Singing Home the Whale

by Mandy Hager

An extraordinary story, from an award-winning New Zealand author, of how the arrival of a baby orca whale threatens to tear apart a small fishing community and forever changes the life of the boy who first finds it.

Will Jackson is hiding out, a city boy reluctantly staying with his uncle in small-town New Zealand. After he discovers a young abandoned orca, his life is further thrown into chaos when he rallies to help protect it against hostile locals.

The boy and the whale develop a special bond, linked by Will’s love of singing. With echoes of the classic book and film The Whale Rider, this is a strong, exciting and beautifully written story and a compelling exploration of many global concerns.

Genres: Young Adult, Family, Animals, Realistic Fiction, Mental Health, Fantasy, Teen

352 pages, Paperback

First published September 5, 2014

About the author

Mandy Hager is a multi-award winning writer of fiction, most often for young adults. She has won the LIANZA Book Awards for Young Adult fiction 3 times (‘Smashed’ 2008, ‘The Nature of Ash’ 2013, ‘Dear Vincent’ 2014), the NZ Post Children’s Book Awards for YA fiction (‘The Crossing’ 2010), an Honour Award in the 1996 AIM Children’s Book Awards (‘Tom’s Story’), Golden Wings Excellence Award (‘Juno Lucina,’ 2002), Golden Wings Award (‘Run For The Trees’, 2003) and Five Notable Book Awards.
She has also been awarded the 2012 Beatson Fellowship, the 2014 Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship and the 2015 Waikato University Writer in Residence.
In 2015 her novel ‘Singing Home the Whale’ was awarded the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year award, and the Best Young Adult fiction Award from the NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. It has also been named a 2016 IBBY Honour Book, an international award. Her historical novel for adults, titled ‘Heloise’, was long-listed for the Ockham Book Awards.
She is a trained teacher, with an Advanced Diploma in Fine Arts (Whitireia) and an MA in Creative Writing for Victoria University. She also writes adult fiction, short stories, non-fiction, educational resources, blogs and articles, and currently tutors the Novel Course for Whitireia’s Creative Writing Programme.

Reviews

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to wait a while before writing a little review of this book, I was far too messy with sobbing and sniffing. I have done little else but read this book the last two days and I'm a) upset that it ended and b) the ending made me cry like crazy. A beautifully written story set in the Marlborough sounds, a story of a teenage boy who has been sent to live with his slightly dour but kind uncle while he patches himself up from a traumatic experience of the nasty You Tube type. Will is one of those boys who isn't interested in your run of the mill stuff, he loves opera and cooking and he can sing, sing like an angel. To counteract this he has pierced himself all over and is going for a goth look, ways to make yourself not fit in when you are in a very small town. He is befriended by a baby Orca whale who is also lonely, isolated and away from his family. It sounds unlikely but it works so very well. This is not going to go down well with the fisheries inspector, the salmon farmer and a large number of other villagers. This book has a strong message about the environment, it has much to say about protecting the oceans, about looking after nature so that it looks after us. It has smatterings of Te Rao through the book and the Maori myths of the sea are in there too. Domestic violence, bullying, the quest for independence and a bunch of other issues are covered but overall it is, like all Mandy Hager's books, a book with a huge heart, that's why I love her writing so much, she gives you the big feels!

The book has gorgeous art all through it, a lovely lovely cover. I can't wait to get it catalogued and set it free amongst the students. It has a gentle touch, which I completely loved but those seeking action from page one will need to be patient, once the action kicks in it holds tight and won't let you put it down. Highly recommended for secondary students.

Huge thanks to Random House for sending me a copy of this great book!

[Lemurkat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderfully lyrical tale from one of New Zealand's most skilled and under-rated Young Adult authors.

Last year, Mandy Hagar captured my emotions with the powerful story of a teenage girl battling grief and depression, with the outstanding "Dear Vincent". This year she brings us this beautiful tale of a friendship between two different species, courage, loyalty and determination.

