Earth Day, April 22, 2019
Theme for Earth Day — Protect our Species
Song for a Whale
Lynne Kelly, Author
Delacorte Books for Young Readers, Fiction, Feb. 5, 2019
Suitable for Ages: 8-12 (adults will enjoy)
Pages: 299
Themes: Deaf girl, School, Whales, Grandmother, Communication, Hope, Travel
Synopsis:
From fixing the class computer to repairing old radios, twelve-year-old Iris is a tech genius. But she’s the only deaf person in her school, so people often treat her like she’s not very smart. If you’ve ever felt like no one was listening to you, then you know how hard that can be.
When she learns about Blue 55, a hybrid whale (his mother a blue whale, his father a fin whale) who is unable to communicate with other whales, Iris understands how he must feel. Most whales call out at frequencies of 35 hertz and lower, but Blue 55 sings at 55 hertz. His unique voice isn’t understood by the other whales. He has swum alone for decades with little contact with other whale pods or his family.
Iris has an idea to invent a way to “sing” to him. She uses her tech skills, works with the school musicians to record a song at Blue 55’s frequency, and mixes it with his own song. She sends it to a marine biologist from an Alaskan sanctuary trying to tag Blue 55. Iris hopes that sanctuaries will play it as he migrates along the west coast, so he can hear his song. The marine biologist responds enthusiastically and says she will play the recording. Iris wants to be there, but Blue 55 and the sanctuary are three thousand miles away. How will she play her song for him? How will she see him?
Why I LOVE this book:
Lynn Kelly’s Song for a Whale is a captivating story about the connection between a deaf girl and a whale. Kelly is a remarkable storyteller who weaves together the parallel lives of these two unlikely characters, who are lonely and want to be heard. With Iris narrating, readers will gain insight into what it’s like to be deaf in a hearing world.
Iris’s quest to help Blue 55 hear his own song will melt your heart. It is so refreshing to read a novel about a spunky and determined deaf girl who uses her smarts and unique technical talents to improve the life and well-being of a whale that is lonely. Iris is a perfect role model for young people, who have their own struggles. She is also a reminder to readers that we each have our own inner strengths and abilities to make a difference in the world.
Iris’s bond with her deaf grandmother is the most interesting in the story — and I love intergenerational relationships. Her grandmother is a recent widow, who is dealing with her grief. It was exciting to watch her grandmother’s growth in the story as she begins to live again and heal. It adds a lot of lightness and humor to the story. Most important she understands and believes in Iris. There are many other memorable, lovable, quirky and flawed characters in the story, but my favorite was the grandmother.
The plot is fast-paced and engages readers from the first chapter. Time is of the essence for Iris, because Blue 55 could appear at any time, any where. When Iris’s parents tell her she can’t go to Alaska, her deaf grandmother steps in and secretly arranges the trip. Their trip to “the beach,” turns out to be to Alaska, unbeknownst to her parents. Iris and her karaoke-loving grandmother have a grand time together and new friendships are made. But when and where will Blue 55 surface. The suspense and the unexpected twists in the plot will have readers rapidly turning pages.
Resources: Make sure you read the information from the author about “Whale Communications and the 52-Hertz Whale’ at the end of the book She also includes information about “Deafness and Sign Language.” This book is a timely share for Earth Day — Protect our Species.
Lynne Kelly’s work as a sign language interpreter has taken her everywhere from classrooms to hospitals to Alaskan cruises. Her first novel, the award-winning Chained, was named to seven state reading lists and won the SCBWI’S Crystal Kite Award. She liver near Houston, Texas, with her adorable dog, Holly. Visit Lynne Kelly at her website.
Favorite Quote:
“I was the one who was lonely, and I’d wanted the whale to hear me,” said Iris. Page 261
Greg Pattridge hosts Marvelous Middle Grade Monday posts on his wonderful Always in the Middle website. Check out the link to see all of the wonderful reviews by KidLit bloggers and authors.
*Reviewed from a library copy.
A perfect choice for Earth Day. I hope teachers stock this one in their library!
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I hope so too! It is an exceptional story!
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Love the theme of this book. Great review, Pat!
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Thank you Robin! This book is at the top of my list of favorites. Such a beautiful story. My daughter is hearing impaired, so this story impacted me even more.
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This book sounds incredible. I have reserved it at my library, which has 24 copies of the book, with only 4 available. That is good news for the author!
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Wow, 24 copies — the author will be happy. You will love this story.
Just ordered your book for another new great grandchild due this summer.
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I LOVE this idea. The title made it sound like a vague I-love-the-earth non-story, but WOW. It’s so much more STORY than I expected. I’m checking right now to see if it’s available on my Kindle.
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I’m sure it is on kindle. Could not put it down. And, you will love the intergenerational relationship — granny is quite hip.
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This sounds like a good one. I can’t believe they went on the trip without her parent’s knowledge. Thanks for the review. It has a beautiful cover.
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You have to understand the bond between the two — and there was no way the parents would have agreed. Such a adventure for both.
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I’m glad we both posted about this book today. We hit on many of the same strengths but with a few extra insights from each of our reviews. I hope it gives a boost to the book. Kids are selective in what they read and this one will have to come with a strong recommendation.
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Yes, our reviews were both similar/different. The cover is a great sell — it is so beautiful. But kids love whale stories, and it did make me think of Free Willy as I read it.
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What a unique premise. It’s in my TBR pile, so I need to get to it asap. Thank you for the thorough and thoughtful review.
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Thanks Michael. I know you’ll enjoy this beautiful story! There is so much going on in the story and there is some fun.
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How interesting you and Greg reviewed the same book! I hadn’t heard of it before today, but I’m intrigued.
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It is worth the read. One of favorites this year. I really enjoyed that they focused on Iris’s abilities — which are amazing. Such a beautiful story.
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What a great premise! I think I love everything about this book!
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Kim, I hope you read this story. There is so much to love about Iris, her compassion and determination — and her spunky granny.
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This sounds fantastic! I always have kids do “whale breathing” when I read The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm at school assemblies – how fascinating to learn more about actual whales in a book like this. I will check it out! Thanks, Patricia! xoxo
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I hope you do Susan. Iris is such a well-written character with so many abilities. And, she is determined. Based on a true story.
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I love the premise of this book, Patricia. You’ve sold me.
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Great! I really enjoyed spending time with this story. Iris is a great character — and so is her grandmother.
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🙂
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This sounds like such a beautiful story, and the cover is stunning. I will be looking for this one to add to my summer reading list. Thanks for sharing this with us for MMGM, Patricia.
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The cover is stunning. You will enjoy every moment. There is so much humor in the story that I didn’t share. But, Iris is on a mission and nothing gets in her way.
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I have been hearing a lot about this book and hope to get a chance to read it soon. Thanks for your thoughts.
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I hope you do — I know you will love Iris and her determination.
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This sounds like a wonderful book! I’ve always wanted to sing to whales, too.
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This has to be one of my favorites this year! So much to love in this story!
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