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Mary Underwater: A Novel Hardcover – April 7, 2020

by Shannon Doleski (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 60 ratings
Teachers' pick
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Inspired by Joan of Arc, a girl builds and pilots a submarine to prove just what girls can do in Mary Underwater, a masterful middle-grade debut from Shannon Doleski.

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.

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.

“This is perfect for readers not quite ready for Laurie Halse Anderson and anyone who needs a reminder that there’s always hope.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (Starred Review)
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  1. Reading age
    10 - 14 years
  2. Print length
    240 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    5 - 9
  5. Dimensions
    5.95 x 1.05 x 8.95 inches
  6. Publisher
    Harry N. Abrams
  7. Publication date
    April 7, 2020
  8. ISBN-10
    1419740806
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1419740800
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

**STARRED REVIEW**
"This is perfect for readers not quite ready for Laurie Halse Anderson and anyone who needs a reminder that there’s always hope."―Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Doleski’s debut features a protagonist who morphs from reticence to courage to overcome adversity as she learns the importance of both self-reliance and accepting support from friends. . . offers a realistic, engaging portrayal of adolescents dealing with parental violence." ―Booklist

"A ruggedly heartwarming tale of resilience and romance."―Kirkus Reviews

"A heartwarming story about submarines, first love, and asking for help when you need it the most. Readers will be rooting for Mary as they learn about submersible science and Joan of Arc." ―School Library Connection

About the Author

Shannon Doleski was born and raised in Cazenovia, New York. After graduating from Niagara University with an English education degree, Doleski was an English teacher and swim coach in New York and Maryland. She lives with her husband, three children, and beagle wherever the Air Force sends them (currently West Texas). Mary Underwater is her debut novel.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harry N. Abrams (April 7, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1419740806
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1419740800
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 10 - 14 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 5 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.95 x 1.05 x 8.95 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 60 ratings

About the author

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Shannon Doleski

Shannon Doleski

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Shannon Doleski was born and raised in Cazenovia, New York. After graduating from Niagara University with a degree in English Education, Shannon was a high school and middle school teacher and swim coach in New York and Maryland. She lives in West Texas with her three children, a speckle-eared beagle, and an ornery dachshund.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
60 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the story touching, funny, endearing, and emotional. They describe the book as powerful and a powerful debut. Readers praise the writing style as beautiful, sparse, and gorgeously poetic. They say the book tackles a difficult subject with grace, sensitivity, and hope.

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Heartwarming storyBook ageWriting style
7 customers mention "Heartwarming story"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the story touching, funny, and endearing. They say it's inspiring and powerful. Readers also mention the ending is triumphant and satisfying.

"...This story is touching, funny, endearing, emotional, and filled with hope. I literally laughed and cried and held my breath while reading it...." Read more

"...The ending was triumphant and satisfying. Highly recommended." Read more

"...It is a heartbreaking, inspiring story about a courageous young woman on a journey to self-discovery. Highly recommend!" Read more

"This is such a beautiful book about the courage and empowerment of a young girl in a bad situation...." Read more

3 customers mention "Book age"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book inspiring and powerful. They say it's a powerful debut.

"A powerful debut..." Read more

"Inspiring and powerful novel for young (and old) readers!..." Read more

"Great book for tweens/ teens..." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing style"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style beautiful, sparse, and gorgeous. They say the book tackles a difficult subject with grace, sensitivity, and hope.

"...But MARY UNDERWATER pulled me in immediately. It's sparse but gorgeously poetic prose, its prickly but lovable heroine, and its wonderful cast of..." Read more

"I adored this story! A beautifully written upper middle grade/young adult novel that doesn’t skirt around the tough topics, but has the reader..." Read more

"This beautiful book tackles a difficult subject with grace, sensitivity, and hope. Mary is a fantastic main character you cannot help but route for...." Read more

This debut sparkles like a lake on a sunny day!
5 out of 5 stars
This debut sparkles like a lake on a sunny day!
This book sucked me in like an undertow.Not only is MARY UNDERWATER a riptide fast read, but it accomplishes so much in so few pages. The author's ability to blend sensitive subjects - abuse, religion, difficult family relationships, and disappointment in authority figures, to name a few - in an engaging story about friendships, first crushes, and submarines is amazing.This debut sparkles like a lake on a sunny day!
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Top reviews from the United States

McNally16
5.0 out of 5 stars Could NOT Put It Down!
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2020
Verified Purchase
I'm not exactly the target audience - I bought the book to preview it before recommending it to the local library my SIL works at, since they are always looking for good MG stories. I opened my Kindle over coffee one morning and did not leave the table until two hours later when I finished the book. This story is touching, funny, endearing, emotional, and filled with hope. I literally laughed and cried and held my breath while reading it. Mary is a feisty teen dealing with an abusive parent at home (abuse scenes are off-page) and she just wants to escape her life. After completing a smaller version for a school science project, she decides to build a real submarine and use it to cross the Chesapeake and get away from her small fishing town where everyone knows what's going on and she's embarrassed to be "that kid". But as she begins her project, she discovers she has friends, both teen and adult, who are truly there for her. Mary herself is smart, resourceful and determined -- a great read for those looking for MGs with strong girl characters (and science!). There is also a sweet romance arc with all the adorable awkwardness of first love. This book is a winner!
3 people found this helpful
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C. L.
5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful debut
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2021
Verified Purchase
I've been intrigued about this book ever since I first heard it summarized, but I wasn't sure what to expect when I finally picked it up—especially because the pandemic has made it really difficult for me to focus on and fully enjoy books. But MARY UNDERWATER pulled me in immediately. It's sparse but gorgeously poetic prose, its prickly but lovable heroine, and its wonderful cast of supporting characters quickly won my heart. This book sits so perfectly in the upper middle grade space, touching on difficult issues that are a reality in so many kids' lives, as well as first crushes and first kisses and other adolescent rites of passage. The ending was triumphant and satisfying. Highly recommended.
3 people found this helpful
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elib
5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet story, but difficult topic.
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2023
Verified Purchase
Mary’s story isn’t an easy one to read as she is abused and neglected and fights slowly to rectify her situation.
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Jessica
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and powerful novel for young (and old) readers!
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2020
Verified Purchase
I adored this story! A beautifully written upper middle grade/young adult novel that doesn’t skirt around the tough topics, but has the reader cheering for Mary Murphy every step of the way. A champion story for young women in science! I couldn’t put it down.
One person found this helpful
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Courtney S
5.0 out of 5 stars What An Amazing Story!
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2020
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I couldn’t put this book down! I read the whole thing in one day and was crying by the end. I’m from Southern Maryland and the places and facts about the area were such a great touch! It is a heartbreaking, inspiring story about a courageous young woman on a journey to self-discovery. Highly recommend!
3 people found this helpful
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Kenneth A. Haile III
5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone should read this book!
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2020
Verified Purchase
My daughter absolutely loved this book! She read it in just two days. She was proud of the main character and inspired to work on her own submarine. Now that she’s finished the book, I look forward to reading it for myself. We can’t wait for more books from Shannon!!
2 people found this helpful
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Stacy
5.0 out of 5 stars Hopeful and sensitive!
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2020
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This beautiful book tackles a difficult subject with grace, sensitivity, and hope. Mary is a fantastic main character you cannot help but route for. Highly recommend for older middle grade readers!
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Amie
5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous debut
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is such a beautiful book about the courage and empowerment of a young girl in a bad situation. I loved the Joan of Arc connections, the sweet middle grade romance, the submarine adventures. Such a gorgeous debut.
One person found this helpful
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