MARY UNDERWATER by Shannon Doleski

 

I love running across a new book that hasn't been on my radar. I found MARY UNDERWATER while attending the 1st Annual Northwest Ohio Teen Book Festival last weekend. Author Shannon Doleski was one of the guest speakers. She is a debut author currently living in Texas and her fresh voice is one I truly enjoyed.

Mary is a quiet girl who keeps to herself to avoid questions. Living on an island in the Chesapeake Bay means everyone knows everyone and everyone's business as well. Since Mary's father has just come home from prison, she isn't exactly eager to attract everyone's attention.

Having her father home means the possibility of physical abuse is a constant threat. Mary spends as much time as possible at school, at the library, or at her friend Lydia's house. She isn't sure if her mother even knows where she is most of the time but being anywhere that isn't home is best in Mary's opinion.

A surprise pairing with Kip Dwyer for a science project opens Mary's world to the idea that not everyone has negative opinions about her. In fact, Mary is attracted to Kip. He is funny and kind and loves the idea of creating a model submarine for their project. The model is so successful that Mary is determined to make a real submersible so she can escape the island.

Letting people into her world is not easy for Mary, but she recognizes that some people do want to help. There's Kip, her aunt Betty, a social worker, best friend Lydia, and a resident scientist on the island all play roles in getting Mary to open up and admit the dangers in her life.

MARY UNDERWATER combines emotion, family struggles, Saint Joan of Arc, and STEM into a magical story readers won't want to miss.