Will Jackson does not feel he fits in to the tiny community in the Marlborough Sounds. He is a city youth, hiding out from a brutal attack and the public humiliation of a YouTube video gone viral. Things change for him when a juvenile orca makes his way into the Sounds. Drawn to Will's fine singing voice, he and the young dolphin strike up a friendship unlike any other, a friendship that transcends the borders of species. But not all are as thrilled by the prospect. The local salmon farmer, a cruel and vindictive man, resents the intrusion and will do anything to protect his captive stock.

The chapters are skillfully interwoven between two narrators - Will and the orca, named Min. Each chapter is heralded with a page of absolutely gorgeous lineart. Min's voice is lyrical, melodious, rich in evocative language and charming use of wordplay and prose. Will's story is a little more straighforward in prose, a young man with a strong heart that has been, if not broken, then badly dented. Hagar captures the voice of the youth superbly as she takes him on this journey of friendship, dedication and personal growth.

This is definitely one of the stand-out novels I have read this year, for both its beautiful, rich language and the deep emotional - but never sentimental - power behind the adversity, the tragedy and the triumph. Very few books have struck a chord in my heart like this one has.

Five stars does not really feel like enough!

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of love and loss, fear and courage, friendship and family, and glorious music. As Will, a boy damaged by bullies both real and cyber, and Min an orphaned baby Orca help each other to heal with their growing friendship and need for each other, the local community divides into those who want to help them and those who wish to harm them. Beautifully written and masterfully told, I recommend this book to everyone!

[Adele Broadbent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic novel by kiwi author Mandy Hager. Should scoop the NZ Book Awards this year....

A story set in a small seaside fishing town of NZ. A young teen is staying with his uncle, in hiding from a You Tube shaming after appearing on a talent quest where things go wrong. He is a talented opera singer, and one day when singing on the seashore faw away from anyone else, he sees a young whale - who sings back.
An unlikely bond begins between boy and whale - but who is saving who?
A beautifully produced book with illustrations from the author's daughter and a beautiful story that will make you cheer, make you angry and make you cry.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that brings tears to my eyes in the first few pages is rare, and I was tempted to leave it there and prevent any more risk of heartbreak, but it's such a beautiful read I couldn't put it down. It's a very NZ story and a very human story, even with one of it's main characters, Min, being an orca. Will is a great character, broken and alone like Min, drawn together by song and loneliness, and healed by connection to their whanau. Fabulous book.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how Mandy Hager was able to portray realistic teenagers in all their complexity, a rural community struggling with economic and ecological issues, as well as the heavier issues of family violence and alcoholism. A lovely counterpoint was the delightful orca, Min. A great story, beautifully written.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think if I'd read this when I was between the ages of 11-15 I would have loved this book! I loved animals and the movie Free Willy (which this book reminded me of). But as an adult reader it was only ok (and I realise I'm not the target audience).

Would highly recommend for young teenagers, particularly if they're keen on animals.

[MissStan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most beautiful story about a connection between a boy and a baby orca. The boy, Will, has escaped his old life after a YouTube incident and is living in a small seaside town when he encounters a lone baby orca he names Min. There are a number of issues raised in the book, it hits on so many important topics. The chapters alternate between the story and Min’s beautiful, poetic take on things. He speaks in a song like fashion, the alliteration and imagery is so beautiful. I cried tears of sadness and joy along the way. Highly recommended.

[Irena · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

[Kaila Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

on the whole, i liked it. I thought that Hager characterised Will well with a uniquely New Zealand sounding voice and I liked the environmental focus it had. Also pretty great that tikanga Māori (e.g. pōwhiri) are normalised in it and not only portrayed in a respectful way but also beautifully described. I did find some bits a little cringey - e.g. Will dating Pania even though they're second cousins, some of the prose from the whale's perspective which was meant to be whimsical and lyrical and wise sounding but didn't always hit the mark for me. I thought Will's voice came through authentically though and I liked Hager's exploration of his trust issues and mental health.

