Written by Mary M Cerullo, Photographs by Jeffrey L Rotman
This book looks like a book about sharks, but it is actually about Jeff’s experiences with sharks near Cocos Island. If you read the title carefully it makes sense. But if you think it is going to be a reference book about sharks you’d be wrong. This is a travel/journal book that looks like a reference book. It has many interesting facts, lots of great pictures, and a story about Jeff and his diving partner Asher going diving near sharks.
This would be a great example of a book to share with students to discuss fact verses story, as the author mixes the two often. This would be a good story to read if the reader were interested in diving with sharks or learning what it is like to dive near Cocos Island. This is also a book trying to teach readers about the threats to sharks by humans. It has well-thought out reasons for wanting to protect sharks and discusses many of the threats. The pictures of a shark with a hook through its mouth, the one missing its fin, and the turtle and swordfish entangled are compelling.
It is an interesting book with very nice photos. Shark lovers will enjoy it.
Review by Cheryl Baker, Teacher, Mill Creek Elementary
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 3-6
Journey to Shark Island: A Shark Photographer’s Close Encounters
Written by Mary M Cerullo, Photographs by Jeffrey L Rotman
Compass Point Books
40 pages
Release Date: July 1, 2014
ISBN: 9780756548872 (hardcover)
Categories: Elementary – Nonfiction
Tags: Sharks, adventure travel,Cocos Island, scuba diving.
