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Dolphin Tale: The Junior Novel
Based on the heartwarming 3-D movie premiering September 16, 2011!
When a dolphin named Winter loses her tail in a crab trap, it’s up to a young boy named Sawyer and the staff at Clearwater Marine Aquarium to help her survive against the odds. Sawyer is quiet at first, but his special connection with Winter soon brings him out of his shell. One day, after visiting his cousin at an army hospital, Sawyer gets an idea to have a doctor there make Winter a prosthetic tail.This proposal inspires the staff at the aquarium and fills Sawyer with the hope that Winter may one day swim again.
With 8-page full color insert!
When a dolphin named Winter loses her tail in a crab trap, it’s up to a young boy named Sawyer and the staff at Clearwater Marine Aquarium to help her survive against the odds. Sawyer is quiet at first, but his special connection with Winter soon brings him out of his shell. One day, after visiting his cousin at an army hospital, Sawyer gets an idea to have a doctor there make Winter a prosthetic tail.This proposal inspires the staff at the aquarium and fills Sawyer with the hope that Winter may one day swim again.
With 8-page full color insert!
144 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2011
57 people are currently reading
736 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
April 27, 2017
5 Stars
This book had gotten me into tears just like the movie did. I guess because it involves a animal and it is a true story. I loved end everything about this book for the format, to the writing, and Winter. I could not image being on of the keepers that takes cares of her and has to be in a situation where you think that she is going to die. I would lose it within minutes. To be honest I would not know what to do if I was in that situation. I really, really, really love this book.
This book had gotten me into tears just like the movie did. I guess because it involves a animal and it is a true story. I loved end everything about this book for the format, to the writing, and Winter. I could not image being on of the keepers that takes cares of her and has to be in a situation where you think that she is going to die. I would lose it within minutes. To be honest I would not know what to do if I was in that situation. I really, really, really love this book.
September 22, 2012
Dolphin tale is a book about a dolphin that is found on a beach washed up on the shore and a older man finds him and uses a kid called sawyers phone and they call animal rescue and winter the dolphin gets saved and then they have to cut off the tail and replace it with a plastic one this is a realistic story.
January 28, 2013
I loved it its so good and I loved it as I said.......... Before!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 5, 2020
"I like this Dolphin Tale book because it's so good and I like that Winter can swim even though she doesn't have a tail. And I like it because Dr. McCarthy helped Kyle with his leg after he got hurt in the army. He even tried lots of times to help Winter with her tail. We looked her up on the computer and got to see Winter and her dolphin friends and what they are doing right now on live cams. That was fun. I like Sawyer because he rescued Winter with his knife, he cut the rope that was on Winter and it saved her life. They became family - and family is forever." -Cadee, age 7
February 5, 2013
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssssssssssssoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!
esphlay the movie
esphlay the movie
February 28, 2015
It was nice and really cute. Nice story.
November 7, 2017
sawyer found a dolphin that was hurt and he tried to help any way he could
January 30, 2024
This book is very informative, but aimed towards one age range of students I feel. I like that it uses some more intense words, but still explains the,. I like that it adds a page at the end just for some fun facts. And I really like that the author included a disability, it adds diversity, which is needed in children literature!!
December 16, 2016
Dolphin tale was a wonderful book i enjoyed it i like that it has friendship and i had mixed emotions it was sad that when he found winter she was badly injured and almost died but they got a prosthetic tale and she was able to swim again i would highly recommend this book to others.
May 23, 2017
It was very boring and also quite stupid. The essay we had to write was also pointless since the book and the movie are basically the same.
July 13, 2017
Review by S.R.: "I liked it."
July 15, 2017
I love this book because it has dolphins and dolphins are my favorite animals. There are a lot of people helping dolphins in this book and I want to help dolphins too.
November 2, 2017
My daughters just love the movie and the story. Its a wake up enthusiasm. ..every morning the get up listening me read the book for them.
July 16, 2018
3 1/2 stars
September 4, 2019
dolphin tale is a great book it is just really cool that they get to swim with dolphins.
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September 18, 2019i think it will be a good book
March 12, 2021
My kids loved it. Well my youngest sat and listened but my oldest didn’t want to. The little one thoroughly enjoyed. It’s a cute book.
December 28, 2022
Two teen get involved with a dolphin who has lost his tale. With the help of scientists he regains his tale and is able to swim.
August 4, 2023
Read aloud to the kids. This was a great story. We’ve not seen the movie. The kids loved it.
November 18, 2023
Very cute book based on a true story.
Amazing what determination and teamwork can accomplish
Amazing what determination and teamwork can accomplish
September 24, 2024
I prefer it in movie form. I am not the biggest fan of junior novels based off of movies, so it may just be me!
October 9, 2025
The first book about Winter the hurt dolphin
October 5, 2018
Dolphin Tale is about a dolphin named Winter that got her tail trapped in a crap trap on the beach. A boy named Sawyer came to help Winter out and save her. Sawyer called a marine Hospital and they came to help Winter out. They brought Winter to the marine hospital. Now Sawyer comes to the marine hospital to see Winter. With a chance of a new tail for Winter she made a great recovery. With lot of bumps in her life now she might have a chance to go and swim in the ocean. Thanks to Winter great new friend Sawyer.
March 2, 2012
(I read and reviewed this book for 3rd quarter)
I read the book "Dolphin Tale." I felt that the book was really good. I feel that it delivered the message to never give up on anything. I think that this is a good message because it can mean a lot in many different ways. I think that it was an easy read and it could have been longer, but overall it was a good book. I recommend it to anyone who loves animals and is looking for a quick, easy read.
This book is about a dolphin and a boy named Sawyer. The book is also based on a movie. In the book, Sawyer is a lonely boy looking for a friend. He is on his way to summer school, when he sees some people and a big animal on the beach. Sawyer goes down to the beach to see what is going on. He sees that there is an injured animal. It is a dolphin! When helpers from a nearby marine animal hospital come to get the dolphin, Sawyer goes with them. It seems that the dolphin is only comfortable around Sawyer. Sawyer meets a girl named Hazel. She names the dolphin Winter. She says that "season names" are good luck. So, from then on, the dolphin is know as Winter. Winter's tail got chopped off by a shark trap. She can't sim normally because what is left of her tail is only a stump. Sawyer and the helpers are working with Winter to get her to swim normally. But she is having a hard time. Finally when she can manage with her stump, they realize something else. The way that Winter is moving her stump is interfering with her spine and bone structure. This is a big problem because if her spine gets messed up, she could become paralyzed and not be able to swim at all! So Sawyer comes up with the idea to have someone make winter a plastic tail. They get someone for the job, but when they try to put the tail on Winter, she refuses to keep it on. She keeps trying to tell Sawyer something, but Sawyer doesn't know what. They keep trying and trying but none of the tails work. Later in the book, they are told that someone is buying he hospital and that if they can't get Winter well, they have to give up on her. But Sawyer refuses to give up. They need more money to get the plastic tails and to be able to keep the hospital. Sawyer and Hazel come up with "Save Winter Day." They decide to raise a lot of money and try to keep the hospital open. Sawyer finally figures out that it isn't the plastic tail that is the problem, but it is the sock that Winter has on under the tail. It is very uncomfortable. So they have the person who is making the tail make them another sock too. When "Save Winter Day" comes, they have the new tail and sock, but haven't tried them on yet. They are waiting. They all raise a lot of money throughout the day. Then it comes time to try on the tail and sock. At first, Winter isn't so sure about it. But them se starts moving around and getting used to it. She like it! By the end of the book, they raise a lot of money and prove that they are worthy of keeping the hospital open. The new owner lets them stay!
I can connect to this book because I read another book called "Thunder from the Sea." This book is about people who are out sailing when a storm comes in. Then, floating in the water, they see a dog! It is just swimming. So they go over to him and put him in the boat. Then they get him all better. That is like "Dolphin Tale," because in both books an animal is saved. I think that if I were Sawyer , I would have gone down to the beach and helped too.
