Neighborhood Sharks: Hunting with the Great Whites of California's Farallon Islands

Gr 2-4--In preparation for this well-researched book on great white sharks, Roy joined scientists in the Farallon Islands to study the animals near San Francisco. Though shark lovers of all ages will enjoy poring over the intense, vivid images, there's a lot of information that older students will particularly appreciate. Readers will learn about many aspects of great whites--their anatomy, how they hunt, and their place in the ecosystem, as well as how scientists study them. The action-packed illustrations, rendered in watercolor and pencil with some digital work, are both accurate and captivating. Pair this one with Gail Gibbons's Sharks (Holiday House, 1992) or Seymour Simon's Incredible Sharks (Chronicle, 2003). Additional information in the form of films, books, and online resources are appended, including a link to a live webcam of the Farallon Islands. An excellent introduction.--Martha Rico, El Paso ISD, TX

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Drama and intrigue infuse Roy's study of migrating great white sharks. Each year, the sharks return to San Francisco: "While their 800,000 human neighbors dine on steak, salad, and sandwiches, the white sharks hunt for their favorite meal." With violence and wild beauty, one of Roy's sharks attacks a local elephant seal, sending forth a bubbling gush of blood. Elsewhere, Roy playfully compares the characteristics of a shark's body to those of a jet plane, and cutaway images display a shark's internal anatomy. Roy's reverence for her subject is evident in her majestic underwater scenes, while light humor and rich content round out a standout resource for shark enthusiasts. Ages 7-11. Agent: Stephen Barr, Writers House. (Sept.)

Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

"Roy explores how this region become a popular dining venue for sharks." - "BCCB"