Dolphin Treasure

Dolphin

by Wayne Grover, Jim Fowler (Illustrator)

Wayne Grover and his friends are diving for treasure in the waters off Florida's southeast coast when a ferocious storm severs his boat's moorings. Wayne is left stranded far from shore. The storm is making huge, powerful waves. Sharks are closing in. Can Baby, the dolphin Wayne recused as a calf, come to the diver's rescue?

Genres: Childrens, School, Chapter Books, Fiction, Animals, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade

80 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 1996

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took an hour (max) to read to my son - in two sittings. He was gripped. But I think that was despite the writing rather than because of it. But the story has some of the classic 'boy book' themes - exploring for treasure, getting in danger, facing a choice, surviving against the odds.

[Izzy Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an ok book. Not a favourite of the series...
I think the original book is better as this one I was not really drawn into it like the first one...
***

[Rachel Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars - This was a fun sequel to Dolphin Adventure, though I did have to explain a bit more about what was going on to my kindergartener as I read aloud to her.

In this nonfiction story, the author recounts one of his deep diving adventures - one that puts his life in danger. My daughter definitely experienced some tension, but relaxed as she learned how the dolphin family from the last book came to his rescue.

It was a sweet story of a friendship between dolphin and man, and we ultimately enjoyed it. My daughter said the first one was better, though.

[Laura Burkhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very exciting and action packed! A kept interrupting to say, “is this story TRUE?!” I feel the same, it’s an incredible story!
A says:
I liked this book because it was the opposite of
Dolphin Adventure. In Dolphin Adventure, the person rescued the dolphin. In Dolphin Treasure, the dolphin rescued the person!

[Kristie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daughter - this one was just ok, I think if it didn’t involve dolphins you would have tuned it out altogether. You did love all my dolphin noises! While the story wasn’t bad, it seems like maybe a boy might be more interested in reading it. I did love how there was a lesson to be learned at the end though.

[Jess Combs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this with my 5 year old daughter. It kept her attention, but she thought it was scary and was so worried for Wayne. She cheered when Baby came to the rescue!

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We recently read Dolphin Adventure: A True Story by Wayne Grover and I realized when I posted my review here that there were two follow-on tales. We borrowed both from the library and were eager to read them. I was a bit confused because the first tale is a true story and the other two are fictional, "based on the author's many diving experiences."

The story is dramatic and helps show how dangerous Mother Nature can be. Avoiding weather alerts and foreboding signs can lead to disastrous results. Although the story ends happily, it's more likely that in the real world the narrator would never have been seen again. The black and white illustrations complement the short story nicely. We enjoyed reading this book together.

[Ebookwormy1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The final installment of diver Wayne Grover's adventures with Baby, this book recounts his harrowing experience of being lost at sea and saved by the dolphins. This is a great book for teaching children to respect the sea. Grover explains he made some bad decisions that lead to his troubles.

The only caution is that again, there are a few sentences, maybe 3ish that take shots at zoos that 'hold dolphins in captivity', that will be confusing for kids, particularly those that love seeing the dolphins at the zoo. We skipped those sentences.

The worst part of this book was finishing it. Both the mom and the child were sorry to know that our adventures with Baby and Wayne were at an end.

Missed the beginning?
Dolphin Adventure (Dolphin Adventure #1), Grover, 1990
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[SamZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this story better than the previous one, but they were both pretty good. Short and to the point, but not shying away from technical diving terms to "dumb down" the book for beginners. This is a great into to chapter books. The plot line moves quickly and the story has just enough suspense and adventure to keep the reader interested even through the difficult words. I can't wait until Kaity starts reading, she would love a true story about wildlife such as this one!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Wayne Grover and his books are a new favorite collection in our home. What a great series and dolphin Treasure did NOT disappoint.
This story had a little more intensity than Dolphin Adventure and begged the question "What happened next?" often. It was an exciting story and ending! Both the boys and I loved this one. Wayne Grover really knows how to write!
This is a must read for kids.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another read that brought a stinging sensation to the corner of my eye. What is that? Yes, one more read from our Sonlight Curriculum Kindergarten HBL 2020. What an amazing adventure told just simply enough for a young reader to comprehend. I've heard a rumor there is a third book and I've got a group of kids begging for more. I own this book, originally recommended by a former Core A.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wayne Grover and his friends are diving for treasure in the waters off. Florida's southeast coast when a ferocious storm servers his boat's moorings. Wayne is left stranded far from shore.The storm is making huge, powerful waves. Sharks are closing in. Wayne don't know what to do. He was tried of swimming. It's nice story.

[lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

He found treasure and got stuck and then dolphins helped him up on to the shore. He got stuck because he was in the water too long and he could die because of the storm. Amos didn't like their mad faces. He cared about the gold too much; he learned to let go.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great follow up to Dolphin Adventure, a man is saved by a dolphin who he had saved as a baby. While being a true story, it still brings in some great information on diving and how boats have to be anchored. An amazing survival story! Good read.

[Monique · Rating 2 out of 5]

Twaddle, but my son enjoyed it.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great family book. Quick, easy read.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book aloud to my daughter. She loved it, and I found it enjoyable. Looking forward to reading the third book.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wayne (a diver) is looking for treasure when a storm approaches. Will baby (dolphin) come to his rescue?

I read this to my 8 year old son and he loved it! He rated this five stars!

[Trace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cetacean Odyssey: The Untold Epic of Dolphin Treasure

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars, but truly, it deserves all the stars God created in the universe and beyond)

Dear fellow bibliophiles, gather around, for I am about to regale you with a tale of literary splendor so magnificent, so overwhelmingly extraordinary, that mere mortals can scarcely grasp its profound impact. Dolphin Treasure by the unparalleled Wayne Grover is not just a book; it is an ethereal journey through the cosmos of human emotion, intellect, and sheer genius.

