School Library Journal Review

Gr 3-7-An absorbing story based on the shark attacks in New Jersey in 1916. Chet Roscoe, 10, moves in with his uncle while his father looks for work in California. He works in his uncle's diner and meets some local boys with whom he becomes friends. A story hits the papers about a shark attack about 10 miles away and their little town dismisses it as a fake, but a local fisherman begs to differ. The boys play a series of pranks on one another, but when Chet comes face to face with the shark in the river, the friends refuse to believe him, until they see it themselves. Black-and-white illustrations that resemble old photographs enhance the events of the story. Tarshis incorporates information about the real attacks and fictionalizes it, then follows the story with facts about the attacks and sharks. This is a gripping story that will hold the interest of reluctant readers.-Delia Carruthers, Roxbury Public Library, Succasunna, NJ (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.