because thats not true no one really knows what she was going through. An interesting thing I learned from this book was that how people can change by loosing something that is part of there life. Because many people support many hurtful things that happen to them in there life. but Here Jane goes through a lot of stuff that changed her through her life. I was surprised when i first read this book and it said that she lost her arm because of a shark. When i first started reading this book I thought it was of something else related to her and the sharks I didn't expect her to lose her arm. I was moved when in the story it said that Jane had lost her father at a young age also that she was going through a really rough time after was happened o her.
I rate this book 5 stars because I really enjoyed this book. One of the the reasons i enjoyed this book was that it shows all her emotions and all the hard times this story was a little bit sad but at the end I really did enjoy this book of Jane and how she supported everything. I recommend this book that likes people that think ending there life is a better choice than looking forward for help. Also that find things to motivate them because this is a book that motivates a lot of people that goes through many painful things in there life. Can you ever imagine yourself going through everything that Jane went through? Many things happen to people and they don't expect it at all.
Have you ever felt the pain of only having one arm? Well in this book there is a teenage girl named Jane that looses her arm because he was bitten by a shark. This teenage girl was a regular normal teen that liked having fun going out with friends and enjoying her time with her family on the beach. Jane went to a really happy teenager to a depressed one.
Jane and her mom and brother went out to the beach because it was really nice that day out. Jane lost her father when she was a little kid and after since that it has always just been them 3. This takes place in the summer time. Jane decided to go for a swim in the beach Jane's mother told her brother to go with Jane. He didn't Jane went on her own. While Jane was swimming a shark bit her and she lost her arm her brother was the one that saved her life. This book has to do with person vs natural because jane was swimming while a shark bit her and lost her arm. Also because it was a animal that was the one that bit her right arm off. The theme of this story is how people now a days change for a simple action. iI think this because in the book it says that Jane loved to draw and she wanted to become an artist but now she really can't because she lost one of her arm. I also think this because after what happened to Jane Everyone knew about her she came out on the news of her gotten bitten by a shark. Also after this everyone now tries looking up to her because she was really brave after everything also after this to was in therapy to get like she was back than and Jane did.
A major event that happened in this story was Jane getting bitten by the shark and everything for Jane changed when that happened She wasn't that really cool fun and happy girl anymore after this. The character does show motivation in this story because she went through a lot of hard times and and depprision but after everything got better she was back to normal like a normal teenager. Major symbol in this story is how Jane supported everything she went through. The title of this story does relate to the book because she got bitten by a shark so she is now a victim of a shark so is a 'Shark Girl' now and that is what the title is called. A quote of this book that i liked is 'I let him prattle on. He's trying to help. But obviously, he's never been in my shoes.' I like this quote because it shows that no one really know what Jane has been through and how she actually feels.
My favorite part was when Jane lets the people know that they don't know what she's going through because thats not true no one really knows what she was going through. An interesting thing I learned from this book was that how people can change by loosing something that is part of there life. Because many people support many hurtful things that happen to them in there life. but Here Jane goes through a lot of stuff that changed her through her life. I was surprised when i first read this book and it said that she lost her arm because of a shark. When i first started reading this book I thought it was of something else related to her and the sharks I didn't expect her to lose her arm. I was moved when in the story it said that Jane had lost her father at a young age also that she was going through a really rough time after was happened o her.
I rate this book 5 stars because I really enjoyed this book. One of the the reasons i enjoyed this book was that it shows all her emotions and all the hard times this story was a little bit sad but at the end I really did enjoy this book of Jane and how she supported everything. I recommend this book that likes people that think ending there life is a better choice than looking forward for help. Also that find things to motivate them because this is a book that motivates a lot of people that goes through many painful things in there life. Can you ever imagine yourself going through everything that Jane went through? Many things happen to people and they don't expect it at all.
May 4, 2018
Personal Response:
I loved this book because it was very inspiring. I thought it was cool that this girl, who got her arm bit off my a shark, readjusted to live life living without an arm. The author did a very good job explaining everything in detail, and I never wanted to put the book down. I would definitely read this book again sometime.
Plot:
This book is about a girl who got her arm bit off by a shark on vacation. Her name is Jane. After being bit by a shark her right arm was amputated, and she was in a coma for 10 days. A person that saw this attack happen, videotaped it and posted it on social media. She got tons of attention, and the news even wanted her to talk about how she recovered, but she hated all the attention. Jane felt useless, and she said sometimes she just wanted to die. Jane went home, and felt very awkward because she couldn’t do everything the same as everyone else. She was a very good drawer before the accident, and after the incident she started to draw with her left hand but showed no one. At the end of the book she looked at an old photo album with her arm, and she realized she wants to move forward and so she started a new album with just her one arm.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to girls mostly because it is about a teenage girl and her friends. I also recommend this book to girls because I don’t think the guys will be interested in it. I would recommend this book to ages 12 and up because I don’t think any younger age will understand it.
