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Whale Fall
A debut middle grade novel in the tradition of Black Beauty and The One and Only Ivan, in which a young orca who dreams of becoming the matriarch of her pod instead finds herself living a life in captivity.
Just like her grandmother, Whale dreams of becoming the matriarch and storyteller of her own pod one day. But her dream becomes a nightmare when she is captured by the Two-Legs as a youngling and is taken to a sea pen far from her home. At first, angry and scared, Whale can only think of escaping and finding her way back to her family. She even tries to trick the Two-Legs she calls Red who feeds her to lift the rope wall that keeps her a prisoner. Instead, Red tries to befriend her. Whale wants to resist him, but she’s bored and lonely for her pod and despite herself, starts to look forward to his daily visits.
Just when Whale gets used to life with Red and even comes to count on his sing-song laughter—becoming friends after all—Whale is ripped away from the pen she’s known as home for more than a year. She’s taken on a long painful journey to an aquarium and made to perform. It’s grueling work and hard on Whale’s body, but if she doesn’t perform, she doesn’t eat.
Her only solace is her adopted whale family. She still misses her own pod terribly and tries not to give up hope of seeing them again, but it’s nice to have Elsa, Gaia, Cleo and Katya to talk to and to grieve with in the face of the mistreatment they endure from their trainer. She spends years in the tank with the others telling stories of their old lives, still hoping to return to them and trying to find joy in the here and now. But as Whale grows older, her lungs begin to fail. Finally, she is too sick to perform. When the sling reaches into the tank to take her away from the aquarium—away from the family she’s loved—Whale thinks of the promise of Whale Fall where the Great Mother would at last reunite her with her family—her body becoming one with the ocean. She’d done her best. When she couldn’t escape, she survived and tried to be happy. It was time to rest.
But after another long difficult journey, it’s not Great Mother Whale meets, but an old friend, with a sing-song laugh and red hair who’s finally, in his way, set her free.
A deeply moving story of family, determination and hope as a majestic creature weathers the storms of a life in captivity, Whale Fall is a must read.
Just like her grandmother, Whale dreams of becoming the matriarch and storyteller of her own pod one day. But her dream becomes a nightmare when she is captured by the Two-Legs as a youngling and is taken to a sea pen far from her home. At first, angry and scared, Whale can only think of escaping and finding her way back to her family. She even tries to trick the Two-Legs she calls Red who feeds her to lift the rope wall that keeps her a prisoner. Instead, Red tries to befriend her. Whale wants to resist him, but she’s bored and lonely for her pod and despite herself, starts to look forward to his daily visits.
Just when Whale gets used to life with Red and even comes to count on his sing-song laughter—becoming friends after all—Whale is ripped away from the pen she’s known as home for more than a year. She’s taken on a long painful journey to an aquarium and made to perform. It’s grueling work and hard on Whale’s body, but if she doesn’t perform, she doesn’t eat.
Her only solace is her adopted whale family. She still misses her own pod terribly and tries not to give up hope of seeing them again, but it’s nice to have Elsa, Gaia, Cleo and Katya to talk to and to grieve with in the face of the mistreatment they endure from their trainer. She spends years in the tank with the others telling stories of their old lives, still hoping to return to them and trying to find joy in the here and now. But as Whale grows older, her lungs begin to fail. Finally, she is too sick to perform. When the sling reaches into the tank to take her away from the aquarium—away from the family she’s loved—Whale thinks of the promise of Whale Fall where the Great Mother would at last reunite her with her family—her body becoming one with the ocean. She’d done her best. When she couldn’t escape, she survived and tried to be happy. It was time to rest.
But after another long difficult journey, it’s not Great Mother Whale meets, but an old friend, with a sing-song laugh and red hair who’s finally, in his way, set her free.
A deeply moving story of family, determination and hope as a majestic creature weathers the storms of a life in captivity, Whale Fall is a must read.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published September 15, 2026
About the author
Elysia Rourke
2 books23 followersElysia Rourke lives in Almonte, Ontario with her husband, two sons, and dog. She has a weakness for London Fogs, Christmas morning, and a salty ocean breeze. Whale Fall is her debut novel. Her writing can be found at ElysiaRourke.com.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 3, 2026
Spellbinding and heart-wrenching.
