Fall 2024

Make a Little Wave

  • Interest Level: Grade 6 - Grade 8
  • Reading Level: Grade 6

Swim with the current, or go against the flow?

Savannah has been feeling out of place ever since her family moved to Sandy Dune, Florida. She finds it easier to make friends with animals than people. Plus, everyone in Sandy Dune seems to love spending time in the ocean, and Sav never feels comfortable leaving the shore.

When her classmate Tanner invites her to the opening of his family’s restaurant, Sav’s excited—until she’s served a bowl of shark fin soup. Sav has always been scared of sharks, but she’s horrified that they’re inhumanely killed for this expensive delicacy. Especially as she learns more about these surprisingly gentle creatures and discovers that some shark species are being hunted to the point of endangerment. Tanner’s family brushes off her concerns, but Sav resolves to stop them from serving the soup.

To do that, she’ll have to learn how to use her voice and face her biggest fears.

Format Your Price Add
978-1-7284-9322-0
$14.99
979-8-7656-3040-2
$24.99
Available at all major wholesalers and distributors. Save 25% off list price on hardcovers and ebooks when you buy direct! Digital purchases will be accessed on Lerner Digital Bookshelf. An account will be created for you after purchase.
Interest Level Grade 6 - Grade 8
Reading Level Grade 6
Category Diverse Books: #OwnVoices, Diverse Books: Physical Disability & Illness, Diversity, SEL: B Self-Management, SEL: C Social Awareness, SEL: D Relationship Skills, SEL: E Responsible Decision-Making, Social Emotional Learning
Copyright 2024
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Carolrhoda Books ®
Language English
Number of Pages 360
Publication Date 2024-10-01
Text Type Fiction
BISACS JUV039290, JUV002170, JUV039060
Dewey [Fic]
Dimensions 5.25 x 7.5
Guided Reading Level X
Features Afterword, Author/Illustrator biography, Author/Illustrator note, Reviewed, Teaching Guides, and eSource

Author: Kerry O'Malley Cerra

Kerry O’Malley Cerra is an award-winning author of middle grade books. Her first novel, Just a Drop of Water, landed on five state reading lists, won the Crystal Kite Award, a Florida Book Award, and was named to VOYA’s Top Shelf Fiction list for 2014. Her second novel, Hear Me, is out now. Stay tuned for her forthcoming books, Make a Little Wave, (Oct. 1, 2024 from Carolrhoda Books, Lerner Publishing) and a nonfiction picture book, The Gallaudet Eleven: The Story of NASA’s Deaf Bioastronauts (March 2026 from Little, Brown BFYR). Kerry’s work has received praise from The New York Times, Kirkus, School Library Journal, Booklist, VOYA, and the Horn Book Guide calling her stories moving, perceptive, well-developed, and woven with an expert hand. Kerry, a former high school media specialist and social studies teacher, lives in South Florida with her husband and two poorly behaved rescue dogs.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

Make a Little Wave

Swim with the current, or go against the flow? Savannah has been feeling out of place ever since her family moved to Sandy Dune, Florida. She finds it easier to make friends with animals than people. Plus, everyone in Sandy Dune seems to love spending time in the View available downloads →

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Reviews

Booklist

“This realistic portrayal of a kid who goes full steam ahead with her passion is a relatable, engaging, if sometimes frustrating, read that captures the hard-headedness of an eighth grader and provides nuance and growth for the burgeoning activist.”—Booklist

Publishers Weekly

“Via empathetic depictions of her actions—through which Sav makes more than a little wave—O’Malley Cerra (Just a Drop of Water) illustrates how diplomacy and team-building get the job done.”—Publishers Weekly

Kirkus Reviews

“A conservation tale with the ability to empower readers.”—Kirkus Reviews

Fred Koehler

“Sav sets out to change the world like most of us—clumsily and with many a cringeworthy caper. But it’s her willingness to grow that makes her the kind of heroine who genuinely makes a difference. I greatly enjoyed this read.”—Fred Koehler, author of Garbage Island

Jess Redman

“A heartfelt and powerful exploration of one girl’s journey to find not just her voice but a way to be heard. I loved Sav’s passion, her flaws, and her heart as she spoke for the sharks and inspired her community.”—Jess Redman, author of The Adventure Is Now

Lily Williams

“A must-read for any young shark enthusiasts—or indeed anyone who cares about protecting wildlife.”—Lily Williams, coauthor of Go With the Flow and Look on the Bright Side