Advent Calendar Day 3

 

Door three, whatever could it be?!

This book is The Shark Caller by Zillah Bethell. About a young girl, Blue Wing, dealing with the grief of losing her parents and the friendship she forges with a new girl on her island, Maple, who is experiencing the same trauma. Set on Fiji, there is an interesting mix of old and new as her village tries to stay rooted in tradition whilst keeping up with the 21^st Century. We see the world through Blue Wing’s eyes, learning her pigeon English, and the guilt in her heart.

As her friendship with Maple grows, so too does a mystery about just what Maple’s father is looking for on the island. Can the girls learn to accept their profound losses? Or will Blue Wing’s desire for revenge on the shark who killed her parents win out?

This book may be aimed at children, but it is sophisticated and a wonderful insight to the grieving mind. We see Blue Wing, Maple, and her father all experience loss differently - how it makes them act out of turn, how it makes them hold onto bad feelings, and how it affects their judgement. On its surface, this is a story about continuing a culture but at its heart it is about the relationships we forge with people.

Yes, it broke me. I finished this in a public space and that is the only thing that stopped me from sobbing. Carole currently has my copy, but if anyone wants to borrow I will gladly share this heart ache. Absolutely beautiful book.