Song for a Whale

Song for a Whale follows 12-year-old Iris, who is deaf and struggles to connect with her hearing classmates at school. When she learns about Blue 55, a whale who sings at a frequency no other whales can understand, Iris becomes determined to create a song the lonely whale might hear. Iris channels her skills in electronics and sound technology to work on her whale song project, drawing parallels between her own experiences of isolation and Blue 55's solitude. Her quest leads her from her home in Texas toward the waters of Alaska, where the whale swims alone. The story incorporates themes of belonging, communication across differences, and the deep human need for connection. Through Iris's perspective, readers gain insight into Deaf culture while exploring universal questions about finding one's place in the world.

Readers connect with the depth of Iris's character as a deaf girl who feels isolated but finds purpose in helping a lonely whale. Many highlight the authentic portrayal of deaf culture and sign language. Liked: - Educational elements about sound waves, whales, and radio technology - Accurate representation of deaf experiences and family dynamics - Strong emotional core without being overly sentimental - Clear explanations of scientific concepts Disliked: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - A few readers wanted more development of secondary characters - Technical details occasionally overshadow the story Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (240+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 Notable reader comment: "As a deaf person, I appreciated how the author showed Iris's frustration with communication barriers without making her a victim." - Goodreads reviewer The book received the 2020 Schneider Family Book Award for its portrayal of disability experience.

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt A sixth-grade girl with dyslexia discovers her own way of learning while connecting with a teacher who helps her recognize her strengths.

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin A middle school girl processes grief through a science project about jellyfish while dealing with loss and isolation.

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper An eleven-year-old girl with cerebral palsy fights to make her voice heard through assistive technology.

Wonder by R. J. Palacio A boy with facial differences enters mainstream school for the first time in fifth grade and navigates peer relationships.

El Deafo by Cece Bell A graphic novel memoir follows a young rabbit who loses her hearing and finds her path through school with the help of a hearing aid.

🐋 The author, Lynne Kelly, worked as a sign language interpreter for over 20 years, which helped her authentically create the character of Iris, who is deaf. 🔊 The book was inspired by the real story of "52 Blue," a whale whose unique call frequency of 52 hertz means no other whales can understand him. 🏆 Song for a Whale won the 2020 Schneider Family Book Award for its outstanding representation of the disability experience in children's literature. 🌊 The book's main character repairs old radios, which parallels how she wants to help Blue 55 (the whale) connect with others - both through sound waves and communication. 🗣️ The author consulted with members of the Deaf community throughout the writing process to ensure accurate representation of deaf culture and experiences.