Sharks & Boys

Starred review from May 1, 2011

Thoughtless teen behavior leads four sets of twins on a deadly adventure in a horribly realistic but often very funny survival tale.

These eight teens have been part of a research study and know each other all too well. Enid, the only girl (she is a fraternal twin), is on a break from dating Wick, whose brother conspired to diss her in a zine co-authored by Burr and Skate, twins whose parents have just died in an accident. Narrator Enid isn't funny on purpose, but her angst and stalker behavior are hilarious, as she abandons her responsibilities and drives five hours to eavesdrop on the guys, who are partying. The boys head to the Gretchen, a boat owned by Burr and Skate, for a slightly tipsy outing on the high seas, and Enid follows, sure that Gretchen is female and possibly a stripper. She ends up hiding on board in the head. When the boat goes down and they are left with only a plastic raft, the reality turns increasingly deadly as the often-fortunate coincidences of survival tales don't help these kids out. As Enid names a few of the circling sharks, their increasingly dire situation reveals more about all eight twins, with twins Munny and Sov, who've seemed vulnerable, exhibiting unsuspected strength.

William Golding updated with humor.  (Adventure. 12-17)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

June 1, 2011

Gr 6-9-When Enid's boyfriend, Wick, decides to go to an out-of-town party against her wishes and declares that he wants "to take a break," jealousy overcomes her. The eavesdropping 15-year-old overhears the name "Gretchen" and ditches her mother during a catering job to tail her ex, his friends, and her own twin brother, Landon, over 500 miles from Vermont to an Annapolis marina. Enid discovers that the boys plan a nighttime cruise on the Gretchen, a boat owned by Skate and Burr's parents, who have recently died in an airplane explosion. While the boys continue drinking beer, Enid stows away and a storm sinks the boat, leaving eight teens clinging to a small life raft. Enid's dating insecurities, partly fostered by an absentee father, is just one contrivance that sets the stage for the survival tale. Despite the obvious dangers, including sharks, dehydration, and hypothermia, the plot revolves around the relationship among the four sets of twins. More is learned about the psychological testing that brought them together as friends, and some inborn weaknesses that ultimately lead to disaster. Enid and Landon come to terms with their own strained relationship and Enid struggles to trust Wick again. While it may be difficult for picayune readers to believe that they all had cut communication with friends and family, or that heavily traveled waters near Annapolis wouldn't have spotted the group for days, it will not detract from a tension-filled climax and satisfying ending.-Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2011
Grades 7-12 Enid is miserable. She and Wick have just decided to take a break. He is headed to Annapolis with the other boys in their Twin Study group for a weekend of guy fun that includes, Enid is certain, at least one girl, Simone. Determined to save Wick from himself and salvage their relationship, Enid follows the boys and sneaks onto a boat to spy on the party. After a dangerous storm leaves the boat swamped, Enid and the boys are thrown into the shark-infested ocean and begin an exhausting fight for their lives. As the sharks circle and the sun scalds, long-festering aggravations among the teens turn into deep wounds that threaten the trust they need to survive. A page-turning thriller that will please Gary Paulsen fans, this emotionally complex novel makes everyone's worst beach nightmare palpable and provides a fascinating character study that explores what happens when instincts are pitted against relationships.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)