The Forever Whale

by Sarah Lean

A powerful, extraordinary story from the bestselling author of ‘A Dog Called Homeless’.

A secret from the deep...
Hannah's granddad loves telling stories from his past, but there's one that he can't remember ... one that Hannah knows is important.
When a whale appears off the coast, clues to Grandad's secret begin to surface. Hannah is determined to solve the mystery and, as she gets closer to the truth, Grandad's story is more extraordinary than she ever imagined.

Genres: Childrens, Animals, Contemporary, Middle Grade

272 pages, Paperback

First published July 4, 2013

About the author

My fascination with animals began when I was aged 8 and a stray cat walked in the back door and decided to adopt me. As a child, I wanted to be a writer and used to dictate stories to my mother, but eventually I bought a laptop and decided I could type them myself. I live in Dorset and share the space around my desk with two dogs, Harry and Coco. MA in Creative and Critical Writing from University of Winchester.

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I read Flowers for Algernon and now this? I wasn't expecting such a stark, honest and brutal reminder of fading memory. Hannah's grandfather has Alzheimer's, and it only causes degeneration of the man who was her whole world. But he tells her to remember August the 18th, and a whale and Hannah goes on a stunning chase through the seaside to find what he means.

In short, memory fades but love should be a constant reminder of what really matters.

I'll review this in full. Swear on me grandma's ashes. Damn, this book really made me miss my Granny and her kind, gentle smile.

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 4 out of 5]

June 2023 wrap up.
Review coming up.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a great story about a little girl trying to save her Grandad's past and it led her to something amazing.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet quick story, i got through it very quickly and it was easy to imagine. I thought it was predictable in places and a little rushed sometimes such as the Jodie and Adam saga and it kind of skimmed over Hannah’s relationship with her parents. But overall a sweet book about familial relationships.

[Di Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written book about the special relationship between a girl and her Grandad who ends up in a care home with Alzheimer's disease. Before he has a stroke and ends up in the care home he wants her to remember a date, and she thinks it has something to do with a whale. So the book is really about her journey to try and make him remember her, and what he was going to tell her on that date.

I read this book to my girls, they found it a little upsetting as it was their first exposure to Alzheimer's and it's affect on a person and the people they know. Even my husband had difficulty listening to me read the book. Thankfully it had a satisfying ending!

[Jennie K · Rating 4 out of 5]

read this with my 11 year old granddaughter Kitty who loved it as did I ,appeals on all levels .Kitty knows several people with alcheimers and this book helped her understanding of the associated problems

[Andy Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

really good book that sensitively deals with the subject of dementia in a way children will understand and appreciate

well researched and sensitively written good job from the author

[Destiny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book, although written for younger ages I quite enjoyed it. I would defiantly recommend to anyone and everyone. It captivated me and it was truly magical.

[Molly Tysle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet and simple story. This story is more about Granddad suffering Alzheimer's than that of a whale. By the end I did feel emotional, that is why instead of two stars, I gave it three.

[becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this with my cousin (again) and now I'm hating this book because a)my cousin started being obsessed with whales b)she's trying to make a whale out of a clay dough, and I have to help her when I'm trying to read my book quietly. And c)my cousin thinks I should read her books all the time.
I don't mind baby sitting my cousin, since she started enjoying books. But 'The Forever Whale' wasn't a book that touched my heart. I liked reading child books to my cousin since when I read it, it makes me go back to my childhood life...but this was just basically about whales that I think I will never love sea animals again.
Overall, if I HAVE to read it (and if someone says they'll make me lemon tea), I'll consider reading it again...

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a wholesome yet simple book, I completely forgot I had this book and picked it up to read it again.
The overall story is good, it focuses on the relationship of a 10 year old (?) and her grandad.

I connected with this book because of my granny going through the same experiences and it really hurts me but it made me enjoy the book that little bottle more.

[Diane Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice story about a ten year old who is trying to connect with her grandfather who has Alzheimers. A helpful insight for those children who might have relatives in the same boat (pun intended). A boat features strongly in the story.

[Lia_R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book. It was my favourite for the longest time. Everyone I've recommended it to has loved it. This book is so sweet. It caused me to feel so many emotions, which was actually really cool.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well written novel that I'm sure I would've liked when I was younger. It combines adventure with emotions and philosophical questions, in a way that can be understood by kids.

[Ash Menzies · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lovely message behind this book but the author has made it very hard to understand at times.

[Courtney Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story. For a children's book this book is packed full of emotion. Well done Sarah Lean

[Alessandro · Rating 5 out of 5]

good

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[Naomi]

it was good

[Sheila Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely novel and surprisingly emotional

[Hannah Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book over and over as a little girl and forgot how much I loved it

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Sarah Lean's books. She really gets into the feelings of the main character.

This time with Hannah's grandfather getting increasingly incapable through Alzheimer's she is trying to work out why he wanted her to remember a certain date and why he talked about a whale? The answers may be found on the island in the bay that her sister is volunteering on for the summer.

With the day he mentioned approaching fast she must find help in the strangest of places and from unusual people. Her parents aren't too happy about what she is doing either.. A heart warming tale about a young girl's love for her grandfather and her determination to do what she can to make him better.

It will strike a chord with many children who have to cope with loved ones going through the same tragic condition.

[Sarah (blissbubbley) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is yet another beautiful book by Sarah Lean, this one deals with a very sensitive issue but in a way that still brings hope and also shows the love between a family at such times. Having lost someone close to me with Alzheimer’s this made me cry a lot but more because it’s such a shattering disease and even adults struggle to explain it let alone a child having to see someone they love go through it.

This is beautifully handled by Sarah Lean and I will be sure to look out for more books from her.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for an animal story for my November Chatterbooks session, as we hadn't had one for a while. I know Sarah Lean is a popular writer of animal stories, and I love whales, so this seemed ideal.
In fact the whale does not make much of an appearance in the story until the end, although it is central to the plot.
Even though it was not what I was initially looking for, I will still be using this with my group. It was an engaging story. I can identify with Hannah, as my father-in-law has Alzheimer's.
I'm eager to know what my group will make of it.

[Oznasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book that will give a child (particularly a girl aged from about 9 to 12) an understanding of alzheimers then this is a great book—four stars. However, if you are attracted to this book because of the title and the cover and you are fascinated by whales, perhaps you will be disappointed. The book itself is not the problem but perhaps the title and the cover were chosen by the publisher to help sell the book.

[leayah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title was a tiny let down, but still, the determination that the granddaughter was showing in attempt to get her grandad's memory made me feel warm, since it seems like the relationship between the two was strong.

[Pam Butterfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

enjoyed this book .good luck with your writing will watch out for your books won it from goodreads

[Jackie Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely story!
Very sad, existing, gripping, funny & most of all enjoying.
I would read it if you haven't already you will love it.

[Carolina Edvinsson · Rating 1 out of 5]

My review in swedish ---> Romeoandjuliet

[KillerFrost]

It's such brilliant book I could read it again.When you read it it feels like your in the book ( thats what I thought anyway)