The Line Tender

Description: Wherever the sharks led, Lucy Everhart's marine-biologist mother was sure to follow. In fact, she was on a boat far off the coast of Massachusetts, collecting shark data when she died suddenly. Lucy was seven. Since then Lucy and her father have kept their heads above water-thanks in large part to a few close friends and neighbors. But June of her twelfth summer brings more than the end of school and a heat wave to sleepy Rockport. On one steamy day, the tide brings a great white-and then another tragedy, cutting short a friendship everyone insists was 'meaningful' but no one can tell Lucy what it all meant. To survive the fresh wave of grief, Lucy must grab the line that connects her depressed father, a stubborn fisherman, and a curious old widower to her mother's unfinished research on the Great White's return to Cape Cod. If Lucy can find a way to help this unlikely quartet follow the sharks her mother loved, she'll finally be able to look beyond what she's lost and toward what's left to be discovered.

Review: In Rockport, Massachusetts, budding artist and narrator Lucy does everything with her best friend Fred, a keen scientist, including collaborating and creating a field guide to local wildlife. When family friend and fisherman Sookie accidentally catches a great white shark, TV stations broadcast old footage of Lucy's marine biologist mother, a shark expert who died suddenly when Lucy was seven, dredging up old feelings for Lucy. Unlike everyone else who knew Lucy's mother, Lucy has no recollection of her and has not been able to properly mourn her death. Lucy and Fred's relationship is beginning to move beyond friendship, but this is unfortunately short lived as a tragic swimming accident at the local quarry plunges the entire town into grief, and Lucy and her depressed detective father must recover and grieve once again.  
  The Tender Line is a somber read as their there is no escape from grief and death yet is still buoys into light with some humor and the power of memory. Lucy learns the various stages of grief and realizes that grieving looks different for everyone. The author has created a colorful multi-generational cast of characters who serve as Lucy's emotional support network and helps her learn more about her mother's work and begin to heal her own heart. While reading this book I also learned a lot of details about sharks. The Line Tender is a quiet yet powerful story of love, grief, and science. I would not be surprised to see this on the potential candidates for the Newbery Award this year.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some minor language and scenes of underage drinking. Recommended for Grades 5 and up.

If you like this book try: The Bridge of Terebithia by Katherine Patterson, The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin