Ok. You know those new books? Those books where the characters actually have smartphones and are worried about things like boys and stepsiblings and wearing more makeup than the cosmetologists at Belk? The books that as a rule, I don’t read or like?
I broke my rule, y’all.
So I’m a huge fan of whales. Especially humpbacks. They’re my favorite animal. They are so beautiful and majestic and they make AMAZING sounds. (Listen to beautiful whale sounds here.) When I was researching humpbacks last summer, I stumbled across this book. Reading the synopsis, I was a little iffy. After all, it is about a girl whose parents divorce, after which her mom dies and she goes to live with her dad, stepmom and step siblings. And then she talks to a whale.
Would you be skeptical?
Honestly, I loved this book! A lot. Even though it was one of those middle grade books that was not-so-subtly trying to teach you stuff by opening each journal entry with fascinating facts about marine life. Even though another of the main themes was conservation (THEY DIDN’T TAKE IT TOO FAR!! 🥳). And even though I found the adults sadly portrayed, especially at the beginning.
Why did I enjoy Willa and the Whale, despite all of these flaws? Well, some of them actually became strengths. While I probably will never write a book that starts each chapter with fascinating facts, I learned A LOT. And often, the authors actually built the animals Willa had discussed into similes throughout the following pages. Also, one of my biggest complaints with modern fiction is that the quality of writing is very poor. Even though this book was in first person (which is where I see poor writing the most), the writing was fantastic. It flowed well, sounded pretty, and I thought the authors depicted Willa’s emotions impressively well.
I also really liked several of the characters. Willa was a neat girl with insecurities, likes, and dislikes just like the next person. She felt very real to me. Then there was Marc, Willa’s boy-space-friend*, who also had a deliciously deep character. AND MEG! 🐋 She was very sweet. (The audiobook reader annoyed me a little bit because her Meg voice was so happy and kind of loopy, but thankfully that did not mess up her character for me.)
All in all, I would highly recommend Willa and the Whale to upper middle school and high school students. Even though it was the most modern piece of fiction I’ve read in a long time (actually, maybe EVER), the characters, the whales, and some of the themes left an impact on me that lasted for days. While the authors were not believers, the black thread questioning the toughness of death helped remind me that this world is not the end, and that death has lost its sting. Besides, the ending was happy. Who doesn’t love a good tail that ends with a splash? (Sorry.)(Not sorry.)
*If you listen to Adventures and Odyssey or have a sibling that listens and talks about it a lot (🥸), you’ll know this means a friend of the opposite gender with whom your relationship is completely platonic.
Image credit: WallpaperCave
Sounds like a fun book! I’ll have to check it out if I see it at my library. (I’m super happy with myself for understanding your reference too, haha.)
Hehe! Odyssey fans are everywhere!
Middle grade modern fiction is so often disappointing and disheartening. Like, what is the world coming to!?!? Nice to hear there are some decent ones out there, too. Great review!
Ikr! Thanks!
I wonder who that younger sibling of yours is, Ella Em. 😶
I might have to check this book out for myself! ❣️ 🐳
Hehe… 🥸
What a good find! I agree with everything you said about modern books. It’s so true!
And sad. It’s up to us young writers to create amazing modern books!