
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the ache of a missing parent or feels like the world is ignoring their voice. It is an ideal choice for children who feel a deep, protective bond with animals and need to see that their small actions can spark significant change. The story follows Kara, a young girl living in a Cornish fishing village, who is mourning her mother's disappearance at sea. When she discovers a rare albino dolphin calf tangled in a net, she finds a new sense of purpose. Through themes of environmental activism and grief, this story offers a realistic yet hopeful look at how a child can navigate adult-sized problems. It is best suited for ages 8 to 12, providing comfort to those who feel misunderstood by peers or authority figures.
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Sign in to write a reviewA school-aged character is involved in a physical altercation (a punch) due to bullying.
The book deals with the ambiguous loss of a parent (missing at sea), which is handled with a secular, realistic lens. The grief is palpable but not suffocating. The resolution is hopeful but honest: Kara's mother does not return, but Kara finds a way to carry on her legacy.
A 10-year-old who feels like an outsider, perhaps someone who expresses their emotions through a fierce love for nature or animals rather than words.
Read the scenes involving the 'Red Herring' boat to prepare for discussions about financial hardship and the desperation of families losing their livelihoods. A parent might see their child lashing out at school or withdrawing because they feel like no one understands their specific pain or passion.
Younger readers will focus on the 'rescue' mission of the dolphin, while older readers will pick up on the nuanced social conflict between environmental protection and the economic survival of the fishermen.
Unlike many 'animal rescue' books, this one avoids easy villains. It treats both the environmentalists and the struggling fishermen with empathy, making it a sophisticated study in community conflict.
Kara lives in a small Cornish sailing village where her father is struggling to keep their home after her mother, a marine biologist, disappeared on an expedition. Tensions are high between the local fishermen and conservationists. When Kara finds a rare white dolphin calf injured by illegal dredging nets, she teams up with Felix, a boy with cerebral palsy who is new to town. Together, they fight to save the dolphin and protect the local reef from destruction, ultimately finding a way to bridge the gap between the town's competing interests.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.