Inspired by Joan of Arc, a girl builds and pilots a submarine to prove just what girls can do in this masterful middle-grade debut Mary Murphy feels like she’s drowning. Her violent father is home from prison, and the social worker is suspicious of her new bruises. An aunt she’s never met keeps calling. And if she can’t get a good grade on her science project, she’ll fail her favorite class. … favorite class.
But Mary doesn’t want to be a victim anymore. She has a plan: build a real submarine, like the model she’s been making with Kip Dwyer, the secretly sweet class clown. Gaining courage from her heroine, Joan of Arc, Mary vows to pilot a sub across the Chesapeake Bay, risking her life in a modern crusade to save herself.
Mary Underwater is an empowering tale of persistence, heroism, and hope from a luminous new voice in middle-grade fiction.
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There are so many things to love about this book. We follow Mary, the courageous main character, in her struggle to find her voice and break free of what is holding her back. She is an appealing character and her friend, Kip, is a fun contrast to her. The heart of the book is the unique and challenging adventure Mary pursues and how it transforms her to find the courage she’s always sought. This is a heartfelt story with light moments but also dark undertones.
Book Review: Mary Underwater by Shannon Doleski (2020) (Middle Grade) (Teen) 4 Stars ****
Thirteen-year-old eighth grader Mary Murphy has a problem. Her father leaves her scarred and black-and-blue whenever he decides he doesn’t like what she’s doing. Her mother doesn’t stand up to him to protect her daughter or herself. Although he’s often imprisoned for his abusive behavior, whenever he returns, Mary lives in fear for her well-being and most often sleeps at a neighbor’s house. She doesn’t want to admit to her friends, teachers or social worker what’s going on at home. She fears they will perceive her as a loser—that somehow, it’s her fault that her father physically abuses her. To find strength to get through the hard times, Mary carries a photo of Joan of Arc, the young girl who led the French army in a victory against the British, as inspiration. She looks to Joan and repeats her affirmation, “I am not afraid. I am not afraid. I am not afraid.”
With help and encouragement from her Aunt Betty, love interest Kip, and best friend Lydia, Mary is determined to build a submersible craft to journey the seven miles across Chesapeake Bay. A submarine scientist agrees to guide her, hands her the book he’s written on the subject, and tells her to get to it. With the money Mary makes at her summer job at the public library, she’s able to purchase the parts and material necessary to complete her project.
With her new found success, Mary feels her inner strength and remembering Joan of Arc, stands up to her father, leaves home with her mother’s blessing to live with her loving Aunt Betty and her wife, and reports the abuse to the social worker and the authorities.
Mary is bolstered by the love and support of those around her. Instead of contempt, they feel admiration for Mary’s desire to change her abusive situation and do everything they can to help her experience loving surroundings.
This book makes the point without being preachy or melodramatic. The author encourages Mary and other abused children to find an adult they can trust, and allow them to help improve the situation or, if need be, remove them from the destructive home environment.
Need help? Call Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child)
Interested in building an immersible craft? Remember, lack of oxygen has serious consequences. Don’t go it alone. Be safe with help from professional organizations: Seaperch.org, Psubs.org, facebook.com/piscessub. Play video games Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero. Read Manned Submersibles by R. Frank Busby.