{"product_id":"whale-fall-9780593859216","title":"Whale Fall","description":"\u003cb\u003eA debut novel in the tradition of \u003ci\u003eBlack Beauty\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe One and Only Ivan\u003c\/i\u003e, in which a young orca who dreams of becoming the matriarch of her pod instead finds herself living a life in captivity. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"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 \u003ci\u003eJosephine Against the Sea \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eHere Lies A Ghost\u003c\/i\u003e\" \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhale, 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBut 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhale'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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA deeply moving story of family, determination, and hope as a majestic creature weathers the storms of a life in captivity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Elysia Rourke\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Nancy Paulsen Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 09\/15\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 288\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.85lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.30h x 5.70w x 1.20d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780593859216\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAudience:\u003c\/b\u003e Ages 9-12\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAccelerated Reader:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReading Level:\u003c\/b\u003e 6.5\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePoint Value:\u003c\/b\u003e 11\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eInterest Level:\u003c\/b\u003e Middle Grade\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eQuiz #\/Name: \u003c\/b\u003e560087 \/ Whale Fall\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e 06\/01\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 06\/15\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 06\/26\/2026 pg. 1\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eElysia 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. \u003ci\u003eWhale Fall\u003c\/i\u003e is her debut novel.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"booksdeli.com","offers":[{"title":"Elysia Rourke \/ Hardcover \/ English","offer_id":48944179183773,"sku":"9780593859216","price":22.78,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0619\/5648\/9373\/files\/img_4b9dcfeb-d56a-444e-82d4-c04d23c3dd54.jpg?v=1790155293","url":"https:\/\/booksdeli.com\/products\/whale-fall-9780593859216","provider":"booksdeli.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}