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Song for a Whale Audiobook
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Publisher Description
In the spirit of modern-day classics like Fish in a Tree and Counting by 7s comes the 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.
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.
*This audiobook edition includes an author’s note and a section on deafness and sign language, both read by the author Lynne Kelly
"Fascinating, brave, and tender...a triumph." --Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award-winning author of The One and Only Ivan
"Beautifully written and such an important story for kids with big struggles in their lives. I fell into Iris's world from the first chapter. Lynne Kelly does an amazing job telling the story from Iris's perspective." --Millicent Simmonds, actress, Wonderstruck and A Quiet Place
"Quick-moving, suspenseful...this remains a satisfying, energetic read. Iris' adventures will engross readers." --Kirkus Reviews
"This finely crafted novel affectingly illuminates issues of loneliness, belonging, and the power of communication." --Publishers Weekly
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“Iris, a twelve-year-old deaf girl, prefers American Sign Language to speech, but listeners can still hear her every thought and sign. This is thanks to Abigail Revasch, who expressively narrates Iris’ ASL conversations and mental musings…Revasch captures Iris’ frustration and anger as she furiously signs her displeasure to her parents, who refuse to let her participate in the Blue 55 tracking expedition, which takes place three thousand miles from her home. Other times, Revasch conveys the linguistic beauty of ASL in this insightful glimpse of deaf culture. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFile
Quotes
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Schneider Family Book Award WinnerA New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
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At its luminous heart, Song for a Whale is a tale about longing for connection and finding it in the most magical and unexpected of places. Fascinating, brave and tender, this is a story like no other about a song like no other. A triumph.
— Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award-winning author of The One and Only Ivan -
Song for a Whale is beautifully written and is such an important story for kids with big struggles in their lives. I fell into Iris's world from the first chapter. Lynne Kelly does an amazing job telling the story from Iris's perspective.
— Millicent Simmonds, actress, Wonderstruck and A Quiet Place -
A quick-moving, suspenseful plot takes her from junkyards to a cruise ship as she [Iris] gains the confidence to stand up for herself and take control of her life. Written by a sign-language interpreter, this story incorporates important elements of Deaf culture and the expansiveness and richness of ASL...this remains a satisfying, energetic read. Iris' adventures will engross readers.
— Kirkus Reviews -
"The strength of the book is its strong portrayal of Iris as a deaf girl in a hearing world and an intelligent 12-year-old in headlong, single-minded pursuit of her goal.
— Booklist -
Subtly and poignantly drawing a parallel between the girl and whale, Kelly (Chained), who has worked as a sign language interpreter, relays Iris’s venture with credibility and urgency. This finely crafted novel affectingly illuminates issues of loneliness, belonging, and the power of communication.
— Publishers Weekly -
"Iris’s depth of empathy, the joy she feels working with radios, and the skillful way she navigates two different worlds of communication create an authenticity that will resonate with Deaf and hearing readers alike... An uplifting tale that’s a solid addition to most collections; especially recommended for libraries needing stronger representation of Deaf protagonists.
— SLJ
Awards
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Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award
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Nominated for Massachusetts Children's Book Award, 2020
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Nominated for New Mexico Land of Enchantment Book Award, 2021
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Winner of Schneider Family Book Award, 2020
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Nominated for Massachusetts Children's Book Award, 2020
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Nominated for New Mexico Land of Enchantment Book Award, 2021
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Winner of Schneider Family Book Award, 2020
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Nominated for Massachusetts Children's Book Award, 2020
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Nominated for New Mexico Land of Enchantment Book Award, 2021
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Winner of Schneider Family Book Award, 2020
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Nominated for Massachusetts Children's Book Award, 2020
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Nominated for New Mexico Land of Enchantment Book Award, 2021
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Winner of Schneider Family Book Award, 2020
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Nominated for Massachusetts Children's Book Award, 2020
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Nominated for New Mexico Land of Enchantment Book Award, 2021
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Winner of Schneider Family Book Award, 2020
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Nominated for Massachusetts Children's Book Award, 2020
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Nominated for New Mexico Land of Enchantment Book Award, 2021
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Winner of Schneider Family Book Award, 2020
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Nominated for Massachusetts Children's Book Award, 2020
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Nominated for New Mexico Land of Enchantment Book Award, 2021
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Winner of Schneider Family Book Award, 2020
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Nominated for Massachusetts Children's Book Award, 2020
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Nominated for New Mexico Land of Enchantment Book Award, 2021
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Winner of Schneider Family Book Award, 2020
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About Lynne Kelly
Lynne Kelly has has always loved reading, but as while working as a special education teacher she fell in love with children's literature all over again. Today, she lives in Houston, Texas and works as a sign language interpreter while writing books for kids. Her first book, Chained, was a South Asia Book Award Honor and Crystal Kite Award winner. Song for a Whale is her second novel.
About Abigail Revasch
Abigail Revasch is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and an actress. She has starred in television shows such as 7th Heaven and ER and has narrated numerous video games and commercials, as well as audiobooks. She holds a BA in theater arts from Northwestern University.