LoveReading4Kids Says
LoveReading4Kids Says
Rio is sent to stay with his grandmother in California whilst his Mum is hospitalised back home in the UK. Unfortunately, Rio only met his grandmother 5 years ago so knows little about her or about the area she lives in the US.
Grandmother Fran lives by the Pacific Ocean – so life becomes punctuated by the sound of the sea and waves breaking on the shore. Rio feels totally alone, away from friends and his usual surroundings. That is, until he meets Marina by chance on the harbour. Marina and her dad, Birch, live on a boat and run whale spotting trips for tourists. It is this and the finding of his Mum’s ‘treasure’ box that contains drawings of whales, and especially one who somehow seems to draw Rio in – an individual named White Beak – that helps give Rio a focus and a way back from feeling adrift.
The story is totally engrossing – once I started reading I had to read it in one go! Gold writes about animal adventures in a completely natural way, combining lots of information with a strong story line and characters which evoke our empathy. It’s a story you can literally dive into, enjoying the vicarious thrills of spotting – and along the way – saving grey whales.
As I read a proof copy I had no chance to see the illustrations from award winning illustrator Levi Pinfold – but, if the author/illustrator pairing is even half as good as Gold’s previous novel The Last Bear, then we are in for an absolute treat!
A read that appeals to anyone interested in ecological themes.
Tricia Adams
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About
The Lost Whale Synopsis
The Lost Whale is the enchanting second novel from the author of The Last Bear: the bestselling debut hardback of 2021.
What if you could communicate with a whale? Rio has been sent to live with a grandmother he barely knows in California, while his mum is in hospital back home. Alone and adrift, the only thing that makes him smile is joining his new friend Marina on her dad's whale watching trips.
That is until an incredible encounter with White Beak, a gentle giant of the sea changes everything. But when White Beak goes missing, Rio must set out on a desperate quest to find his whale and somehow save his mum. Dive into this incredible story about the connection between a boy and a whale and the bond that sets them both free.
Perfect for readers of 8+, beautifully illustrated throughout by Levi Pinfold - winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal and illustrator of Harry Potter 20th anniversary edition covers.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9780008412968 |
| Publication date: |
2nd February 2023 |
| Author: |
Hannah Gold |
| Illustrator: |
Levi Pinfold |
| Publisher: |
HarperCollins an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Pagination: |
336 pages |
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Press Reviews
Hannah Gold Press Reviews
'From the author of the bestselling The Last Bear comes another engrossing tale that blends ecological awareness with deftly plotted adventure' Waterstones, Books of the Year 2022
'The Last Bear, Hannah Gold's award-winning debut, explored the intense connection between animal and child that can help with expressing pain and anxiety - and The Lost Whale reprises that theme' Daily Mail
'A winning book from a master storyteller' Irish Independent
'Unforgettable highly accomplished animal adventure about the connection between a boy and a whale, with strong ecological themes' Fiona Noble Bookseller
'A powerful and deeply moving story' Daily Mail
'The author's passion for the natural world currently under threat makes their book outstanding' New Statesman, Best Children's Books of the Year
'Lyrical page-turner' Observer
'An irresistible, ocean-loving yarn' The Times
'Simply beautiful - tender, heartfelt and hopeful with such crystal-clear storytelling. . . Rio and White Beak's story will stay with me for a long time' Sophie Kirtley, author of The Wild Way Home
'Beautifully crafted story of hope and healing' Katie Heap, Scope for Imagination
'Magnificent! The Lost Whale will lift your heart as high as the ocean is deep' Piers Torday, author of The Last Wild
'The most spellbinding read. I raced through this book, completely engrossed in Rio and his quest to find White Beak. My book of the year so far' Nizrana Farook, author of The Girl Who Stole an Elephant
'The Lost Whale is filled with wonder, fascinating facts and a main character with a heart as a big as a whale. You won't want to miss it' Annabel Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief
Author
About Hannah Gold
Hannah Gold worked in the film and magazine industries before taking time out to pursue her dream of writing. She lives in Lincolnshire with her tortoise, her cat and her husband. The Last Bear was her middle grade debut which became an inspirational, international bestseller on release in 2021.
On winning the Best Story in the Blue Peter Book Awards 2022, Hannah said: 'When I found out I had won, I burst into tears and couldn't speak. Like many children, I grew up on a diet of Blue Peter, following the show’s adventures and falling in love with all the pets. This feels particularly apt, because whilst The Last Bear touches upon serious themes, at its core, it is a story about the love between a child and an animal. 'Some of my earliest memories are visits to the library with my mum and then scampering back home to lose myself in the pages of a book. Books aren't just about escape. For children, stories play an increasingly important role in teaching empathy, kindness and tolerance. They help shape identity, a sense of belonging and often lend courage.'
More About Hannah Gold
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A message from the author, Hannah Gold; Ever since I was in my early twenties and first saw a grey whale, these gentle giants of the sea have always fascinated me. Years later, just before the start of the pandemic, I returned to Baja, California, and spent four life-changing days on marine protected waters. There was one moment that will stay with me forever – the sight of a grey whale staring up at me from beneath the water, her gaze fixed steadfastly upon mine.
In that moment, I believed she was trying to communicate a story to me. A story of persecution to the brink of extinction, of survival against all the ways humankind seems intent on destroying the ocean, but also – and perhaps most importantly – a story of love. The kind of love that exists only between humans and wild animals and which is fuelled with the healing power of nature. It is my hope that in The Lost Whale I have captured all of this and more, and I feel very honoured to share Rio and White Beak’s adventure with you.
