What do you think?
Rate this book
Water Sky: An Alaskan Adventure About Identity, First Love, and Indigenous Traditions for Kids
‘A beautifully written book that addresses the issues of conservation and cultural heritage." (School Library Journal) "A novel imbued with understanding and respect for the rich traditions of Eskimo life." (BCCB) When Lincoln made the long trip from Massachusetts to Barrow, Alaska, the sole purpose was to find his uncle Jack. He thought Vincent Ologak, an Eskimo whaling captain, could tell him where to find him, for Vincent was the man Uncle Jack had planned to see when he went to Alaska to help save the bowhead whale from extinction. But Vincent cannot or will not give Lincoln a straight answer. As far as he is concerned, Lincoln is there for a very different purpose from the one he himself A whale is coming to Lincoln, a whale that will end two years of waiting and suffering for Vincent's people. Nothing in Lincoln's past experience quite prepares him for the whaling camp at Barrow. Here ice is a living presence and the temperature is so cold that spilled water hits the ground as ice balls. Here for the first time he meets young Eskimos-especially Unpik, with whom he falls deeply in lovewhose strong identification with their Eskimo culture leads Lincoln to question his own identity. But above all else it is Vincent Ologak's vision of him that teaches Lincoln more than he has ever learned anywhere before Life in today's New England hasn't prepared Lincoln for the ways of an Alaskan whaling camp. But it's there that he draws strength from an Eskimo captain's vision of him and his connection with Nukik, the whale that gives itself to Lincoln and the people of Barrow. Jean Craighead George blends masterfully observed nature scenes and a wry story of first love in one of her most appealing and moving novels. Jean Craighead George was the author of many beloved and award-winning books, including Julie of the Wolves and My Side of the Mountain.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
12 people are currently reading
343 people want to read
About the author
Jean Craighead George
204 books1,505 followersJean Craighead George wrote over eighty popular books for young adults, including the Newbery Medal-winning Julie of the Wolves and the Newbery Honor book My Side of the Mountain. Most of her books deal with topics related to the environment and the natural world. While she mostly wrote children's fiction, she also wrote at least two guides to cooking with wild foods, and an autobiography, Journey Inward.
The mother of three children, (Twig C. George, Craig, and T. Luke George) Jean George was a grandmother who joyfully read to her grandchildren since the time they were born. Over the years Jean George kept one hundred and seventy-three pets, not including dogs and cats, in her home in Chappaqua, New York. "Most of these wild animals depart in autumn when the sun changes their behaviour and they feel the urge to migrate or go off alone. While they are with us, however, they become characters in my books, articles, and stories."
The mother of three children, (Twig C. George, Craig, and T. Luke George) Jean George was a grandmother who joyfully read to her grandchildren since the time they were born. Over the years Jean George kept one hundred and seventy-three pets, not including dogs and cats, in her home in Chappaqua, New York. "Most of these wild animals depart in autumn when the sun changes their behaviour and they feel the urge to migrate or go off alone. While they are with us, however, they become characters in my books, articles, and stories."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 28, 2019
I LOVED this book! It is set in my hometown and it was A MAZING to read Inupiat words and to read a book based in the setting I grew up in, dealing with real issues of our town. (I believe the International Whaling Commission recently granted a big win to Alaskan whalers. This was in the spring of 2019.) FYI this book was published somewhere around 8-10 years after the Inupiat alphabet had been first written. Most locals might not have known how to spell the newly-written language. I believe the Inupiat words are spelled out according to the English language, which most readers would not notice. Thank you to Jean Craighead George for writing a book I can relate to being from Barrow, Alaska! PS Could this also be considered science fiction?
September 13, 2024
Lincoln Noah visits Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost town in all of the United States. He stays with some friends of his father, the Ologak family. The head of the family, Vincent Ologak, is the captain of a whaling team who camp out on the ice. They have a quota of only a few whales that they are legally allowed to hunt each year. Lincoln's uncle came to Barrow years ago to protest against the whales being hunted, but Lincoln hasn't heard from him in a long time. Lincoln is hoping to find out what happened to his uncle, but no one will talk about him. Lincoln joins the Ologak whaling team and finds out why whaling is so central to the Iñupiat culture.
I loved learning about the Iñupiat culture and language and traditions in this book! The whole book is centered around respecting and preserving this unique culture, and it was absolutely beautiful to learn about all of it through the eyes of Lincoln Noah. There is a glossary of Iñupiat words and phrases at the back of the book, but most of the time, the phrases are translated right there in the narrative too.
Lincoln has a very open mind, ready to learn about these new friends he has met. He listens, he carefully observes, he considers and mimics. He doesn't try to force his own ideas or his own values onto others. He notices the little details of daily life on the ice. He notices the reactions of the people around him, and adjusts his own behavior accordingly. He is respectful and patient and curious. He quickly earns the respect and admiration of each person he meets.
But still, there is a lot of conflict for Lincoln, and he doesn't quite fit in with his new friends. There are people at the whaling camp who are bitter and angry, and they take it out on Lincoln. He responds with patience and compassion, but also with strength and resolve that does not allow any foolish aggression to find its mark.
Then there are the whales! The beautiful bowhead whales seem to call to Lincoln in a special way. We learn about their migratory habits, their young, what they eat, and how they survive in the rivers and lakes between the shifting ice. There is a kind of mysticism around the relationship between the Iñupiat and the whales they hunt, and Lincoln begins to see that you have to respect nature and listen to what the wind and the sky tell you if you want to understand whales and be worthy of hunting them.
Lincoln learns a great deal, grows as a person, and embraces the Iñupiat culture, but ultimately he has to decide within himself what kind of person he wants to be. When he is forced to make the difficult decisions, he has to figure out what his core values really are, and whether or not they align with the same values of his Iñupiat friends.
I loved the thoughtful writing style and the beautiful Iñupiat culture! I loved the character development and the mystic whales. Such a compelling story!
I loved learning about the Iñupiat culture and language and traditions in this book! The whole book is centered around respecting and preserving this unique culture, and it was absolutely beautiful to learn about all of it through the eyes of Lincoln Noah. There is a glossary of Iñupiat words and phrases at the back of the book, but most of the time, the phrases are translated right there in the narrative too.
Lincoln has a very open mind, ready to learn about these new friends he has met. He listens, he carefully observes, he considers and mimics. He doesn't try to force his own ideas or his own values onto others. He notices the little details of daily life on the ice. He notices the reactions of the people around him, and adjusts his own behavior accordingly. He is respectful and patient and curious. He quickly earns the respect and admiration of each person he meets.
But still, there is a lot of conflict for Lincoln, and he doesn't quite fit in with his new friends. There are people at the whaling camp who are bitter and angry, and they take it out on Lincoln. He responds with patience and compassion, but also with strength and resolve that does not allow any foolish aggression to find its mark.
Then there are the whales! The beautiful bowhead whales seem to call to Lincoln in a special way. We learn about their migratory habits, their young, what they eat, and how they survive in the rivers and lakes between the shifting ice. There is a kind of mysticism around the relationship between the Iñupiat and the whales they hunt, and Lincoln begins to see that you have to respect nature and listen to what the wind and the sky tell you if you want to understand whales and be worthy of hunting them.
Lincoln learns a great deal, grows as a person, and embraces the Iñupiat culture, but ultimately he has to decide within himself what kind of person he wants to be. When he is forced to make the difficult decisions, he has to figure out what his core values really are, and whether or not they align with the same values of his Iñupiat friends.
I loved the thoughtful writing style and the beautiful Iñupiat culture! I loved the character development and the mystic whales. Such a compelling story!
February 4, 2013
I really liked the book, however, the ending left was wrapped up so that I felt un-satisfied with the answers and conclusions. Felt not only rushed but
oddly concluded. I didn't feel that the writer shared much depth about what he learned in the closing. Overall, it was a great story and well-written.
oddly concluded. I didn't feel that the writer shared much depth about what he learned in the closing. Overall, it was a great story and well-written.
July 24, 2023
"Water sky, " he said. "Good cloud. It tells the Eskimo where the leads are. Leads are open water. They are rivers in the sea ice. Leads open and close. They are very dangerous. Only brave men camp near them. Very brave men. You'll be camping near a lead...Up the leads, "he said as though he had not heard, "come the great, huge, beautiful bowhead whales."
"For two years the people of Barrow have not gotten a whale. We have suffered. We have not been able to share. The Eskimo has survived by sharing. It is our first commandment--the religion before the Christians came. Sharing is born within us as the tusks are born in the walrus. We cannot share chicken and hamburgers with all the people. It takes a whale to share."
