I loved the main character and story’s narrator, Iris. It’s just that the rest was such amazingly good realistic fiction and I found the unrealistic portions kind of jarring, however moving and fun.

While they were excellent, informative and interesting, I still couldn’t quite accept one aspect of the story, the fictional whale parts, even though I sort of adored that part of the story too. I couldn’t quite suspend disbelief and all the way through, once I hit page 76, I was eager to read the author’s notes at the end. In most ways I loved this book but I couldn’t quite give it 5 stars because of the point of view of the whale/other whales too. It’s one of those books that made our hearts ache a bit once we finished it. We would absolutely recommend this novel to anyone who loves animals, who wants to know more about deaf people, and who enjoys soulful journeys. It’s the characters that drive this novel.

The story has some chapters from the viewpoint of the whale, which mimics Iris’ feelings of isolation and hope. Some of it can be beautiful, some not so much. Iris and her grandparents show us what deaf culture is like and allow readers to experience what life as a deaf person is when surrounded by hearing people. Kelly’s characters are deep, which allows readers to connect to them. Iris comes to terms with who she is by trying to communicate with Blue 55, the whale whose song is sung at 55 Hz. Iris is a brave girl who is often lonely and misunderstood. Kelly creates a touching story that centers on the need to belong, the need to communicate with those who understand us, the need to have a shared experience. Thus begins Iris’ journey to make a song for the whale and meet him so he knows that he’s not alone in this world. When she learns about a hybrid whale whose song is too different for other whales to understand him, Iris knows how he must feel - misunderstood, lonely and in search of someone who is just like him. She wants to go to a school for deaf kids but her mother doesn’t want her to go. Many treat her like she’s stupid because she’s deaf. But she still feels like there is something missing.

She has a loving family, even with a dad who has never taken to ASL well. She has her interests in repairing radios. Maybe she’ll read it to her kiddo when she’s a mom. It satisfied her need to learn about animals. It has solidified my daughter’s desire to learn ASL.

Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly is a book that will stay with both of us for many years to come. The best is when we hit a part that makes us look up into each other’s eyes and we share the same feeling - whether it be joy, concern, or sadness. It’s beautiful to find books we both fall in love with. Reading together snuggled on the couch or sitting at the kitchen table. Another mother-daughter read-along done! I love these moments with my girl.

Lynne kelly song for a whale