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Shim Jung takes the Dive

Brief Description
A magical underwater fantasy adventure inspired by Korean folklore – perfect for fans of K-Pop Demon Hunters! If you had pulled me aside and told me I’d soon be known as the hero who saved my people from total destruction, I probably would’ve laughed in your... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$1700
Elsewhere:
$1999
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Releases 1st September 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "Shim Jung takes the Dive" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

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A magical underwater fantasy adventure inspired by Korean folklore – perfect for fans of KPop Demon Hunters!

New for 2026, an epic underwater adventure for middle-grade readers

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A magical underwater fantasy adventure inspired by Korean folklore – perfect for fans of K-Pop Demon Hunters!

If you had pulled me aside and told me I’d soon be known as the hero who saved my people from total destruction, I probably would’ve laughed in your face …

Every year, the girls on Jung’s island take the Dive – leaping into the depths of the ocean to bring back a treasure which predicts their fate. Some girls find pearls for good luck, or shells for strong foundations. But when Jung takes the Dive, she finds magic.

Now trapped in an underwater kingdom ruled by a vengeful queen, Jung’s only chance to escape is to find the lost dragons and harness their powerful magic. Jung and her unlikely ally Jae must set off on a dangerous quest, but can they uncover the truth about the Dragon Queendom, before it’s too late to save both their worlds?

Inspired by the Korean folktale Shim Jung, Shim Jung takes the Dive is an epic adventure about friendship, belonging and finding the courage to take the leap.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780008826789

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 May 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: HarperCollins

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 22.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 220g

Pages: 320

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.

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