A Whale of the Wild
By:
Illustrator: Lindsay Moore
In the stand-alone companion to the New York Times–bestselling A Wolf Called Wander, a young orca whale must lead her brother on a tumultuous journey to be reunited with their pod. This gorgeously illustrated novel explores family bonds, survival, global warming, and a changing seascape. A must-have for fans of Sara Pennypacker’s Pax.
For Vega and her family, salmon is life. And Vega is learning to be a salmon finder, preparing for the day when she will be her family’s matriarch. But then she and her brother Daneb are separated from their pod when a devastating earthquake and tsunami render the seascape unrecognizable. Vega must use every skill she has to lead her brother back to their family. The young orcas face a shark attack, hunger, the deep ocean, and polluted waters on their journey. Will Vega become the leader she’s destined to be?
“The Southern Resident Killer Whale Community.” Map. Author’s note. Illustrator’s note. Resources for young readers. General resources. Black-and-white illustrations.
ISBN: 9780062995926
JLG Release: Dec 2020
Sensitive Areas:
None
Topics:
Orca whales
, Animals
, Nature and the natural world
, Ocean life
, Survival
, Brothers and sisters
, Family
, Matriarchies
Praise & Reviews
Starred or favorable reviews have been received from these periodicals:
Horn Book
The whale of the title could apply to either of two narrators. Vega, a late-adolescent orca whale, is just coming into her own as a wayfinder. The alternating voice is that of her younger and impulsive brother Deneb. Their family is part of the Southern Resident Killer Whale Community that lives in the Salish Sea, an area of stunning ecological ric The whale of the title could apply to either of two narrators. Vega, a late-adolescent orca whale, is just coming into her own as a wayfinder. The alternating voice is that of her younger and impulsive brother Deneb. Their family is part of the Southern Resident Killer Whale Community that lives in the Salish Sea, an area of stunning ecological richness and diversity in the Pacific Northwest. The community is threatened by water pollution, noise pollution, climate change, and reduced populations of Chinook salmon. When there’s an earthquake with its resulting tsunami, Vega and Deneb become separated from their pod. Parry does a convincing job of presenting orca life in fresh language that rings true. Tides are Push and Pull. Directions are warmward and coldward. Echo-location is click-stream. Connection between family members is maintained by the repeated reassurance, “I’m beside you,” a refrain that becomes increasingly heartbreaking as the characters try to deal with the fracturing of their world. The story contains gracefully integrated information on such varied topics as the eel (“all teeth and patience”) and the poison taste of an oil spill, without ever losing narrative momentum or emotional drive. Back matter gives clear explanations of terms (krill are “pink, opaque, and the size and weight of a paper clip”), suggestions for further reading, and practical tips for the young reader as to how to help save this precious environment. Detailed black-and-white illustrations beautifully support a powerful portrait of nature under threat. SARAH ELLIS
Book Details
ISBN
9780062995926
First Release
December 2020
Genre
Fiction
Dewey Classification
F
Trim Size
8 3/10" x 5 1/2"
Page Count
240
Accelerated Reader
Level 5.7; Points: 5;
Scholastic Reading Counts
N/ALexile
N/AFormat
Print Book
Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
Greenwillow Bks.
Potentially Sensitive Areas
None
Topics
Orca whales, Animals, Nature and the natural world, Ocean life, Survival, Brothers and sisters, Family, Matriarchies,
