Whale Fall

A debut novel in the tradition of Black Beauty and The One and Only Ivan, in which a young orca who dreams of becoming the matriarch of her pod instead finds herself living a life in captivity.

"Heartbreaking, but unputdownable. Read with a box of tissues. Whale's story doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of animals in captivity, but it is a testament to the power of faith, storytelling, and hope."--Shakirah Bourne, author of Josephine Against the Sea and Here Lies A Ghost"

Whale, a young orca, dreams of becoming the matriarch and storyteller of her own pod one day, just like her grandmother. But her dream becomes a nightmare when she is captured by the Two-Legs and taken to a sea pen far from her ocean home. At first, angry and scared, Whale can only think of escape and finding her way back to her family. But as the months wear on, and Whale becomes restless and lonely, she finds herself befriending her keeper, Red, named for his bright red fur. Whale starts to look forward to their daily feeding rituals and playtime as they learn to communicate. As time goes on, she even counts on Red's singsong laughter to fill her day.

But just as Whale gets used to life with Red, she is ripped away from the sea pen she's lived in for more than a year. She's taken on a long, painful journey in a container to somewhere new--the suffocating waters of an aquarium. Whale is given a name--Ingrid--and along with whales who don't speak her language, she is made to perform. The grueling work is hard on Whale's body, but if she doesn't perform, she doesn't eat.

Whale's only solace is the memories of her pod and her grandmother's stories of Great Mother and how whales came to be. Whale longs for the promise of Whale Fall, where the Great Mother will at last reunite her with her family--her body becoming one with the ocean. But also she tries to find joy in the here and now and in the comfort of her adopted pod. And, before rest, there is still one unexpected dream that will come true for Whale.

A deeply moving story of family, determination, and hope as a majestic creature weathers the storms of a life in captivity.

Author: Elysia Rourke
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Published: 09/15/2026
Pages: 288
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.70w x 1.20d
ISBN: 9780593859216
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 6.5
Point Value: 11
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 560087 / Whale Fall


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 06/01/2026
Kirkus Reviews 06/15/2026
School Library Journal 06/26/2026 pg. 1

About the Author
Elysia Rourke lives in Almonte, Ontario with her husband, two sons, and dog. She has a weakness for London Fogs, Christmas morning, and a salty ocean breeze. Whale Fall is her debut novel.