A Galaxy of Whales

by Heather Fawcett

A perfect summer read about whale watching and friendship both lost and found, from the author of Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries and The Islands of Elsewhere.

When Fern hears about a photo contest with a big cash award, she decides she’ll enter and win! After all, photography is her passion (and was an interest she shared with her dad, who has recently died). She knows she can take a prize-worthy photo of a whale during one of the whale-watching tours her mom runs.

But her neighbor (and nemesis), Jasper, is also planning to enter the contest. It’s another frustration for Fern while she’s already coping with the worry that her best friend, Ivy, might not want to spend time with her anymore. She’s hoping to use the prize money to buy something that will attract Ivy’s interest.

This summer story has the trials and pleasures of friendship, a rousing feud and a touch of adventure, a beautiful exploration of healing after grief, a very moving finale, and a whole lot of whale-watching fascination.

Genres: Middle Grade, Audiobook, Fiction, Contemporary, Childrens, Fantasy, Canada

175 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 28, 2024

About the author

Hello! Welcome to my page.

I'm the author of books for adults and children, including Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, Even the Darkest Stars, Ember and the Ice Dragons, The School Between Winter and Fairyland, and more.

I'm only occasionally on Goodreads, so if you want a more reliable way to get in contact with me, I'd recommend using social media (I'm on Instagram and Facebook) or the contact form on my website.

Review policy: I only review books that I love, which is why you'll only see 4 and 5 star reviews here. Because readers often ask me about my favourite books and authors, I'm aiming to use this page as a place to collect all of my recommendations.

Also, I am NOT the author of More Than a Mom: Living a Full And Balanced Life When Your Child Has Special Needs. I've asked Goodreads to remove it from my page several times but it keeps getting re-added. If you have questions about this title, please direct them to the other Heather Fawcett!

Reviews

[Elyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ended a little abruptly but otherwise a great middle grade book with some good life lessons and I really loved the whale watching and the competing companies. Loved Fern's mom. I never remembered how old Hamish was. Didn't like Ivy but that's a tween girl for you.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect children's book with several relevant topics to that age: changing friendships, maturing, and growing awareness of the world. I would say the right age group for this book is right around the age of the main character - 11 or so.

I loved that orca whales were featured in the story! As a kid, I was obsessed with orcas and firmly told everyone they were misunderstood and not as dangerous as their "killer whale" name made them seem. This book touches a little on how the Southern Resident Killer Whales are endangered, as well as how whale watching has some controversy around it due to the way it can disrupt the whales' lives. A great read for a kid interested in wildlife, orca whales specifically or not. :)

And the friendships! For a short book, ot packs a punch in how Fern feels about Ivy, her since-childhood best friend. They are getting older and Fern doesn't want to let go of the way things used to be. There was a lot of depth here, and while Fern and Ivy's relationship gets a little messy, it was a great representation of how things can change - and we can feel both happy and sad about that.

There are other themes too: namely, grief, along with briefly mentioned health issues in a young adult. Additionally, Fern learns that parental rivalries and issues do not have to spread to the children (though the parental rivalry is not a deep one; its mostly silly!). And that friends can come out of the most unexpected places!

Overall, a great summer read for younger readers!

[Kitty Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a darling kids book! I’m always on the lookout for books to recommend parents of children of social differences and I think that this is an excellent choice.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a heartwarming middle grade novel about a family who runs a whale watching boat tour and are struggling in the face of their bigger competitors. It also is a great story about friendship, loss, having a parent with chronic illness, perseverence and the plight and nature of killer whales in the wild. I loved that it was loosely based on a true story and shows how important it is to help protect whales and their environment! Good on audio and highly recommended for fans of books like Song for a whale by Lynne Kelly.

CW: MS rep (friend's parent)

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whales. That’s the review.

[Alyssa {fyrebookdragon} · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally bought this as a bedtime story for my daughter, but it didn’t catch her attention as much as mine, so I finished it myself.

A very cute story about loss, friendship, and of course Whales.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fern is facing a lot of changes. She's still grieving over her father's death, her best friend Ivy seems to be pulling away from her, and her family's whale watching business seems to be losing more and more customers to their next door neighbors' boat. When Fern hears about a kids' photography contest from Jasper, her sworn enemy (maybe) and son of the competition, she is excited. Maybe this will be just the thing to re-strengthen her relationship with Ivy. But when she learns why Jasper wants to win the prize, she is torn between helping him and giving up on Ivy.

