Books by Zillah Bethell
The Shark Caller
by Zillah Bethell
A wonderful story set in Papua New Guinea, peppered with Pidgin English (glossary included). Blue Wing is an orphan in the care of Siringen, an old shark caller. When an American researcher arrives in the village, Blue Wing is assigned to look after his twelve year old daughter and a deep friendship gradually develops. But The Shark Caller is more than a friendship story. It is a story of hunting for treasure. It is also a story of coping with loss, the attraction of revenge, and being aware that every moment is of value. With elders close to nature and a village head who has lost his head to jukeboxes and mobile phones, there is also the question of how communities balance tradition and development. As if that were not enough, just before the end there is a gigantic twist.
Ages 8-12
Interviews where books by Zillah Bethell were recommended
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1
The False Rose
Jakob Wegelius, translated by Peter Graves -
2
The Secret Detectives
by Ella Risbridger -
3
Above and Below: Sea and Shore
Harriet Evans & Hannah Bailey (illustrator) -
4
The Shark Caller
by Zillah Bethell -
5
A Wish in the Dark
by Christina Soontornvat -
6
Circus Maximus: Race to the Death
by Annelise Gray
Best Children’s Books of 2021
Best Children’s Books of 2021
A lot of excellent books for kids have come out in 2021. It’s turned out to be a very strong year for middle grade fiction (novels for children age 8-12), especially fiction in a historical setting. We made sure to include plenty of picture books and nonfiction as well.
