Song for A Whale
Lynne Kelly
£7.99
Mr B's review
Being the only deaf girl in her school, Iris immediately feels drawn to Blue 55, a whale who sings at a different frequency to other whales and is unable to communicate, or to stay with a pod for any length of time. The story follows Iris as she sets out to write a song for the whale so that he knows he’s not alone, and discovers the lengths she will go to for him, and for herself. A beautifully written and realised bildungsroman, designed and produced with the creativity and attention to detail that a book this incredible deserves. Beautiful, stirring and thoughtful, guaranteed to produce multiple ‘aaaw’ moments, perfect for any child who adores animals, a good adventurous romp, and the kind of ending that makes you want to hug the book to your chest and sob.
Description
A stirring and heart-warming tale of a young deaf girl who is determined to make a difference, the perfect read for fans of Wonder.
Iris was born deaf, but she’s never let that define her; after all, it’s the only life she’s ever known. And until recently she wasn’t even very lonely, because her grandparents are both deaf, too. But Grandpa has just died and Grandma’s not the same without him. The only place Iris really feels at home anymore is in her electronics workshop where she loves taking apart antique radios.
Then, during a science lesson about sound waves, Iris finds out about a whale who is unable to communicate with other whales. The lonely whale awakens something in Iris. She’s determined to show him that someone in the world knows he’s there.
Iris works on a foolproof plan to help the whale but she soon realises that that is not enough: Iris wants to find the whale herself. One stolen credit card, two cruise ship tickets, and the adventure of a lifetime later, Iris and the whale each break through isolation to help one another be truly heard in ways that neither had ever expected.
Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award, young children category, for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience.
Find this book on the following lists
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Staying Home? Adventures from Your Armchair (8-12 years)
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Deaf Characters in Fiction
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The Luna Project: Disability Pride Month Book List
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Disability Visibility in Kids Lit
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