The Shark King
Toon Books Level 3
Checking Availibility...Description
Winner of the Asian Pacific ALA's Literature Award.
From Hawaii comes the electrifying tale of Nanaue, who has to balance his yearning for Dad's guidance with his desire for Mom's nurturing. The New York Times declares this book "especially appealing to boys who long to be just like Dad."
About this Author
Kikuo spent his childhood exploring the rocky shore in front of his grandmother's house at low tide and diving with his older brother. Since moving to the mainland, Kikuo has discovered the joys of swimming in fresh water and currently lives in Brooklyn, New York, where he enjoys cooking, playing his ukulele, and riding his bike all over the city.
Reviews
Johnson's beautiful, graphic style recalls, of all things, Gilbert Hernandez' early Palomar comics, with zippy figures set against equatorial backgrounds distinguished by a few key features--a waterfall and fruit tree here, a tidal pool and coral reef there. The crafty panel layouts plunge into a couple of full-bleed splash pages with all the exhilaration of a high dive. While simple enough to keep brand-new and below-level readers in tow--and strengthen their vocabulary with contextual clues--this charming, high-energy Hawaiian fable will reveal deeper layers to more intuitive readers.
--Booklist (starred review)
Sharks, superpowers, and the comic-panel format will initially lure in readers, but the subtext of bullying, parental separation, and self-discovery will stay with them long afterward. The characters' rounded black outlines convey strong energy and emotion, while the panels and spreads feature a lush, colorful Hawaiian setting.
--The Horn Book (starred review)
This graphic novel, which works either as a read-aloud or as a step toward chapter books for young readers, offers a story especially appealing to boys who long to be just like Dad.
--The New York Times
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