Mandy Hager

I enjoyed this chronicle of the ties between a young orca and a teen boy, with chapters alternating between their points of view. I liked that the author used the term "Being" for the whales instead of animals or mammals; this helps to show that they have a culture of their own. Will Jackson is quite a unique character with his love and talent for opera singing, his Goth style, and his sensitivity for animals and people. His connection with the orca he names "Min" is through music; their mutual singing is a thing of beauty. As a recent visitor to New Zealand, I enjoyed and learned more about NZ culture, both Maori and White. Hager obviously did a lot of research into orcas as well. This is a story for mature teens; it contains profanity and respectful, mild sex between teens. Other themes include physical, mental, and emotional abuse; illegal whaling; friendship; family; and community, all well-written and realistic.… (plus d'informations)