Song for a Whaleis about twelve-year-old Iris, who feels most at home in her electronics workshop where she repairs antique radios. Iris’s depth of empathy, the joy she feels working with radios, and the skillful way she navigates two different worlds of communication create an authenticity that will resonate with Deaf and hearing readers alike… An uplifting tale that’s a solid addition to most collections especially recommended for libraries needing stronger representation of Deaf protagonists. Subtly and poignantly drawing a parallel between the girl and whale, Kelly ( Chained), who has worked as a sign language interpreter, relays Iris’s venture with credibility and urgency. This finely crafted novel affectingly illuminates issues of loneliness, belonging, and the power of communication. The strength of the book is its strong portrayal of Iris as a deaf girl in a hearing world and an intelligent 12-year-old in headlong, single-minded pursuit of her goal. Written by a sign-language interpreter, this story incorporates important elements of Deaf culture and the expansiveness and richness of ASL…this remains a satisfying, energetic read. Millicent Simmonds, actress, Wonderstruck and A Quiet PlaceĪ quick-moving, suspenseful plot takes her from junkyards to a cruise ship as she gains the confidence to stand up for herself and take control of her life. Lynne Kelly does an amazing job telling the story from Iris’s perspective. I fell into Iris’s world from the first chapter.

Song for a Whale is beautifully written and is such an important story for kids with big struggles in their lives. Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award-winning author of The One and Only Ivan Fascinating, brave and tender, this is a story like no other about a song like no other. At its luminous heart, Song for a Whale is a tale about longing for connection and finding it in the most magical and unexpected of places.

A song for a whale book