Book Cover
Justification
I choose Shark Lady as my informational book choice for this blog. This non-fiction picture book shares the story of Eugenie Clark and how she changed the scientific community’s perception of sharks. The book stood out to be because I had a childhood fear of sharks that has grown into respect and interest as an adult. Shark Lady received numerous accolades from reviewing publications such as Publishers Weekly, Booklist, School Library Journal, and Kirkus Reviews. It allows early readers to dive in to the life of a world-renowned scientist and the study of sharks.
Evaluation
The first thing to note about Shark Lady accuracy of the information that is presented. The book walks through the life and accomplishments of Eugenie Clark and her quest to learn and explore. Beginning with a childhood love of sharks and the sea, to the doubts that were raised in the academic and scientific communities about her pursuing a career in ichthyology. The book highlights important events in Eugenie’s life. The end of the book also includes a timeline of her life. While Shark Lady is a picture book biography intended for young readers, the information is scientifically correct. Names of the new species she discovered are expressed in both English and Latin. It is also presented in such a way that someone unfamiliar with sharks or marine biology could connect with the information. At the end of the book there is a spread of pages that highlights facts about sharks and how Eugenie contributed to the scientific community’s understanding of them.
The illustrations that accompany the text help young readers to better understand the story and engage with the text. The illustrations paint a colorful picture of Eugenie’s life. They especially showcase the ocean and show the abundance of life that can be found beneath the waves. The pictures also help convey Eugenie’s emotions throughout the book. They capture her joy and excitement in working with marine animals in childhood and as an adult. The illustrations also show her dedication and determination to succeed in her studies and in the face of adversity. The illustrations also allow us as readers to join Eugenie on some of her expeditions to study sharks. The vivid pictures engage us with the text in a meaningful and real way.
Finally, the theme of determination is showcased throughout Shark Lady. From the very first moment she saw sharks, Eugenie Clark was hooked. She had a strong sense of determination and drive to learn all she could about them and their habitat. Though the culture at the time portrayed sharks in a very negative light, Eugenie was determined to show the world that they were wrong about these amazing creatures. She worked hard to learn and graduate with top honors in spite of many critics who thought women could not reach such goals. “Forget those sharks. Be a secretary! Be a housewife! Eugenie wanted to study zoology, but some of her professors thought women weren’t smart enough to be scientists or brave enough to explore the oceans” (Keating, 2017, p. 12). Eugenie Clark only double her efforts and realized her dream of studying sharks and dispelling misconceptions about them. Her tenacity and determination are to be admired.
Response
(A) As a child I was terrified of sharks. Whenever I saw them in print or on television, I would be so fearful. To fight this feeling, I sought to learn everything I could about sharks. I watched shark week religiously, read books about sharks, and in time learned that they are not mindless hunters. They are very intelligent and are only trying to eat to survive. They are incredibly powerful animals and should be treated with care, but that should not mean their elimination or villainization. Eugenie Clark and her work in the field of ichthyology has helped to spread this message to the culture and the scientific community.
(D) Shark Lady highlights Eugenie Clark’s determination and strength of character. She had a passion and a goal and worked to realize it her whole life. While others were contradicting her desire to study and become a scientist, it only made her double her efforts. These characteristics should be admired. She worked hard and never allowed her critics to dissuade her. This message is important for everyone to hear. You can realize your dreams with hard work and determination.
(E) The text is well written and accurately represents historical events in Eugenie Clark’s life and contributions to the scientific community. Throughout the book, verbs are chosen that make us think of the ocean. Keating repeated uses the verb dove in her text. This conscious choice makes us connect with Eugenie’s passion for the ocean. Information is accurate, but accessible for younger readers.
Conclusion
Shark Lady is a rich portrayal of an incredible woman and scientist. The book shows the power of hard work and never giving up on your dreams. This book is a terrific encouragement for young girls who are interested in pursuing their dreams. It is also important for young readers to understand the obstacles that women once had to overcome to succeed. Shark Lady masterfully expresses historical and scientific facts in an approachable way for young readers.
APA Citation
Keating, J. & Miguéns, M. A. (2017). Shark lady: the true story of how Eugenie Clark became the ocean’s most fearless scientist. New York: Scholastic, Inc.
Comments