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A tween''s epic flop at a legendary island ritual sends her into an underwater kingdom in this inventive middle-grade fantasy inspired by Korean folklore--based on the viral TikTok musical by composer-lyricist and rising star Julia Riew. Jung doesn''t believe in magic--not the powerful dragons, mystical queens, or any other fantastical stories whispered by the elders of Haemin Island. She''d rather focus on real, important things, like getting into her dream study abroad program. Jung''s been working for this all summer--no, her whole life--and she can''t wait to finally leave her tiny hometown behind. There''s just one last step to complete: a supposedly "legendary" rite-of-passage called the Dive. But when Jung''s Dive goes horribly, embarrassingly wrong, the whole island discovers the truth: she''s been terrified of the ocean ever since her mother vanished at sea four years ago. Determined to prove she''s not a coward, Jung returns to the cliffside--when a raging storm hits, sweeping her down... ...into the underwater queendom that she never believed existed. Now, trapped in a world of secrets, spirits, and a vengeful queen bent on destroying Haemin Island, Jung must team up with a mischievous crown prince to save her world--and uncover the truth about her past--before it''s too late.
About the author
Julia Riew is a composer-lyricist, librettist, and novelist known for her Korean-folktale inspired musical Dive and her young adult fantasy novel The Last Tiger, which she co-authored with her brother Brad Riew. In addition to winning the 18th Annual Fred Ebb Award, Julia has been Playbill’s Featured Songwriter of the Month, a Woman to Watch on Broadway, and a Princess Grace Award Honoraria recipient. Shim Jung Takes the Dive is her first middle grade novel.