Whale Fall is the hauntingly eloquent tale of an orca born free but made to live her life in captivity, performing for humans a.k.a. two legs. Our protagonist, Whale, lives an idyllic life in the ocean but, curiousity gets the better of her and she is captured, sending her life in a completely new trajectory. Her understanding of the world, the stories that shaped her reality, no longer apply and she must learn to deal with the two legs and the tricks they insist she perform. Meeting other orcas, she comes to accept her new life but never stops hoping for release, and shares the stories her grandmother told her with her tank mates who, born in captivity, have no concept of the ocean and it’s majesty. In time, she helps them learn to create their own stories that reflect their own experiences and life with humans. While the two-legs are clearly the villains of the story, there is nuance to this as Whale meets more humans and finds kinship with some of them. The ending is both believable and hopeful, leaving a sense that things can be changed and we two-legs can create a better world for the animals in our care.
It is very sad at times and I may have cried briefly. But I would highly recommend this, and it would make a wonderful choice for a junior book club or class discussion about conservation and animal rights.
Many thanks to the fine folk at Penguin Random House for gifting me a final published copy to review.
Whale Fall is the hauntingly eloquent tale of an orca born free but made to live her life in captivity, performing for humans a.k.a. two legs. Our protagonist, Whale, lives an idyllic life in the ocean but, curiousity gets the better of her and she is captured, sending her life in a completely new trajectory. Her understanding of the world, the stories that shaped her reality, no longer apply and she must learn to deal with the two legs and the tricks they insist she perform. Meeting other orcas, she comes to accept her new life but never stops hoping for release, and shares the stories her grandmother told her with her tank mates who, born in captivity, have no concept of the ocean and it’s majesty. In time, she helps them learn to create their own stories that reflect their own experiences and life with humans. While the two-legs are clearly the villains of the story, there is nuance to this as Whale meets more humans and finds kinship with some of them. The ending is both believable and hopeful, leaving a sense that things can be changed and we two-legs can create a better world for the animals in our care.
It is very sad at times and I may have cried briefly. But I would highly recommend this, and it would make a wonderful choice for a junior book club or class discussion about conservation and animal rights.
Many thanks to the fine folk at Penguin Random House for gifting me a final published copy to review.
September 17, 2026
This was a moving, at times heartbreaking, middle grade novel about a young whale who gets stolen away form her pod and forced to live in an aquarium in captivity. Lonely, she's has babies only to have to watch them be taken away and always, longs for a life of freedom. Great on audio and perfect for fans of the movie Black fish and Free Willy and books like One and only Ivan and Black Beauty. Highly recommended!
October 3, 2026
I couldn't put this book down once I started it. It is a middle grade book, but like Black Beauty not just for middle grade. I often thought "What age is this? How is this a children's book?" It is heartbreaking. It is real. It is raw. There is hope, heartbreak, heartache, longing. It is so well written. The pacing was really good. The story telling just drew me in. Are some parts predictable? Yes. Of course Whale gets captured, but her story is captivating, her journey is one that grips you. There is strength in how she loves and lives.
I refuse to go to shows with animals like this anymore and have for years. This gut wrenching story will help readers of all ages see through a lens of empathy and compassion. Especially with World Animal Day on October 4th.
Grab some tissues.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Description:
A debut novel in the tradition of Black Beauty and The One and Only Ivan, in which a young orca who dreams of becoming the matriarch of her pod instead finds herself living a life in captivity.
“Heartbreaking, but unputdownable. Read with a box of tissues. Whale’s story doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of animals in captivity, but it is a testament to the power of faith, storytelling, and hope.”—Shakirah Bourne, author of Josephine Against the Sea and Here Lies A Ghost“
Whale, a young orca, dreams of becoming the matriarch and storyteller of her own pod one day, just like her grandmother. But her dream becomes a nightmare when she is captured by the Two-Legs and taken to a sea pen far from her ocean home. At first, angry and scared, Whale can only think of escape and finding her way back to her family. But as the months wear on, and Whale becomes restless and lonely, she finds herself befriending her keeper, Red, named for his bright red fur. Whale starts to look forward to their daily feeding rituals and playtime as they learn to communicate. As time goes on, she even counts on Red’s singsong laughter to fill her day.
