Beth Ferry - Land Shark

TO JOSH, ZACH, AND ALLYMY FIRST READERS, MY STAUNCH SUPPORTERS, AND MY VERY FAVORITE PEOPLE B. F. FOR HOLLY, AND FOR ALL SHARK LOVERS B. M. Text copyright 2015 by Beth Ferry.
Illustrations copyright 2015 by Ben Mantle.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
Ferry, Beth, author. Land shark / by Beth Ferry ; illustrated by Ben Mantle. pages cm Summary: Bobby wants a shark for his birthday, so he is disappointed when his parents get him a puppy instead--but this puppy turns out to be a bit of a shark herself. ISBN 978-1-4521-2458-2 (hc)
ISBN 978-1-4521-3072-9 (epub 2)
ISBN 978-14521-5354-4 (epub 3)
ISBN 978-14521-5353-7 (mobi)
ISBN 978-14521-5355-1 (epib) 1. Puppies--Juvenile fiction. 2.

Birthdays--Juvenile fiction. 3. Gifts--Juvenile fiction. 4. Sharks--Juvenile fiction. [1.

Dogs--Fiction. 2. Animals--Infancy--Fiction. 3. Sharks--Fiction. 4.

Pets--Fiction.] I. Mantle, Ben, illustrator. II. Title. PZ7.1.F47Lan 2015 813.6--dc23 2014020021 Design by Ryan Hayes.
Typeset in Brandon Text.
The illustrations in this book were rendered in watercolor paint, pencil, and retouched digitally. Chronicle Books LLC
680 Second Street
San Francisco, California 94107 Chronicle Bookswe see things differently.

Become part of our community at www.chroniclekids.com. Bobby had a plan. A Fishy plan.
A Wishful plan. A Frightful, Bite-Ful, Delightful plan. STEP 1: Convince parents STEP 2: Get shark Not a small freshwater shark,
but a real, scooped-out-of-the-ocean,
chock-full-of-teeth shark. A whale shark or a lemon shark or a bull shark.

It didnt matter.
Bobby liked them all. He baited a hook with clever signs, and reeled his parents right in.
He forgot just one Tiny detail. On the morning of his birthday, Bobbys parents threw
open the garage door. Surprise! they yelled. No enormous saltwater tank.
No rows of sharp teeth.
No awesome dorsal fin.
No... shark.

Happy Birthday! Whats this? Bobby asked.
A puppy, said his mom. The very best, most coolest present ever.
Good one, Mom. Are we going to the aquarium? For what? his dad asked.
For my shark, Bobby answered.
Dont be silly, said his mom.
You cant have a shark. Sharks arent pets, his sister said.
Did you think you were getting a shark? his brother laughed. Bobby ran up to his room, not crying, not crying one salty tear. His mom brought the puppy upstairs.
Look at her, she crooned.
Shes sweet,
Sharks arent sweet.
and adorable,
Sharks are not adorable.
and cuddly.
Sharks do not cuddle.
Just give her a chance. Shark lovers cannot be converted to dog lovers. Shark lovers cannot be converted to dog lovers.

Ever! The next day, Bobby awoke to shouting and barking. Have you seen my shoe? his dad called. Have you seen my baseball? his brother yelled. Panda? his sister cried. Has anyone seen Panda? The puppy dropped Panda at Bobbys feet, tail wagging. Bobby surveyed the damage.

It was Destruction , with a capital D . It was frightful.
It was bite-ful.
It was delightful! He could hear his mother coming. Good luck, he told the puppy. After one week, the puppy had chewed through five pairs of shoes, six stuffed animals, and the legs of three chairs. She barked at 10 p.m., 2 a.m., and any other m she wanted. , said Bobbys sister. Ark! said the puppy. Shhhh... , said Bobbys brother. Ark! said the puppy. Shhhh... Shhhh...

Ark! I wish, said Bobby. Everyone was grumpy.
Everyone except Bobby.
He was thrilled.
A shark was looking better and better. That night, the doorbell rang.
Is this yours? Mrs. Grenly asked, pointing at a pile of garbage.
The garbage ran right over to Bobby.
He sniffed. She must have smelled your spaghetti sauce. Did you know that sharks have an amazing sense of smell? Mrs.

Grenly peered into the house. Do you have a shark in there? Not yet, said Bobby. Bobbys mom handed him the puppy, Someone needs to give her a bath. Or give her away, Bobby mumbled. But as he carried the puppy upstairs, he whispered, Tiger sharks like garbage too.