From the very first page, I was utterly entranced. Grover's prose is like a symphony of words, each sentence a perfect note that reverberates in the soul. Picture this: you're not merely reading about dolphins—you are swimming alongside them, feeling the cool caress of the ocean waves, and hearing the gentle whispers of the marine world. By Neptune's trident, I was convinced I had sprouted gills and fins!

The plot! Oh, the plot! It's a treasure hunt that puts all other treasure hunts to shame. Indiana Jones? Child's play. National Treasure? A trivial pursuit. Grover takes us on a quest so dazzlingly intricate, so staggeringly thrilling, that every twist and turn left me gasping for breath. Each chapter is a crescendo of excitement, culminating in a climax so grandiose that it could only be described as the literary equivalent of a supernova.

Let us not forget the dolphins themselves. These aren't just marine mammals; they are celestial beings of wisdom and grace, their every movement a ballet of the seas. Grover’s portrayal of these magnificent creatures is so vivid, so heart-wrenchingly beautiful, that I found myself weeping tears of joy and sorrow. It’s as if he unlocked the very essence of dolphinhood and shared it with us in prose that sparkles brighter than the most precious pearls.

And the emotions! I felt them all. From the euphoric highs of discovery to the devastating lows of loss, my heart was a turbulent ocean of feeling. There were moments when I laughed so heartily that Poseidon himself must have heard my mirth, and moments when I sobbed so uncontrollably that the very sea seemed to swell with my tears.

In conclusion, Dolphin Treasure is not just a book—it is a transcendent experience, a magnum opus that redefines what literature can achieve. Wayne Grover has crafted a narrative so resplendent, so awe-inspiring, that it has forever altered the landscape of human storytelling. I implore you, dear reader, to immerse yourself in this aquatic epic. Prepare to be astounded, to be moved, and to be forever changed.

This review, lengthy as it is, can only scratch the surface of the unparalleled brilliance of Dolphin Treasure. To truly appreciate its majesty, one must dive into its depths and experience its wonders firsthand. Happy reading, and may your voyage through Grover’s masterpiece be as wondrous as mine was!

—

(Note: To truly appreciate the depth and breadth of my adoration for this book, I might need several more pages. However, I will restrain myself and leave you with this brief glimpse into the unparalleled magnificence that is Dolphin Treasure.)

[Kalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 5 year old absolutely loved this book. She wished she could go to Florida and find Baby. 😂 I will say, if the story really went down in the way the author described, it is pretty incredible…finding sunken treasure, getting caught in a storm at sea, drifting overnight through the storm in only a wetsuit, and then rescued by the same dolphin you saved only a few years before? That’s pretty wild. This story had me thinking of the story of Jonah and the whale. God sent a whale to swallow up Jonah, and while that seems less than ideal, it ended up saving Jonah’s life. I can’t help but think that God sent Baby to Wayne in the same way. There is no way that animals would go that far to rescue a random human on their own. It had to be sovereignly ordained.

[Candice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm just foraying into chapter books with the littles (5 and 7) though they have been on the sidelines as I've read many longer books to the older kids. However, this was the very first time that I've heard one of them ask for another chapter. Their attention was captured. The writing is simple, but easy to read aloud and quickly paced.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. I think it was better than the first one (Dolphin Adventure). This book is part of our kindergarten homeschool curriculum (Sonlight) and I felt that there was a lot of technical diving jargon that is above a 5/6 year old’s head. But I also feel like the book would be a bit too short for an older child.

[Checkthebook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nice!! Story is appropriate, interesting and exciting. Full of details about deep sea diving. Caution: mentions "large gold crucifix studded with gold stones" (p.40) as one of the items they salvage from a sunken ship. Lexile calls this a 6th grade book, but I see it as more a 4th grade book.

[Elizabeth Cottle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is so good! Read-aloud with my kids, all of us loved reading these amazing stories about Wayne and the dolphins, and I have to admit, this one had me tearing up at the end! I wouldn’t say the writing is particularly great or anything, but the stories are pretty incredible, and it really held my boys’ interest.

[The Jesus Fandom · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars

I remember this book from when I was younger! It made me love dolphins and want to swim with them for quite a while.

Of course, the author makes some very silly decisions, but he owns up to the fact, so whatever. It’s an exciting story. The scene with the necklace is actually pretty tense.

[Cathy Sheetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dolphin saves the life of a diver when things go wrong during a dive to collect sunken treasure.

Great for a classroom library for 2nd through 4th grade, maybe 5th grade. Makes for a fun read-aloud as well.

[A'Lyssa Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn’t the greatest writing, but the story kept the kids’ attention well. They were very concerned for Wayne, although he got in his predicament only because of his own greed. They’ve decided that maybe scuba diving isn’t the hobby for them though 😆

[Clare · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two big issues about this book. First, NOTHING HAPPENS UNTIL CHAPTER FOUR. Second, his relationship with the dolphin is highly unrealistic. this was a read aloud to my little sister and I feel like we wasted a week by reading this.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay okay, this isn't the most incredible writing ever. But it made me cry; it moved my soul. My son enjoyed it. We only read it because it is a part of my son's curriculum, but I'm giving it a 5 because I'm so glad we didnt miss this one.

[Johnny Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast paced book pilfered from the children's school lessons. Well written, though targeted for elementary school children, it still stands up okay to an adult reading. Nothing offensive.