While one of my only hang ups is that we put our own feelings on to the animals – assume that the whale is lonely, I really like how Iris connected to Blue 55. In Song for a Whale we also read a few chapters from the whale’s perspective. Throughout the book, these similarities are only deepened. So it’s not a surprise that there’s some parallels between Iris and Blue 55. Her passion for Blue 55, in many ways, mirrors her own struggle for being heard, and feelings of loneliness.

Even though Iris has her best friend, a grandmother, and her ability to fix radios, she still feels isolated in many ways. I can’t speak to the deaf representation in the book, but Iris struggles not only with her dad who doesn’t know sign language well, a classmate who thinks they can sign, and her feelings of isolation. The author’s experience as a sign language interpreter lends authenticity to the narrative. Song for a Whale is an adorable middle grade about Iris, a deaf girl, her family, and a whale. But, nothing stops Iris, and with her Deaf grandmother by her side, she sets out on a road trip to meet the whale and make sure he’s finally heard. One small problem: the whale is swimming off the coast of Alaska, nearly 3,000 miles from her Texas home. Saddened by the animal’s inability to speak to other whales, Iris uses her tech skills to come up with a plan communicate with Blue 55. Conn and her overly helpful classmate Nina, Iris can’t seem to catch a break.īut during science class, Iris learns about Blue 55-the loneliest whale in the world. School, on the other hand, isn’t quite as simple. A whiz at fixing electronics, she’s always felt at home in the world of wires and vacuum tubes.

Twelve-year-old Iris has never let her deafness slow her down. If you’re a whale nerd like me, you’ll love this book.

Song for a Whale is a cute middle grade novel about passion and community.

A song for a whale