Mary Underwater by Shannon Doleski

Abstract

Reviewed by: Mary Underwater by Shannon Doleski Kiri Palm Doleski, Shannon Mary Underwater. Amulet/Abrams, 2020 [240p] Trade ed. ISBN 978-1-4197-4080-0 $16.99 E-book ed. ISBN 978-1-68335-814-5 $15.29 Reviewed from galleys R* Gr. 5-8 Thirteen-year-old Mary Murphy needs an escape. Her abusive father has returned home from his most recent stint in prison, she’s afraid to confide in her best friend, Lydia, and the nuns at school are threatening to call home if her poor grades don’t improve. Excelling at the end-of-year science project is the only way she can bring up her grades and escape her father’s wrath, so she’s frustrated to discover she’s been paired with class clown Kip Dwyer for the project. Kip proves a better partner than she thought, though, encouraging Mary to build a real-life submarine of her own—can other things in Mary’s life also shift for the better? Mary’s father is a violent, overwhelming presence throughout the book, and Doleski wisely keeps him silent and mostly offscreen until Mary’s triumphant final confrontation. The nuances of an abusive household are beautifully accurate, with Mary terrified to reveal what’s happening to friends, teachers, and social workers alike and Mary’s mother heartbreakingly unable to leave the toxic marriage and find safety for her and her daughter. Lydia adds plenty of eighth-grade girl-talk and fewer heavy concerns, particularly pertaining to Mary’s budding romance with surprisingly charming Kip; Mary finds solace in her work with Aunt Betty at the nearby library and the colorful scientists she convinces to help her with her submersible. This is perfect for readers not quite ready for Laurie Halse Anderson and anyone who needs a reminder that there’s always hope. Back matter includes resources on domestic violence and building your own submersible. Copyright © 2020 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois