The Lost Whale

By Author / Illustrator

Hannah Gold, Levi Pinfold

Genre

Environment

Age range(s)

Publisher

HarperCollins Publishers

ISBN

9780008412944

Format

Hardback

Published

31-03-2022

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.

Video and Q&A with author Hannah Gold

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Reviews

In Hannah Gold's latest masterpiece, we meet Rio - a boy adrift in life. His mother, we infer, is struggling with her mental health and Rio is desperately trying to manage being her carer but the reality is, he's simply treading water. Rio finds himself, reluctantly, in California, miles away from London and worlds away from home. His grandma offers her love and understanding but Rio feels no connection, only resentment. The only calm that Rio can find is in the ocean and it is here that he experiences a sense of peace and connection.

It is also here that Rio meets, Marina, the girl who is to become a steadfast friend. Marina is a whale watcher and she guides Rio into an understanding of the power of the sea and the beauty and majesty of its giant inhabitants, whales. Through the ocean and with Marina's friendship, Rio discovers a sense of purpose and belonging. He also gains strength from the bond with his absent mother that the Pacific provides as he discovers that his mother had a similar fascination for whales as a young girl and that one particular whale, White Beak was her favourite. White Beak becomes the focus of Rio’s attention and when the whale disappears from the tracker, Rio makes it his mission to locate White Beak and, in doing so, to rescue his mum from the depths that she has found herself in.

As Rio's stay in California extends, he grows to learn more. More about his mother, more about the ocean and more about himself. This journey of discovery is reflected by the reader who will find out about the fragile lives of the ocean's mighty inhabitants and who will learn to empathise with a boy and his mother who are torn apart by mental illness.

Yet again, Hannah Gold has created the perfect blend of captivating narrative and poignant environmental themes. Rio is horrified to learn of the devastating impact of man's actions upon the ocean’s community and long after he book is finished, readers will be hearing its echoing messages.

320 pages / Reviewed by Jo Clarke, teacher