When Eugenie Clark was little, the world told her two things: 1) girls shouldn’t study sharks, and 2) sharks were mindless, dangerous monsters. Eugenie grew up to be a shark expert and advocate, proving the world wrong on both counts.
Shark Lady
Discuss the Book
The Magic of Sharks
Pages 1–9
- Important Moment: Eugenie’s mother helps Eugenie explore her love of sharks by taking her to the aquarium and to the beach in Atlantic City.
- Ask and Share: How does Eugenie’s mother encourage Eugenie’s love of sharks? Who encourages you in your life? How do they do it?
Ignoring the Doubters
Pages 10–17
- Important Moment: Eugenie goes to school to study zoology. Some of her professors think women aren’t smart or brave enough to explore the oceans, but Eugenie becomes one of the smartest students in her field anyway.
- Ask and Share: What challenge does Eugenie face while studying zoology in school? What do you think helps her to overcome this challenge? How would you overcome a challenge like this?
Eugenie Becomes “Shark Lady”
Pages 18–23
- Important Moment: Eugenie finally dives into the ocean where she discovers new species of fish, sees her first shark in the wild, and disproves the myth that sharks have to keep moving to stay alive. People start to call her “Shark Lady.”
- Ask and Share: What happens when Eugenie finally dives into the ocean? What important discoveries does she make? What do people start to call her? What will your nickname be when you are pursuing your passion out in the world?
Sharks Deserve Protection
Pages 24–32
- Important Moment: Eugenie trains a shark the way people train dogs, proving that sharks are not mindless killers. She shows the world that sharks deserve attention and protection.
- Ask and Share: How does Eugenie prove that sharks are not mindless killers? What message does this send to the world? If you could send an important message to the world, what would it be, and why?