HEY! Did you know that sharks never sleep? I know… weird eh? But seriously, sharks need to keep moving in order to breathe. This is one of many fascinating facts about sharks that you will learn in Sharks Never Sleep. You will also learn about real life shark attacks, how people are trying to protect both sharks and people and the varied opinions about sharks that abound.
From the Cover
A Gripping Investigation into our complex relationship of fear and fascination with sharks. In an attempt combat fear with facts, author Brendon McAloon, takes us on a journey around the world in search of true stories of extraordinary first-hand encounters with these oceanic predators. Travel from Australia to the United States, South Africa and beyond. Meet with scientists, conservationists, shark-attack survivors, shark lovers and shark haters. Meet fear with fascination.
What You Get:
Four parts make up the contents of this tome.
Part one focuses on shark attacks. Fear rides these pages.
Part two presents us with not only the shark haters, but those who love sharks as well. I was delighted to see the Shark Lady profiled.
Part three profiles encounters that people had with shark. This section also contains photos pertaining to details given in this book.
Part four helps us to further understand there are no easy answers. How does one protect a fierce predator, and yet defend those who use the waters those predators live in? No easy answers. Culling, Shark Nets, Hunting bans, Beach closures, and Monitoring sharks. More research is needed to determine what will work best.
My Thoughts
Mr. McAloon presents us with many cases of shark attacks, show-casing well the need to more study into the whys of increased shark attacks. He helps us to understand why there is such a divide between protecting these apex predators and simply culling them.
He shows well why the divide exists… if only because there is no simple answer to “the shark problem” at waterfronts throughout the world. Human activity doesn’t help either.
Do I recommend it?
This book would be a great addition to a study on sharks. Helping the student see in stark detail why this is such a divisive topic. It’s not what I call an easy read. It’s not fun to read about men who hunt sharks with delight, nor to read about sharks that kill. Is it necessary? Yes, because that is how we broaden our understanding of the issues surrounding sharks and shark attacks.
Sharks Never Sleep: first-hand encounters with killers of the sea
Brendan McAloon
Hardie Grant Books
240 pages, middle school, trade paperback
Sharks, Ecology, Marine Life, Animals, biology
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.
We learned a lot about sharks a few years ago when my middle son went through a few weeks where he was just obsessed with them and literally checked every single (12!) book about them out of our local library. This sounds like a neat resource.
Sharks are fascinating creatures. I could identify with both sides of the discussion. I’ve read a few really good shark books.
We are doing Apologia’s Swimming Creatures this year, and this book would be a great supplement to the shark module.
Thank you for linking up at Drop Everything and Read at Tales of a Pee Dee Mama.
Another interesting non-fiction read that gives new ideas and perspective to the conversation. Sharks are not something we have gone through interest with but I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up there at some point with my youngest.
Sharks are rather fascinating, Some of the issues presented I hadn’t though of before so it was eye-opening.