This beautiful coming of age story is set in the wilds of Barrow, Alaska, and it addresses the important issues of conservation, cultural heritage, preserving and honouring wildlife. Written with such esteem for the Eskimo traditions, giving voice and reverence to the Eskimo way of life, this youth novel will draw you in from the first atmospheric page. Lincoln arrives in Barrow in search of his Uncle Jack, he hopes with the help of an Eskimo whaling captain, Vincent, he can find his uncle. His Uncle Jack's Alaskan mission was to save the bowhead whales from extinction. However, the whale means life and salvation to Eskimo people who have been waiting and suffering for two years for a whale to come, share itself and feed their village. Lincoln came to find his uncle, but what he found was so much more. He starts to question his past, his identity and his own Eskimo heritage.
The Eskimo people of Barrow believe a whale named Nukik is going to give himself to Lincoln and save their people. This novel depicts the sacredness and the true meaning of sharing and community.
I read this book with my sons, we were all completely captivated by its depth, so moving and inspiring, rich in history and full of homage to the people and a place that has now became dear and real to us all through the reading of this profond story.
"For two years the people of Barrow have not gotten a whale. We have suffered. We have not been able to share. The Eskimo has survived by sharing. It is our first commandment--the religion before the Christians came. Sharing is born within us as the tusks are born in the walrus. We cannot share chicken and hamburgers with all the people. It takes a whale to share."
This beautiful coming of age story is set in the wilds of Barrow, Alaska, and it addresses the important issues of conservation, cultural heritage, preserving and honouring wildlife. Written with such esteem for the Eskimo traditions, giving voice and reverence to the Eskimo way of life, this youth novel will draw you in from the first atmospheric page. Lincoln arrives in Barrow in search of his Uncle Jack, he hopes with the help of an Eskimo whaling captain, Vincent, he can find his uncle. His Uncle Jack's Alaskan mission was to save the bowhead whales from extinction. However, the whale means life and salvation to Eskimo people who have been waiting and suffering for two years for a whale to come, share itself and feed their village. Lincoln came to find his uncle, but what he found was so much more. He starts to question his past, his identity and his own Eskimo heritage.
The Eskimo people of Barrow believe a whale named Nukik is going to give himself to Lincoln and save their people. This novel depicts the sacredness and the true meaning of sharing and community.
I read this book with my sons, we were all completely captivated by its depth, so moving and inspiring, rich in history and full of homage to the people and a place that has now became dear and real to us all through the reading of this profond story.
April 9, 2020
Great book about life in Alaska out on the pack ice. There was a budding relationship but nothing that sent up and red flags for me.
May 25, 2022
I love this author. I really do. But.
WHY. THIS WAS SO BAD.
WHY. THIS WAS SO BAD.
August 2, 2025
Teen goes to live with current day Eskimo. Learns a lot of their traditions and customs while trying to fit in.
November 8, 2017
An oddly confusing and contradictory story at times (people had strange emotional reactions and things were left hanging or unexplained) and I did not like the ending. I found it annoying that the story used the full names for the characters over and over again, Vincent Ologak and Lincoln Noah Stonewright. It didn't help matters that the audiobook sounded like it was read for students to read along with it. The narrator inserted pauses of up to three seconds between sentences. I only persisted because of the setting in an Alaskan village and the discussion of Eskimo heritage.
April 19, 2021
Jean Craighead George used to be one of my favorite authors as a child, so when I encountered this book on my bookshelf (that I apparently bought and never read?), I decided to give it a try.
And it really hurts me to say, but this book. . . was just all right.
What I liked about it—
- It's apparently YA. As most of Jean Craighead George's books are middle-grade, this was a pleasant change. Her style matched the "older feel" that this story was giving me.
- Her knowledge of the Eskimos, and how she delved into the culture and life of the people was really interesting. I ended up walking away with more understanding of their ways.
- The descriptions of the Alaskan surroundings were really well-written and scenic.
- I could sympathize a bit with the main character, especially with his feelings of not belonging.
What I didn't like about it—
- I never really felt connected to the characters, especially the main one. I feel like a lot of them were just flat, and I wasn't affected at all by their deaths. There was a lot of dialogue and description, but not a lot of description, and because of that, I didn't get to see who the characters were INSIDE.
- The ending. Like, what was up with that? It mainly felt disconnected, unfinished, and failed to give a big emotional impact.
- The whole story, plot-wise, was very slow. It felt like descriptions of people doing things, the wilderness, and then with a bit of stilted dialogue thrown in.
All that to say, I wish I could have ended up enjoying this book, but as it's a little-known work from this author, I know she has better ones out there.
Overall, if you'd like to learn more about the Eskimo people and their culture, I recommend this read. But if you're reading this for the story, I'd recommend finding another of her works.
And it really hurts me to say, but this book. . . was just all right.
What I liked about it—
- It's apparently YA. As most of Jean Craighead George's books are middle-grade, this was a pleasant change. Her style matched the "older feel" that this story was giving me.
- Her knowledge of the Eskimos, and how she delved into the culture and life of the people was really interesting. I ended up walking away with more understanding of their ways.
- The descriptions of the Alaskan surroundings were really well-written and scenic.
- I could sympathize a bit with the main character, especially with his feelings of not belonging.
What I didn't like about it—
- I never really felt connected to the characters, especially the main one. I feel like a lot of them were just flat, and I wasn't affected at all by their deaths. There was a lot of dialogue and description, but not a lot of description, and because of that, I didn't get to see who the characters were INSIDE.
- The ending. Like, what was up with that? It mainly felt disconnected, unfinished, and failed to give a big emotional impact.
- The whole story, plot-wise, was very slow. It felt like descriptions of people doing things, the wilderness, and then with a bit of stilted dialogue thrown in.
All that to say, I wish I could have ended up enjoying this book, but as it's a little-known work from this author, I know she has better ones out there.
Overall, if you'd like to learn more about the Eskimo people and their culture, I recommend this read. But if you're reading this for the story, I'd recommend finding another of her works.
February 28, 2024
I just finished reading this book aloud to my kids-- such a good choice! It was so fun as a read aloud and they got into the story so much they were begging me to read more each time. I Love this author-- Julie of the Wolves and its sequels helped shape me as a child and beyond. I recently had the honor of meeting Jean Craighead George's daughter at WhaleFest in Sitka, Alaska. I gave her a big hug and tried to explain how much appreciation and respect I have for her mother, who through her books inspired in me courage, curiosity, wisdom, kindness, clear vision and a thirst for adventure, along with further stimulating my love of nature and of reading!
I have visited Barrow and could tell that the descriptions of the setting and its people came from deep experience with the place and culture. This book is an ethnography of the Inupiat of Barrow of the time of writing the same way Moby Dick is an ethnography based on Herman Melville's experiences whaling and interviewing whalers in 1840s New Bedford.
I loved, loved, loved this book. Except for the last few pages... which were disappointing.
I have visited Barrow and could tell that the descriptions of the setting and its people came from deep experience with the place and culture. This book is an ethnography of the Inupiat of Barrow of the time of writing the same way Moby Dick is an ethnography based on Herman Melville's experiences whaling and interviewing whalers in 1840s New Bedford.
I loved, loved, loved this book. Except for the last few pages... which were disappointing.
July 22, 2019
Lincoln Noah Stonewright is a young boy who has been close to his Uncle Jack all his young life. He vanished from his life and he doesn't know what happened to him. He knows that he is somewhere in the Arctic of Alaska. His father sends him to the Eskimo people, as he himself had done as a boy. He is to be trained and learn from the Eskimo about the whaling. He is to learn about the sacred ways of the Iñupiat people. While he does so, he learns so much more than he ever believed he would.
This book was great to read to my sons, and in the back of the book, it helps you understand how to pronounce the Iñupiat words. It also teaches them to respect and reserve the cultural ways of those who are not wasteful as typical whalers. I think my sons liked it a lot. I am glad I read it to them. It wasn't my favorite book, but it was fun.
This book was great to read to my sons, and in the back of the book, it helps you understand how to pronounce the Iñupiat words. It also teaches them to respect and reserve the cultural ways of those who are not wasteful as typical whalers. I think my sons liked it a lot. I am glad I read it to them. It wasn't my favorite book, but it was fun.
January 1, 2023
from goodreads site:
Lincoln still could not believe it. He had had only one thing in mind when he made the long trip from Massachusetts to Barrow, Alaska, and that was to find his Uncle Jack. He thought Vincent Ologak, an Eskimo whaling captain, could tell him where to find him, for Vincent was the man Uncle Jack had planned to see when he went to Alaska to help save the bowhead whale from extinction. But Vincent Ologak cannot or will not give Lincoln a straight answer. As far as he is concerned, Lincoln is there for a very different purpose from the one he himself imagines: A whale is coming to Lincoln, a whale that will end two years of waiting and suffering for Vincent's people.