[Harvey Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the finest NZ young adult novels I've read in a while.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treasure of a book. The characters, story and setting quickly swept me up. I loved the shared narrative between Will and the orca he rescues, Min. Mandy Hager gives both narratives a very distinct voice. Will's story is told with straight forward language and Min's is richly ornate with poetic devices, like a song.

Will has moved to a small coastal town to live with his uncle where he seeks to avoid attention while he recovers from a traumatizing public humiliation via social media and a brutal beating that has left him struggling with anxiety and PTSD. His healing comes slowly when he crosses paths with a lost baby orca in desperate need of love and protection. Will's special gift of singing draws Min the orca and binds them together. Their fates become beautifully intertwined.

One of the great joys of the story is seeing the tentative first steps of friendship growing between Will and Hunter and Pania. It explores issues of trust, vulnerability and brokenness and learning to open your heart after it has been damaged. They unite in their fight to protect Min from Hunter's ruthless and abusive father who owns the local salmon farm.

This story has it all: adventure, excitement, poetry, heartbreak, joy, friendship, wonder and a powerful message about our duty to the environment. It brought me to tears several times both grief and joy. The last quarter cracked my heart wide open.

[Doug Leveridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever and very well written, this is the story of Will, a troubled Wellington teen with a talent for singing opera, and an orhaned baby Orca called Min who's been separated from his pod after his mother is killed by illegal whalers. Eack chaptes alternates between telling Will's story and the Orca's.
Most of the book follows their interaction with locals in a small rural town in Marlborough Sounds, largely centred around salmon farming. Antagonism between Will, some of the townspeople, and particularly the farms' owner Bruce, comes to a head in a gripping finale as Will, his cousin Pania and Bruce's son Hunter decide to reunite the orca with its pod, before Bruce carries out his threat to cause it more harm. Strong characterisations, and highly original, a good read for secondary age kids (some language and adult themes, with relevant violence thrown into the mix).

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few tears escaped my eyes at the end. Beautifully written. Your work with Mal Peet really stands out. I am so lucky to have been there when you told me of the dream you'd just had that became the inception of this wonderful work. 2013 was a hard year for many reasons, but I'm glad you have reaped the fruit of that turgid time. I sit at my desk looking out to the lake, roughed up by the prevailing wind, and I feel the call of the ocean that I miss...

[Annabel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't think I hate a book more than this, a one star review is generous, Lightlark is better than this. All of the characters are soooooooooo annoying and I just hate it so much. This book and ms monty go hand in hand which is why I hate it so much because that women is so ridiculous like this book

[Tui Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful lyrical story about music teens and a whale. This author is one of NZ's best writers for teens. This story brings its marine environment to life until you can feel the salt wind on your face.

[Rebeka · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been in a reading slump for past few weeks and I picked two completely different books, hoping one of them will get me out of it. Unfurtunatelly I really struggled with this one. I'm not saying it's not a good book, because it is, but maybe it wasn't the right time for me to read it.
Even though the book isn't very long it took me ages to finish it. It was too slow paced and I felt like I'm not making any progress, the story isn't moving forward, even though it was.
The conversations felt forced and immature, like the words characters used were the ones I would say maybe preteens use. I had to keep reminding me that Will was 17 years old.
Also there was very little emphasis on the romance, which I didn't mind but... Let me say it like that, through all the book there were only indications that Will and Pania like each other. Their interactions were kind of awkward and innocent, it was like reading about a teen who is in love for the first time, all shy and has no idea how to talk to a girl. But then at the end of the book it's clear that they have sex. Which I have no problem with, I mean they are 18 or so, but it felt wrong. Like it's not that kind of a book, even though there was no desciption of an actual sex. Okay, I don't know if any of that made sense.
I really liked the ending tho. It was very moving and I had watery eyes. All in all the message of the story is very touching. So, good job on that Mandy.

[Chloe]

I would buy this book as a gift for someone because I felt that it was a very beautiful and touching story about the bond between humans and animals. Will Jackson is a teenager who has just moved from Wellington to live with his uncle in a small town in NZ. He moved because of being bullied over a viral youtube clip of him. In his new town by the beach, he meets a baby orca whale who is alone. Will protects the Orca from the angry people in his town. Will’s relationship with the orca is extraordinary, as soon as the two meet Will has a bond with the orca: “He swallowed back a sob. It was the most extraordinary thing, to offer such a wild creature comfort- and to feel, oddly, like the orca gave it back.” I think animals are often misjudged and human-animal relationships can be very pure when approached the right way. I believe that the author wrote this book to talk about this because some people do not value the authentic relationship that we can have with animals All it takes is patience and empathy to build a respectful relationship with pets/animals and Will shows us this in Singing Home the Whale. The people that do not value animals tend to be greedy and do not realize that the earth is just as much the animals home as it is ours. The importance of human-animal relationships in society is that animals provide comfort, lower stress and teach valuable lessons on care and respect.

[Zar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a 3.5 so I rounded up. This was a lovely New Zealand book, and I enjoyed reading it.
The dual perspectives were unexpected, and although at times interesting as the book went on I began to skim over Min's POV. At times I also really struggled with Will as a character, which made it sometimes hard to motivate myself to continue reading.
((Also unsure on the relatives to love plot))
However, it was well written - love to read books with Maori culture and NZ small towns so fluidly incorporated and will def seek out more of Mandy Hager's books.

[Livia Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. While some of it was a bit over-wrought to an adult's perspective (aiming, I'm sure, to please teen readers, who often feel much more fiercely about things), and the ending wasn't as nicely wrapped as I would've liked, the cultural cornerstones of Kiwi life and experiences were so comforting and cosy (when not uncomfortable and unpleasant) that I was pulled in much more than I'd expected I would be. Very glad to have picked it up, sincerely hope to recommend it to young and old people alike in my life.

[Isla Ludgate · Rating 1 out of 5]

no one should ever read this book. if you see it you should burn it. it goes for sooooooooo long and literally nothing even happens. the most dramatic part is when mins mum dies and that's on the second page. and flipping will is so annoying like LITERALLY NO ONE CARES also bruh why did pania and will date that's so creepy their literally cousins. #interbred anyway longest and most totrurest book of my life if anyone chooses to read this out of their own will just choose happiness and peace over this book trust me

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will is a boy who used to live in the city but then moved to live with his uncle in a fishing town when an embarrassing video of him got posted on YouTube. When an orphaned baby orca swims up to him one day, the bond through singing. But when the lead fisherman doesn't want something, he gets what he wants.

[Floccinouci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in 2020 after a book club recommendation. Lyrical writing, which I loved. One could almost hear the actual singing.
Written from two points of view, which I don’t always love but which in this case was ok, and which could easily attract younger (or more energetic 😉) readers, who are the intended audience. It’s good to have another author to recommend in this area.

[☆Dd☆ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst Fucking worst book ever. It is so bad, I cannot stress this enough. Had to read to for english beginning of the year. I'd rather shoot myself then reread this. Its really weird too... 2 couples that are related. 2nd cousins dating. They're dating. A character even says its ok...... its weird. And the whale preservatives, UGHHH.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent read and is suitable for both young adults and adults. It very sensitively deals with so many important issues.

[Grace Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

so good. Amazing story line and great characters.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not something I would usually pick but I can say that I REALLY enjoyed it!!!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peak New Zealand small town feat a baby whale to rescue and a dickhead to sock in the face.

[The Bibliognost Bampot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and quite different story. Hard subject matter in a lot of places. Nice touch having parts narrated by the orca.

[Jeanine · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable YA read - facing fears with true courage, harnessing the power and poetry of kinship, both on land and in the ocean.