"
I read the book "Dolphin Tale." I felt that the book was really good. I feel that it delivered the message to never give up on anything. I think that this is a good message because it can mean a lot in many different ways. I think that it was an easy read and it could have been longer, but overall it was a good book. I recommend it to anyone who loves animals and is looking for a quick, easy read.
This book is about a dolphin and a boy named Sawyer. The book is also based on a movie. In the book, Sawyer is a lonely boy looking for a friend. He is on his way to summer school, when he sees some people and a big animal on the beach. Sawyer goes down to the beach to see what is going on. He sees that there is an injured animal. It is a dolphin! When helpers from a nearby marine animal hospital come to get the dolphin, Sawyer goes with them. It seems that the dolphin is only comfortable around Sawyer. Sawyer meets a girl named Hazel. She names the dolphin Winter. She says that "season names" are good luck. So, from then on, the dolphin is know as Winter. Winter's tail got chopped off by a shark trap. She can't sim normally because what is left of her tail is only a stump. Sawyer and the helpers are working with Winter to get her to swim normally. But she is having a hard time. Finally when she can manage with her stump, they realize something else. The way that Winter is moving her stump is interfering with her spine and bone structure. This is a big problem because if her spine gets messed up, she could become paralyzed and not be able to swim at all! So Sawyer comes up with the idea to have someone make winter a plastic tail. They get someone for the job, but when they try to put the tail on Winter, she refuses to keep it on. She keeps trying to tell Sawyer something, but Sawyer doesn't know what. They keep trying and trying but none of the tails work. Later in the book, they are told that someone is buying he hospital and that if they can't get Winter well, they have to give up on her. But Sawyer refuses to give up. They need more money to get the plastic tails and to be able to keep the hospital. Sawyer and Hazel come up with "Save Winter Day." They decide to raise a lot of money and try to keep the hospital open. Sawyer finally figures out that it isn't the plastic tail that is the problem, but it is the sock that Winter has on under the tail. It is very uncomfortable. So they have the person who is making the tail make them another sock too. When "Save Winter Day" comes, they have the new tail and sock, but haven't tried them on yet. They are waiting. They all raise a lot of money throughout the day. Then it comes time to try on the tail and sock. At first, Winter isn't so sure about it. But them se starts moving around and getting used to it. She like it! By the end of the book, they raise a lot of money and prove that they are worthy of keeping the hospital open. The new owner lets them stay!
I can connect to this book because I read another book called "Thunder from the Sea." This book is about people who are out sailing when a storm comes in. Then, floating in the water, they see a dog! It is just swimming. So they go over to him and put him in the boat. Then they get him all better. That is like "Dolphin Tale," because in both books an animal is saved. I think that if I were Sawyer , I would have gone down to the beach and helped too.
"
June 18, 2014
Dolphin Tale was an amazing book. I enjoyed the book it was very entertaining and exciting. I did not get bored reading the book. The story is adorable and I love how it is based on a true story. The author kept me hooked and reading. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes ocean animals.
In Dolphin Tale Winter the dolphin went through a lot of difficult situations. She was caught in a trap and covered in ropes. Sawyer found Winter while he was riding his bike on the beach. He called for help while he was cutting off the ropes to get her untied. She ended up having to get her tale amputated. She had to try and get a knew tale. She tried on tale after tale and she kept destroying them until Sawyer realized it is not the tale it is the rubber that make the tale stay on that rubs and causes irritation.
My least favorite part of the book was when Sawyer’s cousin went into the military and got hurt and he acted like his life was over. He shut his family out and he did not want them to see him and he would not come home. He was embarrassed and ashamed of himself even though he should be proud. He feels like a disappointment because he got hurt so quickly but by the end of the book he was finally proud to be him.
My favorite part of the book was that Winter finally got a tale that works for her. They tried so many tales for her and they were ready to give up. Then they decided to try one more time and it was the perfect tale. Winter can and the rubber does not ride on the remains of her real tale and she can swim without damaging her spine.