But just as Whale gets used to life with Red, she is ripped away from the sea pen she’s lived in for more than a year. She’s taken on a long, painful journey in a container to somewhere new—the suffocating waters of an aquarium. Whale is given a name—Ingrid—and along with whales who don’t speak her language, she is made to perform. The grueling work is hard on Whale’s body, but if she doesn’t perform, she doesn’t eat.
Whale’s only solace is the memories of her pod and her grandmother’s stories of Great Mother and how whales came to be. Whale longs for the promise of Whale Fall, where the Great Mother will at last reunite her with her family—her body becoming one with the ocean. But also she tries to find joy in the here and now and in the comfort of her adopted pod. And, before rest, there is still one unexpected dream that will come true for Whale.
A deeply moving story of family, determination, and hope as a majestic creature weathers the storms of a life in captivity.
I received this egalley from Penguin Young Readers was under no obligation to give a review. All opinions are my own.
I refuse to go to shows with animals like this anymore and have for years. This gut wrenching story will help readers of all ages see through a lens of empathy and compassion. Especially with World Animal Day on October 4th.
Grab some tissues.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Description:
A debut novel in the tradition of Black Beauty and The One and Only Ivan, in which a young orca who dreams of becoming the matriarch of her pod instead finds herself living a life in captivity.
“Heartbreaking, but unputdownable. Read with a box of tissues. Whale’s story doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of animals in captivity, but it is a testament to the power of faith, storytelling, and hope.”—Shakirah Bourne, author of Josephine Against the Sea and Here Lies A Ghost“
Whale, a young orca, dreams of becoming the matriarch and storyteller of her own pod one day, just like her grandmother. But her dream becomes a nightmare when she is captured by the Two-Legs and taken to a sea pen far from her ocean home. At first, angry and scared, Whale can only think of escape and finding her way back to her family. But as the months wear on, and Whale becomes restless and lonely, she finds herself befriending her keeper, Red, named for his bright red fur. Whale starts to look forward to their daily feeding rituals and playtime as they learn to communicate. As time goes on, she even counts on Red’s singsong laughter to fill her day.
But just as Whale gets used to life with Red, she is ripped away from the sea pen she’s lived in for more than a year. She’s taken on a long, painful journey in a container to somewhere new—the suffocating waters of an aquarium. Whale is given a name—Ingrid—and along with whales who don’t speak her language, she is made to perform. The grueling work is hard on Whale’s body, but if she doesn’t perform, she doesn’t eat.
Whale’s only solace is the memories of her pod and her grandmother’s stories of Great Mother and how whales came to be. Whale longs for the promise of Whale Fall, where the Great Mother will at last reunite her with her family—her body becoming one with the ocean. But also she tries to find joy in the here and now and in the comfort of her adopted pod. And, before rest, there is still one unexpected dream that will come true for Whale.
A deeply moving story of family, determination, and hope as a majestic creature weathers the storms of a life in captivity.
I received this egalley from Penguin Young Readers was under no obligation to give a review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
When I was a young reader, I would choose my books according to how they looked. I chose a book because it was a hardcover - it always made me feel older — or it was shiny in colour, bright with visual intrigue or thick with pages of promise. I rarely read the description on the back. I simply picked up the pretty book, pulled back the cover, and read from page one. This made reading a treasure hunt. It meant that I was always surprised by what I found. And, on occasion, I would discover a gem. A gem that I could not put down. A gem that had me hooked on every page and left me mulling over its contents for days. A gem that entertained me but also guided me, taught me, and left me better for having read it. Whale Fall, Elysia Rourke’s debut middle-school novel, is such a gem. Offered as an advanced readers' copy, it came to my attention quite by accident. Yet it held all the token signs of a book I would have chosen on any one of my bookshelf treasure hunts. Whale Fall’s moody cover features an orca on the move, making promises of adventure, drama and depth. And in that promise, Elysia Rourke entirely delivers.
