The Shark Caller Zillah Bethell Bookwagon
The Shark Caller extract (C) Bookwagon

The Shark Caller

£7.99

Despite her waspapi’s urgings, Blue Wing is reluctant to meet Maple. She has arrived at the village with her father to explore the coral reefs. Yet Blue Wing resents the fact they are staying in her former home. Furthermore, she sees Maple as an outsider in white T-shirt and shorts and twinkling charm bracelet. Yet, each it seems each girl is overwhelmed with grief and unresolved questions.

While Blue Wing aims to be The Shark Caller, like Sirengen, her waspapi, Maple longs to reconnect with her late mother. It means that she seeks out the village ‘witch doctor’ and thereafter spies upon her father. Meanwhile, Blue Wing’s ambitions are beyond those of Sirengen’s calling, for she longs to take revenge upon the ‘damaged’ shark Xok. She holds this creature responsible for the loss of her parents.

What might the girls learn from each other and thereafter the village elders and their Papua New Guinean surroundings? The sounds and rhythms are as old as taim itself. They hold healing and answers within their history and stirrings.

Zillah Bethell reconnects with her childhood home in this lyrical story of a loss and connection, within a unique and fascinating culture. Bookwagon loves this wonderful story. We recommend The Shark Caller to confident, devoted middle grade readers.

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Description

The Shark Caller

Zillah Bethell

(Usborne)

Blue Wing has lived with The Shark Caller, Siringen, since her parents’ death. She joins his journeys to the bay aboard the outrigger, hearing his chants and rattles shake beneath the water, luring the sharks toward him. Yet Siringen, her waspapi, forbids Blue Wing from taking up the mantle of shark calling because of her burning need to take vengeance on the great, damaged shark, Xok, that took her parents.
However taim is changing in the village and the Bigman wants to attract the tourist dollars. It means he welcomes Maple, and her father Mr Hamelin, who seek to explore the coral reefs. Yet there is something more to them each, just as Blue Wing has unresolved issues that burn within her. Is it possible that Chimera, in her cave, can offer answers, or might there be something below the ocean waiting for their call.
The Shark Caller reminds me of The Life Gives You Mangoes. It throbs with the warmth of Papua New Guinean waves, belief and culture. Furthermore, the longings and sadnesses of Blue Wing and the Hamelins are as deep as the oceans through which Xok travels. I read this book in one go. It is unique, lyrical and moving. Bookwagon recommends The Shark Caller to devoted middle grade readers.

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