Dolphin Tale was a great book. I would love if they could make a continued on book about years later. I would read a sequel to this book in a minute I would make time to sit down and read the whole book. Dolphin Tale was a great book and I love how it was based off a true story and that i could actually go and see Winter in real life.
In Dolphin Tale Winter the dolphin went through a lot of difficult situations. She was caught in a trap and covered in ropes. Sawyer found Winter while he was riding his bike on the beach. He called for help while he was cutting off the ropes to get her untied. She ended up having to get her tale amputated. She had to try and get a knew tale. She tried on tale after tale and she kept destroying them until Sawyer realized it is not the tale it is the rubber that make the tale stay on that rubs and causes irritation.
My least favorite part of the book was when Sawyer’s cousin went into the military and got hurt and he acted like his life was over. He shut his family out and he did not want them to see him and he would not come home. He was embarrassed and ashamed of himself even though he should be proud. He feels like a disappointment because he got hurt so quickly but by the end of the book he was finally proud to be him.
My favorite part of the book was that Winter finally got a tale that works for her. They tried so many tales for her and they were ready to give up. Then they decided to try one more time and it was the perfect tale. Winter can and the rubber does not ride on the remains of her real tale and she can swim without damaging her spine.
Dolphin Tale was a great book. I would love if they could make a continued on book about years later. I would read a sequel to this book in a minute I would make time to sit down and read the whole book. Dolphin Tale was a great book and I love how it was based off a true story and that i could actually go and see Winter in real life.
January 30, 2017
Summary: Sawyer is eleven and his cousin/best friend is leaving to go to boot camp. Sawyer does not want him to go because he doesn’t have any friends. So after his cousin leaves Sawyer heads off to summer school when he sees a dolphin lying on the beach! The poor dolphin is stuck in a crab trap! A fisherman nearby saw the dolphin and called the Clearwater Marine Hospital Rescue-Rehab-Release. When sawyer sees the name he knows right where to go to find the dolphin again. Sawyer goes to the hospital instead of going to school the next day. Soon he finds the dolphin with the help of a girl named Hazel. They become very good friends! Hazel names the dolphin Winter. Since Winter was stuck in that crab trap she had to get her tail amputated. Soon Hazel and Sawyer go on a crazy adventure to try and save their new friend Winter! Sawyer also gets bad news about his cousin. Sawyer and Hazel have to stick together to make it through their tough times.
Cause and Effect: Two causes in this book was…
Cause: The dolphin (winter) was stuck in a crab trap Effect: Sawyer and Winter became friends
Cause: Sawyer's cousin goes to boot camp Effect: He had to get a fake leg
Like/Dislike: I really liked this book and I recommend it to everyone! It’s a very heartwarming and a true story. One of the things I most like about this book is that it talks about how you need to stick together through the hard times. Another one of my favorite things is that it talks about how great friendship is and how it helps you so much!
Cause and Effect: Two causes in this book was…
Cause: The dolphin (winter) was stuck in a crab trap Effect: Sawyer and Winter became friends
Cause: Sawyer's cousin goes to boot camp Effect: He had to get a fake leg
Like/Dislike: I really liked this book and I recommend it to everyone! It’s a very heartwarming and a true story. One of the things I most like about this book is that it talks about how you need to stick together through the hard times. Another one of my favorite things is that it talks about how great friendship is and how it helps you so much!
