The Line Tender

Lucy Everhart lives in a coastal Massachusetts town where her late mother once studied great white sharks as a marine biologist. Now 12 years old, Lucy spends her summer working on an art project with her best friend Fred, creating detailed illustrations of local fish species. When a shark-related incident occurs in their community, Lucy becomes driven to learn more about her mother's unfinished research. She dives into her mother's old notebooks and field notes while connecting with local fishermen and marine scientists who knew her mother. Lucy's journey leads her to explore both the mysteries of sharks and the complexities of loss and grief. Her scientific curiosity intertwines with her personal quest to understand her family's past. The Line Tender combines marine biology with a story of family bonds and healing, showing how knowledge and connection can help navigate life's deepest waters.

Readers describe The Line Tender as a moving story about grief, family, and marine biology. Many young readers connect with Lucy's journey through loss and her interest in sharks. Readers appreciated: - The authentic portrayal of a 12-year-old protagonist - Marine biology and shark facts woven into the narrative - The Massachusetts coastal town setting - How grief is handled with sensitivity - The illustrations throughout the book Common criticisms: - Pacing feels slow in the middle sections - Some found it too sad for middle-grade readers - Scientific details occasionally interrupt story flow Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (180+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 Reader comments: "The shark research added depth to what could have been just another grief story" - Goodreads reviewer "My 11-year-old put it down halfway through - too heavy" - Amazon parent review "Perfect blend of science and emotion" - School Library Journal reader review

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🦈 Like Lucy's mother in the book, author Kate Allen grew up in Rockport, Massachusetts, and was fascinated by the local great white shark sightings. 📚 The Line Tender was Kate Allen's debut novel and received multiple prestigious nominations, including being a finalist for the 2019 New England Book Award. 🎨 The detailed shark drawings described in the book were inspired by real scientific illustrations from the 1800s, particularly those of naturalist Louis Agassiz. 🌊 The book's setting was influenced by the true story of a great white shark caught off the coast of Massachusetts in 1968, which helped scientists better understand shark anatomy. 🖋️ The author spent five years writing and revising The Line Tender, conducting extensive research about shark biology and field research techniques to ensure accuracy.