Nothing in Lincoln's past experience quite prepares him for the whaling camp at Barrow. Here ice is a living presence and the temperature is so cold that spilled water hits the ground as ice balls. Here for the first time he meets young Eskimos-especially Unpik, with whom he falls deeply in love whose strong identification with their Eskimo culture leads Lincoln to question his own identity. But above all else it is Vincent Ologak's vision of him that teaches Lincoln more than he has ever learned anywhere before
Lincoln still could not believe it. He had had only one thing in mind when he made the long trip from Massachusetts to Barrow, Alaska, and that was to find his Uncle Jack. He thought Vincent Ologak, an Eskimo whaling captain, could tell him where to find him, for Vincent was the man Uncle Jack had planned to see when he went to Alaska to help save the bowhead whale from extinction. But Vincent Ologak cannot or will not give Lincoln a straight answer. As far as he is concerned, Lincoln is there for a very different purpose from the one he himself imagines: A whale is coming to Lincoln, a whale that will end two years of waiting and suffering for Vincent's people.
Nothing in Lincoln's past experience quite prepares him for the whaling camp at Barrow. Here ice is a living presence and the temperature is so cold that spilled water hits the ground as ice balls. Here for the first time he meets young Eskimos-especially Unpik, with whom he falls deeply in love whose strong identification with their Eskimo culture leads Lincoln to question his own identity. But above all else it is Vincent Ologak's vision of him that teaches Lincoln more than he has ever learned anywhere before
March 10, 2018
Noah goes to an Eskimo whaling camp and fits right in but then he doesn't.
I couldn't get into this book. I didn't understand why the characters behaved the way they did. The situation didn't seem realistic. There was a weird mix of sticking to ancient tradition with modern conveniences randomly sprinkled in.
I couldn't get into this book. I didn't understand why the characters behaved the way they did. The situation didn't seem realistic. There was a weird mix of sticking to ancient tradition with modern conveniences randomly sprinkled in.
May 26, 2021
I noticed some reviewers didn’t like the ending, but that was my favorite part. The fact that the cross-cultural tension wasn’t completely resolved and the main character/outside ends up with less understanding but a greater awareness of his lack of knowledge rang more true to me than a tidy resolution.
May 15, 2018
Excellent book by one of my favorite authors. I recommend this book to everyone ages 11+.
June 11, 2018
the end is very anti climactic and is strange. overall, I was very confused with this book
January 17, 2019
I now have a better understanding of the daily lives of the Inuit, and their dependence on and reverence for the creatures that live in the far north with them.
April 18, 2019
I enjoyed learning more about the culture of the Eskimo people and their ties to the whale
November 28, 2019
This would be great for a book club, so much discussion I want to have!
April 5, 2021
Quick and interesting. A little suspense!
May 25, 2021
yup it great and it so amazing could go on about it for years
August 23, 2021
Not the best but it was still very interesting
December 22, 2021
A reread for me. Love this story that takes place in Alaska. Learned so much about local culture. Level F.
February 21, 2022
Loved this book so much. It was a really nice story.
December 12, 2022
It wasn’t the greatest ending, but overall it was an interesting book
May 5, 2024
S2V2L2
August 21, 2024
Good book for boys
September 16, 2025
The story was very slow and felt disjointed and like stuff was just being rattled off to you, but that it didn't fit into a greater story.
February 24, 2014
What a great book! I love reading well written books that are educational. It is very interesting to find out how the Alaskan Eskimos treated the whales. Many Americans thought the whales were being mistreated by the Eskimos when really they acted towards the whales as if they were one with them and not killing them until near death. So the American society after sending in two people to investigate the whale hunting, realised what an important part of their lives wales really were and how well the eskimos treated them. There was still a law placed saying that a certain amount of whales could be killed each year. The fine for exceeding the stated amount results in a fine of up to 10,000! I read this as part of my school curriculum and thought it was a well spent read.
October 2, 2015
Water Sky is an interesting look at the Eskimo/Inuit culture, through the eyes of an outsider. At the end of the school year, Lincoln is sent to Point Barrow, Alaska to find an old friend of his father’s, Vincent Ologak. When he arrives, he learns that Vincent is the captain of a whaling crew camped out on the ice at the edge of the Arctic Ocean, trying to get a whale for Barrow town. Because his adored Uncle Jack has come to Barrow to stop the whaling, Lincoln has very mixed feelings about this. However, he quickly becomes part of the whaling crew as he is thrown into life on the ice.
Read my full review here.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews