Make a Little Wave

“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

“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

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

“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

“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

“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

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.