Characterization:
In this book, Jane changes a ton as a character physically and mentally. She has two arms at the beginning of the book, but in the end of the book she only has one because it got bitten off by a shark. Mentally in the book she becomes very sad because she feels useless with only one arm. At the end of the book though she becomes very confident in herself.
I loved this book because it was very inspiring. I thought it was cool that this girl, who got her arm bit off my a shark, readjusted to live life living without an arm. The author did a very good job explaining everything in detail, and I never wanted to put the book down. I would definitely read this book again sometime.
Plot:
This book is about a girl who got her arm bit off by a shark on vacation. Her name is Jane. After being bit by a shark her right arm was amputated, and she was in a coma for 10 days. A person that saw this attack happen, videotaped it and posted it on social media. She got tons of attention, and the news even wanted her to talk about how she recovered, but she hated all the attention. Jane felt useless, and she said sometimes she just wanted to die. Jane went home, and felt very awkward because she couldn’t do everything the same as everyone else. She was a very good drawer before the accident, and after the incident she started to draw with her left hand but showed no one. At the end of the book she looked at an old photo album with her arm, and she realized she wants to move forward and so she started a new album with just her one arm.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to girls mostly because it is about a teenage girl and her friends. I also recommend this book to girls because I don’t think the guys will be interested in it. I would recommend this book to ages 12 and up because I don’t think any younger age will understand it.
Characterization:
In this book, Jane changes a ton as a character physically and mentally. She has two arms at the beginning of the book, but in the end of the book she only has one because it got bitten off by a shark. Mentally in the book she becomes very sad because she feels useless with only one arm. At the end of the book though she becomes very confident in herself.
October 19, 2015
Personal response- I really enjoyed this book and so I gave it a 5 out of 5. I can not wait to read the next part of the series. I really enjoyed reading about the struggles that she was facing at her age of time.
Plot- Fifteen year old Jane and her family was hoping to have a great day at the beach but as soon as fast that great day at the beach turned to a day that Jane and her family will never forget. As she finished tying up her pink bikini which Michael her brother would always say was so small she said I bet today is gonna be great. What she dont know was that she was in for her worst nightmare. As she went into the great blue water as she called it she was so excited and before she was even in the water for 20 minutes and not farther then 4 feet out she got her right arm bit by a shark. There was a whole bunch of witness as her parents frantic she was unconscious she was rushed to the nearest hospital as her family followed behind. She was put into a coma for 10 days and she was not able to have people visit her for another 20 days after she was out of the coma. When she was conscious she had over 300 envelopes of mail for her from people from other states. She came up to know that a video was put online of her accident which made her mad. As the days went on she was just wanting to go home but she could not for 22 more days. On june 13 she was given a prosthetic arm to help her but she was just focusing on her art and she has one 2 school competitions and with the next one coming up she wants to be able to do the competition. As the days go on her parents and grandparents, friends,and other family members come and visit her and they all say its okay shes sick of hearing that. After her grandma leaves she gets a phone call that she does not know she answers the phone slowly and she just goes off on the phone and then hangs up and her mother ask her whats that all about and she just starts bawling she was has been through so much and now good morning america wants to interview her on hre story from that day and of course she says no. But now her friends have been saying maybe she should do it she did gt over five hundred letters from other kids and families. So just two days after her high school year starts and everyone just stares and her she finally says she would do the interview and it make it really easy for her.Yea she still get symphony from kids and teachers but shes doing better. And she wants to try to get back into the water again. So towards the end of the book she does get back in but shes still terrified of the water but she goes on shore.