Fern's family is quite memorable. Her older brother Hamish is obsessed with a space dragon series that Fawcett should totally write in real life. They and their mom live with their maternal grandparents who started the whale watching business and both of them are spunky elderly people who are quite perceptive. Fern's dad who died was a professional photographer, so Fern is putting all the things he taught her into winning this contest. She and Jasper hope to get pictures of a pod of Salish killer whales in the area, and Fawcett says in the back of the book part of the purpose for this book is to educate on the endangered status of Salish killer whales so lots of whale info is included and info on how whale watching can be done well (all of this is woven in very naturally). Fern's changing relationship with Ivy during their 5th grade going into 6th grade year is something a lot of kids can relate to. This was a good story and not overly sad, even though it is about a girl who is grieving and going through changes. It lacked the magical spark a lot of Fawcett's books have, though there is a touch of magical realism with a possible ghost of a possum that Fern is convinced lives in her attic bedroom. There are some events that happen that will have readers seriously considering Fern's theory to be real. Jasper's sister has MS and has had to drop out of college for her health. The book does an excellent job of showing how MS can impact someone and those who love them, while also not being super visible from the outside. The reason Jasper wants to win the contest is heartwarming, and I like how his mission draws Fern in to a friendship she never expected. Fern herself beyond facing changes is a bit of an odd duck, and we learn that she has some unusual habits and ticks she's developed that weird out some kids. She has to balance figuring out what she needs to maybe stop doing and what she shouldn't feel ashamed of; it feels very relatable to any kid who feels awkward in the tween years. And speaking of odd ducks, Jasper's family duck, Herbert, who likes to come and mooch off of Fern's family was a nice comedic touch to the story. Overall, a quick read that will likely be best in the hands of readers who like contemporary fiction with characters facing realistic and relatable problems.

Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: A bear threatens someone with harm but they end up ok.
Ethnic diversity: Mostly white American characters, but some of the neighbors are people of color.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: Fern experiences some verbal and emotional bullying. Grief after the death of a parent. Jasper is worried about his sister's health. One of the killer whales has a baby who dies (this is based off a real story). A possible friendly possum ghost.

[the tortured poets department · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5✨️ rounded up for Goodreads. This was utterly divine and made me so emotional while reading🥹❤️‍🩹 Heather Fawcett truly has a gift.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contemporary, with just the slightly smidge of magic. Incredibly cute.

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relatable and heartwarming - a reminder that it’s okay to have your head in the clouds sometimes

4.5⭐️

[Lauren Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

the story line fell flat... but this cover is legit one of my absolute favorites...

[Mephistia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love books set in the PNW. This one also deals with growing up, grief, and friendship, and it's gentle and fun and lovely.

[Rory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book unexpectedly stirred so many emotions in me! A sweet quick read with themes that apply to both young and old alike.

[Miriam]

read for a course on the translation of children's literature

the title keeps its promises, it was about whales, so of course I loved it

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m always glad when one of my favorite authors is writes both adult & middle grade well.

[Gingy L · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read, which was nice because I was a bit behind on my reading goal. I liked the mix of themes in the book, and the characters all had their distinct personalities.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Fern lives in Washington state, where her mother continues to run the whale watching business that her Granny and Gramps started forty years ago. Her older brother, Hamish, helps too, but is more invested in the book series Space Dragons than in real life. The family business, Worthwhale Tours, has always politely feuded with a rival business, Whale of Fortune, run by the neighboring Roy family. Fern has a rather contentious relationship with Jasper Roy, although they are close enough to use the Roy's family duck, Herbert, to exchange messages. Herbert is a rescue duck that Jasper's sister, Emma, brought home. Fern is worried that the business is not doing well, so after Jasper tells her about the Youth Wildlife Photography contest sponsored by one of the local papers, she decides to enter with her best friend Ivy. She and Ivy have been friends for a long time, and have bonded over several similarities, such as both having attic rooms, but also over the fact that Fern's father, who was a photographer, passed away three years ago, and Ivy's mother passed away the year before that. Now, however, Ivy seems to be more friendly with Rachel, who is not always kind to Fern. Since Ivy isn't that interested in the contest, Fern reluctantly agreed to partner with Jasper, who wants to use the $5,000 contest money to buy a telescope for Emma, who was diagnosed with MS and has had to drop out of college when the disease flared. The two are focusing on the whales that their family tours watch, and hope to get good pictures, especially when one of the whales is expecting. After Hamish's birthday party, where Fern hears Ivy tell Rachel that they USED to be friends, Fern takes her camera out to one of the islands, thinking she will destroy it. She sees a bear, falls, and is concussed, but is fortunately saved by Brian, whom the Roys have hired to help them keep up with the location of the whales pods. Will Fern be able to come to terms with her changing relationships with Ivy and Jasper, and will the family business survive?
Strengths: The Pacific Northwest setting was interesting, and I enjoyed reading about the environmental impact of whale watching, as well as the aspects of tourism that help with conservation. Fern's extended family provided a lot of warm interactions, and I particularly loved Granny and Gramps and would have loved to hear more about how they started their business. Children wanting to help out with a family business is an emerging trend in middle grade literature, and quite a timely one, as many small business are facing economic challenges. Friendship drama is a staple of the middle grade experience, so Fern's dealings with both Ivy and Jasper will add to the appeal of this title.
Weaknesses: This was a little slower paced than some middle grade. The "ghost possum", Rufus, who lives in the walls of the house and Fern "sees" out and about was a bit confusing. I don't think his inclusion makes this a fantasy title; I think he's more along the lines of an imaginary friend. (Which is how Hamish describes him.)
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who want more information on whales and enjoyed titles like Morris and Brown's Willa and the Whale, Kelly's Song for a Whale, Wilson's The Longest Whale Song, or Parry's Written in Stone.

[Black Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5☆
One important thing has to be said: I've read all of Heather's books now and that's just a sad thing for me.
I cannot express how happy I am that I've found an author I love enough to read their entire bibliography. Granted, hers is still growing and is relatively small, but I have cemented her as an all time favourite and a kindred spirit and will read anything she writes.
I loved this book SO MUCH. It was a bit on the darker end of middle grade, and I felt that at times it read as a bit older than it was, I kept forgetting the characters are 11\12. The way it handled grief, animal rights, losing friendships and so many other things, amped up the rating to a low 5 for me. Esp the animal bit, it made me tear up. I loved the duck and the whales.
Another thing, Heather confuses me to no end with how she writes relationships. Her middle grade relationships are SO well done that even if it's friendly or romance-coded I always blush and giggle at how sweet and lovely it is. That has never once happened with her YA/adult romances. I suppose it's because those are veeery prone to using cliches and she caters to an audience, which I already praised her for, I am just not that audience.
The bond between Jasper and Fern and how much different and lovely it was compared to Ivy was beautiful. Ending the book with him saying he can hear the ghost possum too was just so apt and wonderful. The entire book is her being alienated by her "friend" for being a bit different and strange and 'refusing to grow up' and then Jasper becomes her friend and likes her for it, they bond over it. They nerd out about the stars, she teaches him photography, he teaches her basketball, he doesn't belittle her for her quirks and she is a listening ear about his sister. I just thought it was extremely sweet and very lovely to read about.
Onto something far worse: the absolute cow that is Ivy.
I was a Fern when I was younger, and I remembered the pain and betrayal and hideous feeling at being betrayed by your childhood best friend in almost the same way. It kept getting worse and when Ivy tells Rachel the things that Fern hears I hoped so badly that Fern never forgives her. I knew the book wouldn't be rated as highly by me if I had to sit through a section where Ivy apologises and Fern is forced to forgive her. I did the same mistake, and went around in circles with my Ivy, and she kept being horrible behind my back until enough was enough and I told her to suck it.
That's why it made me very happy there was no HINT of that, they all just tell her it's alright, that not all things need to be fixed, and the ending is her celebrating the win with her family and Jasper.
I even have several annotations on my KOBO where i just wrote down: fuckkkk Ivy.
Rant over, I loved the book. Didn't expect to, I thought i wouldn't much enjoy Heather's contemporary novels, they still aren't quite the vibe of her fantasies, but I was wrong. I'll read everything she writes from now on, even if I hate the few duds which were handcrafted to be popular, I'll trust her indefinitely. Because there's someone sitting behind the words that i feel a deep kinship to, and that hasn't changed ONCE throughout all the novels.

[Quill (thecriticalreader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Run-Down: A Galaxy of Whales by Heather Fawcett is a quirky, feel-good middle-grade novel that addresses grief and complicated friendship dynamics.

Review:
A Galaxy of Whales has all of the ingredients for a classic middle-grade contemporary novel: a protagonist with big dreams, a quirky and lovable cast of main characters, and a coming-of-age journey. The book follows Fern, a preteen girl whose family runs a whale-watching business in the Pacific Northwest. Fern wants to pair up with her best friend, Ivy, to take a photograph of the elusive orca pod to submit for a youth photography competition: not only will this help her follow her deceased father’s footsteps as a photographer, but it will also provide her with a bonding experience with Ivy, who has recently grown distant. When Ivy fails to show interest in the contest, Fern is forced to solicit the help of her nemesis, Jasper, a neighbor boy whose family owns a competing whale-watching business.

Fawcett fills A Galaxy of Whales with a colorful cast of characters who add just the right amount of quirkiness to the novel. For instance, Fern and the neighbor boy end up communicating via “Duck Post,” in which Fern attaches written messages to the neighbor family’s wandering duck, Herbert, for Jasper to discover. These small details make the story a fun and interesting read, but Fawcett also makes sure that the story believable and explores serious themes of friendship rifts and grief.

Although the author intentionally creates an ending that does not neatly wrap up all of the protagonist’s problems—the lesson being that life doesn’t offer perfect solutions—the book still leaves too many plot threads unaddressed. Various plot points are set up earlier in the book as if they will play a large role later in the book, but they ultimately end up fading into the background. Overall, however, this should not deter anyone from picking up A Galaxy of Whales, especially if they are in the mood for a fun and heartwarming contemporary middle-grade read.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tension of the best friend dynamic changing as the two characters transition into teen years was the most interesting storyline to me. I appreciated that the relationship was left up in the air in the end because teenagers can’t promise to stay the same or always want to have a single best friend forever because they don’t know what the future will hold, except that things will change and they will need to change with it. I liked that the two characters were able to express their feelings and thoughts surrounding the conflict of their relationship but not able to find a perfect guaranteed solution; I never could at their age and many of my friendships went on or didn’t without either of us having real meaningful discussions about it. That feels more real to me than perfect happy endings when it comes to anything teenager; the brain development and hormones at that age doesn’t allow for anything to be black and white when it comes to relationships.

I also enjoyed the competing whale watching company rivalry plotline where it wasn’t acknowledged by the adults and both sides thought they were more in the right than the other. And how the kids brought the two families together because they were focused on the more important things.

And the duck was my favourite character! Duck mail was genius, especially when the duck was forced to unhappily be mail courier in exchange for what he deems his entitled grain treats. He was such a strong presence to the narrative who added comedic relief to heavier plot points.

I appreciated seeing a character who was diagnosed with MS having to adapt her life around her disease but still finding ways to participate in the parts of life that make her happy and still exist in the realm of possibility with enough help and drive. As a mother with MS, this portrayal aligned well with what I’ve seen my mother do in her life.

I also of course appreciated the reminder about whale endangerment status and how to practice tourism responsibly.

[Crystal books_inthewild · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Galaxy of Whales is a delightful middle-grade novel that blends adventure, grief, and the beauty of the natural world into a heartwarming and relatable story. Set against the stunning backdrop of British Columbia’s whale-watching pods, it follows Fern, a young girl who uses photography to honor the memory of her late father. When she learns of a photo contest with a big cash prize, Fern is determined to win by capturing the perfect shot of a whale during one of the tours her mom runs. However, her rival and neighbor, Jasper, is also vying for the same prize, adding tension to an already complicated summer.

Fern’s journey isn’t just about winning a contest. It’s about navigating the complexities of friendship, especially with her best friend Ivy, who seems to be pulling away. The novel explores the ups and downs of friendship, family dynamics, and the emotional weight of grief, all while offering moments of lighthearted fun, rivalry, and plenty of action.

The narrative also does a beautiful job of showing how people, especially friends, change over time. It resonates deeply with readers who have experienced the shifting nature of relationships, and reminding us that healing from grief can lead to new beginnings and understanding.

I loved how the novel centers around whale watching and connects it to Fern’s personal growth, with the majestic Orca whales symbolizing the healing and moving forward from loss.

A captivating and emotional exploration of friendship, healing, and finding one’s place in the world.

As Fern's Granny wisely says:
“Oh, it’s not like my friends are perfect. But at my age, people are predictable. I remember when I was eleven—some of my friends seemed to change like the weather. All of a sudden, they’d be interested in things they’d never mentioned before. A few weeks could go by, and it would be like they were different people. It’s harder to be friends with someone when who they are won’t stay still.”

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Fern wondered if endangered animals like the newborn whale knew that they were endangered, if they had some sense that the ocean wasn't as crowded as it should be. Maybe it felt like stepping outside and finding the streets deserted, the houses dark, and the playgrounds empty. She hoped not - it was too sad to think about."

A Galaxy of Whales follows Fern in her summer holiday. Her friend Ivy has just returned from camp, but is not really spending a lot of time with Fern. Further, the family's whaletouring business is not doing as well as their rivals. When Fern hears about a photography contest with a cash prize, she decides to enter it to win and save her friendship. But the rivals' son, Jasper, has also entered it.

I'm going to keep my review brief because this is a very short book, and it definitely feels on the younger side of middle-grade. I love Fawcett's books, so I will read anything that she releases, and I had quite the enjoyable time with A Galaxy of Whales.

I think that it touches upon many themes and subjects that young readers can relate to and be intrigued by. We had themes on friendship and grief, and then the majority of the book was about nature and endangered species. I loved the vivid descriptions of the sea and the islands, and I felt very inspired to go out in nature and appreciate it all more. But I also liked how it touches upon how humans can spoil the nature for animals, and what we can do to try and help.

I do wish that it had spent more time on exploring these topics, and that is why I cannot give it a higher rating for my personal enjoyment. But I am also not the target audience, and I can see this book working for a lot of young readers, so give it a go if you have a child who is interested in nature and whales.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet summertime story. I loved Fern's entire family and I extra-love her friendly local ghost possum, whose existence is not disproved in the slightest by the end. I didn't love her boring friendship/team partnership with A Boy -- YES I read the summary, but I will still complain about that story setup until the end of time, because that fact would have made me skip this book entirely if it wasn't by Heather Fawcett, and I WOULD have skipped it as a child -- but I did love that boy's incredible ACK-quacking duck, Herbert.

I also loved "Duck Post," i.e. communicating via notes tucked into his collar, for when Herbert waddles between yards. And the way that what's-his-irrelevant-name's desire to buy a telescope for his sister with progressive MS leads to Fern's grandpa showing and allowing them to use a PRET-ty cool heirloom of a real antique spyglass. Oh, and the whale tours and occasional glimpses of whales themselves, also excellent.

Lastly, props for making me full-on cry over the distance growing between her and her (former?) best friend, who has decided to be stupid and changeful and start avoiding her in pursuit of having new friends, even though she already has a lifelong BEST friend and therefore should not need any others. "But we match." NOBODY TALK TO ME.

(Side note, I would totally react the way she did, melodramatically deciding to not only immediately give up photography forever, but also (try to) throw my beloved camera into a pit of no return to solidify my loss. I am the queen of cutting off my nose to spite my face.)

[A. Ohlhauser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heather Fawcett has been catching my eye lately, so I started with this book (after reading a sample from the first Emily Wilde book, which I would have read first instead if it didn't have a 25-week waiting list on Libby!).

This was a cute, creative story with a solid, not-too-preachy environmental message. It also explores themes of friendship and identity in attractive ways for middle grade readers. I especially liked Fern's relationship with her mother, brother, and grandparents, who were all encouraging in a believable way. It was nice to see a supportive family represented when so many young readers' books are full of the nobody-understand-me angst.

I found the main characters could have been fleshed out a LITTLE more — they just didn't feel real to me, and therefore didn't pull at my heartstrings as much as I would have liked. But Fawcett does a good job of presenting Fern's preteen oddities (friendship with a possum ghost, hair mascara to represent her mood, etc.) without making her weird and annoying in a not-like-other-girls way. Fern is charming, and it's not until you hear other characters talking about her that you as the reader are like, "Huh. I guess she is a little weird."

There were a few parts that were left unexplained/unexplored that I would have liked to see more of, especially the bear on the island (did it really happen?), and what was actually scratching around Fern's room and eating the cookie crumbs (was Rufus really just an imaginary friend?). But overall, Fern's imagination and feelings are relatable, and she's a cute character.

Also, the focus on wildlife is beautiful!

[Kathryn Alice]

I dont think I should give this a star rating since I'm very much not the target audience. But I will list my issues with this book.
The main character has a possesive friendship and never learns her lesson or learns to express her feelings properly.
The friend is kind of a b**** and never learns to express her feelings correctly which seems to be implied that she either blames the MC for her mothers death or she doesnt want to be around another kid with a dead parent? She does state that she wants some things to be just hers. Either way it seems like they both have issues to work through and they never really do. The MC just finds a new friend that the other girl seems to be jealous of while still being a B and ditching her for someone that talks about the MC behind her back.
Again, none of this is resolved.
Theres an incident with a possible bear and supposed ghost opossum that is never explained.
The author seems to be pushing for some kind of lesson in respectfulness to wildlife but it feels overshadowed by the friend drama.
If i had a middlegrade kid or knew one to buy books for, I dont think this would be one I'd give.

I read this purely for a challenge to read something with stars or fireworks on the cover hoped it would be more magical, it was disappointing.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so great to get into some middle grade again, I really liked this book.

The setting was vivid and matched what I knew about the habitat of the Southern Residents orca pod (I am obsessed with orcas - I am an adult lol). I did hope that the whales would feature more prominently in a book where they're on the cover and in the title, but they played enough of a role where I don't feel too cheated.

This story, as you might intuitively glean just from looking at it, is largely about coping with grief and change. I felt that both of these topics were handled well, and I got pretty emotional a couple times during the story (didn't quite cry, but I got a little choked up).

The friendship elements of the story were done extremely well, although I do kind of wish that Fern had been better at communicating how hurt she was by her best friend right to her face, even through the end of the book.

I felt that the ending could've used more on-page resolution, but I'm satisfied with it.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to younger and older readers looking for a cozy winter book to read by the sea or the fire!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

In A GALAXY OF WHALES, Fern faces a summer of challenges and changes. Her family’s whale watching business is struggling and her best friend Ivy seems to be drifting away. In hopes of making Ivy jealous, amateur photographer Fern decides to team up with Jasper, her neighbor and the son of another whale watching company in competition with her family, to win a newspaper’s photography contest. The duo decides to capture a photograph of the pod of orcas in the water near their home. As they collaborate on the competition, their friendship changes.

Fern’s awkwardness is endearing as the book provides a realistic portrayal of the changing dynamics that are common in middle school friendships. Fern’s family includes a delightful assortment of characters who support Fern as they all continue to adjust to the recent loss of Fern’s father. With the characters’ pursuit of the perfect whale photo for the competition, the book also incorporates themes of environmental stewardship and conservation in an organic way.

[Mrs.MakesReadingFun · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Galaxy of Whales an engaging middle-grade novel that combines adventure, grief, and personal growth. Set in the stunning landscape of British Columbia Canada, it follows Fern, a young girl using photography to cope with the loss of her father. When she enters a photo contest with a cash prize, Fern hopes capturing the perfect shot of a whale will help her heal and win the competition.

This story goes beyond the contest, exploring the complexities of friendship as Fern navigates changes with her best friend Ivy and deals with the emotional weight of grief. The novel beautifully captures the shifting nature of relationships- especially in those pre-teen years- making it highly relatable for students facing similar challenges.

For readers who love heartwarming, realistic-fiction, this one touches on themes of loss, friendship, and resilience. A perfect read for middle-grade students, this book offers both emotional depth and a hopeful message about growing through difficult times. Also great for animal lovers, especially marine animals and Orca Whales.

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure where this book was headed- but i was pleasantly surprised by where it went!

This was a solid friendship book for middle school. The kids are at that point where they start to make new friends and lose others, or at least rearrange from #1 best friend to maybe we just wave now. This happens to everyone, but you never think it’s going to be you and your bestie.

While the death of a parent hangs over the book, it doesn’t overwhelm it in the sense that this is not a book about grief or coping, but the medical issues are eye opening (MS in someone so young isn’t unheard of- but the early diagnosis is a bit devastating). I am envious of the sibling relationships in this book. Teasing, helpful, a united front. #jealous

I loved the inclusion of the ghost animal- and I love how the mystical nature of nature (lol) saved everything in the end (her, her camera, her ghost, and her family business!)

Solid middle school book for 5th -8th grade, but I’d say 6th-7th is the sweet spot. For fans of books about nature, friendships, making the best of it.

[Kay S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an interesting mix of childhood fantasy, small town magic, environmentalism, and the realities of changing as you grow up. I"m kind of a neutral party on this one: Fawcett usually leans more into the fantastical and I went in expecting that. The everyday magic of coastal Canada and the nature of the uninhabited islands on the coasts is meaningful and inspiring enough to make people want to travel to see it.

The story of changing friendships, values, maturity, etc. as kids grow is an important thing to put into words and this book does a really good job of showing it from both sides. Fearne's development from antagonistic towards her neighbours to friends and partners in the photo contest foils well with Ivy's development from best friend to popular kid to bully.

It was good but maybe not something I'm going to remember reading for long.