Shark Attack by Tom Jackson

Reviewed by Lori

Shark Attack - HC
Title: Shark Attack

 Author: Tom Jackson

Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 26732

Description: Although they occur rarely, shark attacks on humans always grab headlines around the world.  This fascinating book explores just what makes some kinds of sharks attack and the kind of damage powerful jaws and hundreds of teeth can do.

Rubric Rating: Level 3: Laud It.



Why I Read It: My son is a shark lover and this book was immediately added to our Shark Reference Collection.

Lori's Notes: A high interest/low vocab book about shark attacks.  This book is an extremely appealing book for boys (particularly those who may be struggling readers) and anyone who likes information about Sharks.  The information is very easily grouped, with lots of white space on the page and a larger font size.  It makes a great book for an older student who is a struggling reader, as neither the subject matter nor cover make the book look too primary/junior.  Most images are actual photographs making the book even more engaging.

Recommended Readers: Grade 3 and up.  This book could easily be placed in an elementary or secondary library as the subject matter would garner much attention and it's readability for struggling or ESL students makes it appropriate for older students.

Themes: Non-Fiction, Sharks, Attacks, Survival, Animal Characteristics and Traits, Behaviour.

Cross-Genre Links: 
Movie: Jaws (1975)
Movie: Sharkwater (2006)
TV: Shark Week
Music: Main Title and First Victim Theme from Jaws Movie by John Williams
Web Search: Shark Attacks
Image Search: Sharks

Post-Reading Inquiries and Activities: 

  • Where are you most likely to be attacked by a shark?  (In the Water! Ha Ha!)
  • Create a your own shark joke.
  • What is the most likely cause for a shark attacking a human?
  • How can you avoid being attacked by a shark?
  • Create a safety sign to post on a beach to warn about sharks.
  • Which shark is the most dangerous and why?  Support your answer.  Debate your reasoning with someone else in the class.
  • Who is more dangerous?  Sharks or Humans?  How have humans hunting sharks been detrimental to the shark population?  
  • Why do we need sharks?
  • Have your class do a research project about sharks.  Assign each student a different shark and have them research: characteristics (what do they look like), behaviour (how do they act), habitat, food, and any fascinating facts.  Have each student rate their shark on a danger scale of 1-10.  Create a classroom shark book with each of the students "shark fact page".

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