Recommendations - I would recommend this book to everyone above elementary level. I personal loved this book and I think a lot of other people will to. If you love to read about sharks or people that had a hard childhood and is very understanding this would be a book for you
Plot- Fifteen year old Jane and her family was hoping to have a great day at the beach but as soon as fast that great day at the beach turned to a day that Jane and her family will never forget. As she finished tying up her pink bikini which Michael her brother would always say was so small she said I bet today is gonna be great. What she dont know was that she was in for her worst nightmare. As she went into the great blue water as she called it she was so excited and before she was even in the water for 20 minutes and not farther then 4 feet out she got her right arm bit by a shark. There was a whole bunch of witness as her parents frantic she was unconscious she was rushed to the nearest hospital as her family followed behind. She was put into a coma for 10 days and she was not able to have people visit her for another 20 days after she was out of the coma. When she was conscious she had over 300 envelopes of mail for her from people from other states. She came up to know that a video was put online of her accident which made her mad. As the days went on she was just wanting to go home but she could not for 22 more days. On june 13 she was given a prosthetic arm to help her but she was just focusing on her art and she has one 2 school competitions and with the next one coming up she wants to be able to do the competition. As the days go on her parents and grandparents, friends,and other family members come and visit her and they all say its okay shes sick of hearing that. After her grandma leaves she gets a phone call that she does not know she answers the phone slowly and she just goes off on the phone and then hangs up and her mother ask her whats that all about and she just starts bawling she was has been through so much and now good morning america wants to interview her on hre story from that day and of course she says no. But now her friends have been saying maybe she should do it she did gt over five hundred letters from other kids and families. So just two days after her high school year starts and everyone just stares and her she finally says she would do the interview and it make it really easy for her.Yea she still get symphony from kids and teachers but shes doing better. And she wants to try to get back into the water again. So towards the end of the book she does get back in but shes still terrified of the water but she goes on shore.
Recommendations - I would recommend this book to everyone above elementary level. I personal loved this book and I think a lot of other people will to. If you love to read about sharks or people that had a hard childhood and is very understanding this would be a book for you
March 25, 2013
Christy Rosso
Genre: Novel in Verse
Bingham, K. (2007). Shark girl. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
Format: Print
Selection process: NoveList
http://web.ebscohost.com
Jane Arrowood, aged 15, is the victim of a shark attack in this novel in verse by Kelly Bingham set in California. Jane quickly becomes known as “Shark Girl” after she loses her arm to a shark while swimming at a local beach near her Santa Clarita home. Jane’s brother Michael saves her life, creating a tourniquet and carrying her to shore.
Bingham describes Jane’s slow recovery from the loss of her arm. She faces painful “phantom limb” syndrome and physical therapy, after she awakens from a coma. As a teen, Jane feels unacceptable physically. She receives letters from strangers, who write to tell her their experiences or to offer prayers and advice. Jane is repulsed by the letters. She begins talking with a counselor. Jane befriends Justin, a young boy who lost part of his leg in a car accident. Prior to leaving the hospital, Jane begins thinking about a career in the medical field.
Jane gradually adjusts to life at home. She acquires a prosthesis. Jane was a gifted, award-winning artist, and now has to find another way to draw. Bingham emphasizes the frustration and sense of helplessness that characterize Jane’s daily struggles with routine tasks. Attempting to take out trash results in failure, and laundry cannot be folded. Starting school in the fall is difficult, and Jane feels like an outsider, as she is the object of much speculation by other students. Bingham’s realistic verse describes Jane’s world, which is dark, humorous, or filled with poignant grace as the author depicts Jane’s restoration of her life.
Readers facing personal challenges will identify with Jane Arrowood’s struggles, and will be inspired by her courage.
Highly recommend.
Genre: Novel in Verse
Bingham, K. (2007). Shark girl. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
Format: Print
Selection process: NoveList
http://web.ebscohost.com
Jane Arrowood, aged 15, is the victim of a shark attack in this novel in verse by Kelly Bingham set in California. Jane quickly becomes known as “Shark Girl” after she loses her arm to a shark while swimming at a local beach near her Santa Clarita home. Jane’s brother Michael saves her life, creating a tourniquet and carrying her to shore.
Bingham describes Jane’s slow recovery from the loss of her arm. She faces painful “phantom limb” syndrome and physical therapy, after she awakens from a coma. As a teen, Jane feels unacceptable physically. She receives letters from strangers, who write to tell her their experiences or to offer prayers and advice. Jane is repulsed by the letters. She begins talking with a counselor. Jane befriends Justin, a young boy who lost part of his leg in a car accident. Prior to leaving the hospital, Jane begins thinking about a career in the medical field.
Jane gradually adjusts to life at home. She acquires a prosthesis. Jane was a gifted, award-winning artist, and now has to find another way to draw. Bingham emphasizes the frustration and sense of helplessness that characterize Jane’s daily struggles with routine tasks. Attempting to take out trash results in failure, and laundry cannot be folded. Starting school in the fall is difficult, and Jane feels like an outsider, as she is the object of much speculation by other students. Bingham’s realistic verse describes Jane’s world, which is dark, humorous, or filled with poignant grace as the author depicts Jane’s restoration of her life.
Readers facing personal challenges will identify with Jane Arrowood’s struggles, and will be inspired by her courage.