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February 22, 2016What I have thought of this book is it is a very interesting book let me tell you all about it. This book is about place that saves animals and takes good care of them. But one day the boy was biking around and walking around at the beach then he noticed something on the beach he walked up to it, and it was dolphin trapped in a trap. Its tale was hurt so he tried to cut it out he did and then the people came to help the dolphin that's how him and the dolphin met. But after awhile this boy was wondering about the dolphin and how it was doing so he skipped school ,and went to visit the dolphin and advatually after awhile him and hazel became good friends. He loved that dolphin the people that had the dolphin where trying so hard to keep the dolphin alive because dolphins cant swim without a tail. The dolphin was doing horrible those first couple days but anytime the boy would come by the dolphin it would be okay and listen. But everyday the boy would help out with the dolphin ,and they were trying to think of away for it to be able to swim. But after alot of research they figured out away to
April 25, 2016
In my opinion, the novel "Dolphin Tale" by Gabrielle Reyes was a wonderful book. I really liked how I wasn't bored of it and wanted to keep reading. I also enjoyed the fact that this was a true story and how it made it seem like the events were happening in the moment as I read. This is a great and very inspiring book!
Sawyer is a very indecent kid who has failed almost all of his classes and has to go to summer school instead of hanging out with his cousin Kyle everyday. To make matters worse, Kyle joins the Army and now Sawyer can't be with him after school either. One morning on the way to school Sawyer spotted a man who was starring at a dolphin on the beach. Sawyer hands the man his phone so he could get help; while he cuts the rope that was tightly wrapped around the dolphin, using a handy pocketknife given from Kyle as a gift. Overtime throughout the summer Sawyer spends all of his time at the animal hospital, helping out with Winter, his new dolphin friend.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves helping animals. I would also recommend it to anyone who likes and is interested in dolphins. This book would also be great for those who watched the movie.
Sawyer is a very indecent kid who has failed almost all of his classes and has to go to summer school instead of hanging out with his cousin Kyle everyday. To make matters worse, Kyle joins the Army and now Sawyer can't be with him after school either. One morning on the way to school Sawyer spotted a man who was starring at a dolphin on the beach. Sawyer hands the man his phone so he could get help; while he cuts the rope that was tightly wrapped around the dolphin, using a handy pocketknife given from Kyle as a gift. Overtime throughout the summer Sawyer spends all of his time at the animal hospital, helping out with Winter, his new dolphin friend.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves helping animals. I would also recommend it to anyone who likes and is interested in dolphins. This book would also be great for those who watched the movie.
September 12, 2013
Sawyer is a little boy that likes to help people and animals out. One day Sawyer was at he beach and all of a sudden he saw a dolphin that was tangled up. Animal rescue had come and had took the dolphin into the animal rescue shelter. Hazel is a little girl that likes to also help out animals and likes to take care of them. The dolphins name is a beautiful name for a dolphin which is Winter. Phoebe was a young lady that worked at animal rescue. They all helped out the dolphin which was great cause now the dolphin can swim perfectly.
I really liked this book because it was a really interesting book and from the beginning, it got so detailed and depressing and I just had to read more. I hope that there would be another book and movie about " Dolphin Tale " because it was such an amazing book! You know my dad and I like to help out other animals that are in danger and. My dog just died and I helped her out more than anything. Gabrielle Reyes did such a great job and she is a great writer.
I really liked this book because it was a really interesting book and from the beginning, it got so detailed and depressing and I just had to read more. I hope that there would be another book and movie about " Dolphin Tale " because it was such an amazing book! You know my dad and I like to help out other animals that are in danger and. My dog just died and I helped her out more than anything. Gabrielle Reyes did such a great job and she is a great writer.
January 24, 2012
This book was about a little boy who was on his way to school when he seen a dolphin washed up on the beach. He immediately ran over and tryed to help the dolphin the dolphins tail was so injured that it had to be cut of.At the same time his uncle was in the army and his leg was cut of so there was a guy who made him a fake leg so the little boy thought it would be a good idea to ask the guy who made his uncle a fake leg if he could make a dolphin tale for the dolphin.The guys said that he would try to make him one they ended up trying to make 3 in all. The dolphin broke 2 of them and the third on he kept on because they made it out of different materail.When the place where the dolphin was being kept was going to end up being closed the little boy thought of a way to make the place stay open they had a fundraiser to support the dolphin.They ended up makeing enough to keep open the place.And sadly they did not release the dolphin back into the sea but they took very good care of it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews