A Galaxy of Whales
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A Galaxy of Whales
Narrated by:
Cassandra Morris
Buy Now for £9.58
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Narrated by:
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Cassandra Morris
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By:
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Heather Fawcett
About this listen
When Fern hears about a photo contest with a big cash award, she decides she’ll enter and win! After all, photography is her passion (and was an interest she shared with her dad, who has recently died). She knows she can take a prize-worthy photo of a whale during one of the whale-watching tours her mom runs.
But her neighbor (and nemesis), Jasper, is also planning to enter the contest. It’s another frustration for Fern while she’s already coping with the worry that her best friend, Ivy, might not want to spend time with her anymore. She’s hoping to use the prize money to buy something that will attract Ivy’s interest.
This summer story has everything: the trials and pleasures of friendship, a rousing feud and a touch of adventure, a beautiful exploration of healing after grief, a very moving finale, and a whole lot of whale-watching fascination.
Critic reviews
"Fawcett gracefully blends the immediate experiences of her awkward but determined protagonist with a warmhearted, humorous look at a small Salish Sea community. Funny, tender, and engagingly poignant." —Kirkus
"This sweet, summery story focuses on a small slice of life in a Canadian coastal town, but its poignant portrayal of grief and growth is universally applicable. Fern’s moments of wonder and frustration are especially relatable, and her supporting cast is a delight, including an antagonistic but affectionate brother and a ghostly attic possum on patrol. An enthralling examination of the gut-wrenching and beautiful inevitability of change." —Booklist
"Fawcett eschews traditional tropes surrounding friendship breakups by imbuing Fern and Ivy’s relationship with nuance and tenderly depicting Fern’s struggles to maintain relationships as those dynamics shift. Organically incorporated lessons regarding endangered animals and environmental challenges add further depth."—Publishers Weekly
"This sweet, summery story focuses on a small slice of life in a Canadian coastal town, but its poignant portrayal of grief and growth is universally applicable. Fern’s moments of wonder and frustration are especially relatable, and her supporting cast is a delight, including an antagonistic but affectionate brother and a ghostly attic possum on patrol. An enthralling examination of the gut-wrenching and beautiful inevitability of change." —Booklist
"Fawcett eschews traditional tropes surrounding friendship breakups by imbuing Fern and Ivy’s relationship with nuance and tenderly depicting Fern’s struggles to maintain relationships as those dynamics shift. Organically incorporated lessons regarding endangered animals and environmental challenges add further depth."—Publishers Weekly
A young girl called Fern starts the summer holidays helping with her family's whale watching business. She enters a photography competition with her rival and neighbour Jasper.
- The author captures very well the awkwardness and changing relationships of preteen life. I felt for Fern as she becomes more aware that she and those around her are not little kids anymore and with that there are changes to her friendship dynamic.
- For a book that has whales in the title, the whales do not feature heavily. They are in the background for the most part.
- I realise I am not the intended audience for this book. However, I found the plot frustrating and that it did really go anywhere. I also found Fern quite whingey, some of which I understood, and it became quite grating after a while.
A simple read that I would think would be enjoyed by actual preteens who might empathise more.
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