Highly recommend.
November 18, 2015
In "Shark Girl" by Kelly Bingham, Jane was self conscious at the beginning in the book. Before school started she didn't want to do anything fun with her friends, or just go outside. She tried to stay inside the house as long as she could hiding away from the world. Jane was afraid of being judged at what people would think of her. For example, in the text it says "Come with me to the grocery store," Mom says..."No,thanks."...The thought of stepping out there like this-"(95). This quote tells us that Jane doesn't know what people will think of her and does not want people to see her.
Toward the middle of the book, Jane starts to try and get used to being in public but is stilled scared. She begins to go to different places to get used to being around people but it doesn't go that well. In the text it says, "The guy...studies me like I'm an animal in the zoo. A woman..staring at me...I bump into a girl... She drops a bag of pretzels. When I try to help her she exclaims, "it's ok really!" I feel the tears welling up, and I smash them down. Two boys, passing, look, and look again"(114) This shows us how Jane is feeling when she is in public. From the quote, I don't think that Jane is ready to be in public yet. She has to be more comfortable in her own skin.
At the end of the book, Jane has gone back to school, and is satisfied with herself. She is finally comfortable in being herself. She isn't shy at school and is proud of who she is. Jane is now always reminding herself that things are going to be different because of only having one arm, but she is accepting it. Jane is talking to herself and says "But it could have been different-It is what it is. And yeah, it sucks. But listening to this...doesn't help. But-It doesn't help. I'm done." I love this quote because it shows that Jane has finally accepted who she is, and knows that she has to live with it.
Toward the middle of the book, Jane starts to try and get used to being in public but is stilled scared. She begins to go to different places to get used to being around people but it doesn't go that well. In the text it says, "The guy...studies me like I'm an animal in the zoo. A woman..staring at me...I bump into a girl... She drops a bag of pretzels. When I try to help her she exclaims, "it's ok really!" I feel the tears welling up, and I smash them down. Two boys, passing, look, and look again"(114) This shows us how Jane is feeling when she is in public. From the quote, I don't think that Jane is ready to be in public yet. She has to be more comfortable in her own skin.
At the end of the book, Jane has gone back to school, and is satisfied with herself. She is finally comfortable in being herself. She isn't shy at school and is proud of who she is. Jane is now always reminding herself that things are going to be different because of only having one arm, but she is accepting it. Jane is talking to herself and says "But it could have been different-It is what it is. And yeah, it sucks. But listening to this...doesn't help. But-It doesn't help. I'm done." I love this quote because it shows that Jane has finally accepted who she is, and knows that she has to live with it.
July 4, 2009
Jane (15) is an artist, but she loses her arm when she is attacked by a shark while swimming. Her brother rescues her, and she falls into a coma. After she wakes up, she finds that her arm has been amputated above the elbow. It takes her weeks to heal after the operation, and the ordeal changes her forever. She can’t stop thinking about the man who stood on the beach recording the whole incident with his video camera as it happened – that he watched, that he did nothing to help her, that he later released the footage to the news and online. She can’t stop thinking about what a bad person she is – to be so angry, to not want to be the spokesperson for People Who Have Survived Terrible Things And Gone On To Inpsire Others. She can’t tell anyone that she’s practicing her art with her left hand – that it’s terrible, that she’s not sure if she’ll ever be able to do what she loves most again.
It took me awhile to really get into this novel, partly because of the format – it’s mostly in verse (with some additional content – letters, etc.). Novels written in verse strike me as somewhat pretentious and irritating and trendy – not everyone uses it well. Kelly Bingham, however, does a great job with Jane in Shark Girl. Jane deals with her experience and her feelings in a really honest way. The verse format works really well for expressing her thoughts, which are raw, immediate, short, to the point. She isn’t perfect, she isn’t intentionally inspiring. But she’s strong, tentatively hopeful, furious, determined, gentle, and so many other things. I really like Jane. She’s figuring out a new way to be herself after this life-threatening, life-changing experience.
It took me awhile to really get into this novel, partly because of the format – it’s mostly in verse (with some additional content – letters, etc.). Novels written in verse strike me as somewhat pretentious and irritating and trendy – not everyone uses it well. Kelly Bingham, however, does a great job with Jane in Shark Girl. Jane deals with her experience and her feelings in a really honest way. The verse format works really well for expressing her thoughts, which are raw, immediate, short, to the point. She isn’t perfect, she isn’t intentionally inspiring. But she’s strong, tentatively hopeful, furious, determined, gentle, and so many other things. I really like Jane. She’s figuring out a new way to be herself after this life-threatening, life-changing experience.
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