Make a Little Wave

Gr 6 Up–Twists, turns, and angst characterize Cerra’s latest work. Readers follow eighth grader Savannah as she finds her place, makes friends, and answers the activist call after her family moves to Sandy Dune, FL. She is introduced to shark fin soup with stomach-emptying results. Thus, Sav’s passion to save sharks from the fatal horrors of finning is born. Trespassing, unintentional libel, and vandalism are Sav’s opening acts to stop the restaurant from serving shark fins. Unsurprisingly, her efforts are not received well; the police are called twice, and she experiences consequences at home and school. In some respects, this novel reads like a cautionary tale about social media and shows the consequences of anger and immature decisions, while still encouraging kids to become activists. Sav recognizes that her passion for saving sharks has changed her to a “new me” with the urge to cry out over the world’s oxygen supply. Of concern is that Sav encounters red flags of abuse in a friend’s life but doesn’t go to her parents. In the end, Sav makes an impact and raises awareness.