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Song for a Whale — Content Guide for Parents

By Lynne KellyRandom House Children's Books2019-12-31ISBN 9781524770266304 pages
Song for a Whale

Themes present

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ViolenceScary contentReligious themesRacial/cultural contentProfanityClimate changeSexual identityGender rolesLGBTQ+ themes

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Religious themes

PRESENT

Contains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.

About this book

The award-winning and USA Today bestselling story of a deaf girl's connection to a whale whose song can't be heard by his species, and the journey she takes to help him.

"Fascinating, brave, and tender...a triumph." --Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award-winning author of The One and Only Ivan


From fixing the class computer to repairing old radios, twelve-year-old Iris is a tech genius. But she's the only deaf person in her school, so people often treat her like she's not very smart. If you've ever felt like no one was listening to you, then you know how hard that can be.

When she learns about Blue 55, a real whale who is unable to speak to other whales, Iris understands how he must feel. Then she has an idea: she should invent a way to "sing" to him! But he's three thousand miles away. How will she play her song for him?

Full of heart and poignancy, this affecting story by sign language interpreter Lynne Kelly shows how a little determination can make big waves.


And make sure to read Lynne Kelly's next book and instant classic, The Secret Language of Birds!

Frequently asked questions

  • Is Song for a Whale appropriate for a 7-year-old?

    No violence in the book. The story is about a girl's determination to help a whale and does not include any physical violence or harmful actions. No genuinely frightening content in the book. The story is heartwarming and focuses on the connection between Iris and the whale.

  • Does Song for a Whale have violence?

    No violence in the book. The story is about a girl's determination to help a whale and does not include any physical violence or harmful actions.

  • Does Song for a Whale have scary content?

    No genuinely frightening content in the book. The story is heartwarming and focuses on the connection between Iris and the whale.

  • Does Song for a Whale have religious themes?

    No religious content in the book itself. The narrative centers around a deaf girl's journey to communicate with a whale, with no references to religious practices or beliefs.

  • Does Song for a Whale have racial/cultural content?

    No explicit racial themes in the book. The narrative does not address race or racism as a central theme.

  • Does Song for a Whale have profanity?

    No profanity detected in the book. The language used is appropriate for the target age group.

  • Does Song for a Whale have climate change?

    While the book includes information about whales and their habitats, it does not explicitly address climate themes or activism related to environmental issues.

  • Does Song for a Whale have sexual identity?

    No sexual content in the book. The narrative is focused on themes of communication and connection rather than any sexual themes.

  • Does Song for a Whale have gender roles?

    The book features a strong female protagonist, Iris, but does not actively discuss or critique gender roles. The focus is on her personal journey and challenges.

  • Does Song for a Whale have lgbtq+ themes?

    No LGBTQ+ themes present in the book. The story focuses on a deaf girl named Iris and her connection with a whale, without any mention of LGBTQ+ characters or themes.

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