From the first page, we adventure alongside Whale, a young, sharp, inquisitive orca who loves her whale life with all of her whale pod. We play in her ocean world as she swims alongside Grandmother, plays with Brother and travels to the Scratching Place. We learn of her desire to become the matriarch and storyteller for her family. For a time, we experience the joys of her ocean life, first-hand, just as she does. That is, until the Two-legs arrive in the rusted fish and abruptly snatch Whale from her beloved ocean family, throwing us, without warning, into the dark chapters of her story. Scared, angry and confused, Whale begins a new life in the foreign, isolated tanks of captivity where she is exploited, abused and manipulated into a shadow of herself. This is where we, as her reader friends, stand witness to the horror and reality of whale captivity. This is where we are forced to look closely at our own behaviour and question it. Challenge it. Change it so that we can do and be better.
Does Whale survive captivity? Does she ever see her family again? Does she become the matriarch and storyteller she always dreamed of becoming? To know, you have to read. And I promise you, just as the cover of this book promised me — just as Elysia Rourke delivered on every single page of Whale Fall — a heart-pounding, page-turning, provocative read. A compassionate, raw, tender and painfully truthful story about an Orca’s life in captivity, Whale Fall is a treasure sure to champion your must-read-again bookshelf for years to come.
From the first page, we adventure alongside Whale, a young, sharp, inquisitive orca who loves her whale life with all of her whale pod. We play in her ocean world as she swims alongside Grandmother, plays with Brother and travels to the Scratching Place. We learn of her desire to become the matriarch and storyteller for her family. For a time, we experience the joys of her ocean life, first-hand, just as she does. That is, until the Two-legs arrive in the rusted fish and abruptly snatch Whale from her beloved ocean family, throwing us, without warning, into the dark chapters of her story. Scared, angry and confused, Whale begins a new life in the foreign, isolated tanks of captivity where she is exploited, abused and manipulated into a shadow of herself. This is where we, as her reader friends, stand witness to the horror and reality of whale captivity. This is where we are forced to look closely at our own behaviour and question it. Challenge it. Change it so that we can do and be better.
Does Whale survive captivity? Does she ever see her family again? Does she become the matriarch and storyteller she always dreamed of becoming? To know, you have to read. And I promise you, just as the cover of this book promised me — just as Elysia Rourke delivered on every single page of Whale Fall — a heart-pounding, page-turning, provocative read. A compassionate, raw, tender and painfully truthful story about an Orca’s life in captivity, Whale Fall is a treasure sure to champion your must-read-again bookshelf for years to come.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book as an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Oh my goodness, this story. A few things to know about me - growing up I was obsessed with marine life, specifically whales and sharks. I was that little girl who slept with a stuffed Shamu and shark, not a teddy bear. I aspired to be a dolphin trainer at SeaWorld and thought maybe I would be the person to figure out how to communicate with cetaceans. Fast-forward a few decades, and while I am none of those things, I did have cool opportunities when I volunteered at a local aquarium and saw how much the husbandry staff loves the animals. I share all of this because I have very complex feelings towards having animals in human care in zoos and aquariums.
Whale Fall is pitched as a middle grade novel that follows the story of Whale, a salmon-eating orca living in the Puget Sound area who gets captured when she is 5 years old, and then lives in human care at SeaWorld-like facilities. We see her in the ocean with her pod, learning the lore of Mother Earth, and going to the Itching Spot. We see her in a sea pen with Red, who feels like the only Two-Leg that Whale truly feels connected to. We see her in her first aquarium, where Pup trains her to perform in a show, where there are dominance battles with other existing females, and a new male who shows up for breeding purposes. We see her in another aquarium, with two whales who are born in human care, and how vastly different they are from ocean-born whales.
I ended up devouring this book in a matter of two days. Elysia Rourke does such an amazing job at anthropomorphizing Whale, that she reads as a highly relatable character, yet also not human. The writing is tight and clean. Whale's vocabulary for things in the world is creative. She has a true adventure and a very trauma-filled life. I don't think this should be listed as middle grade - there are a lot of trigger warnings and tough subject matter that a 10-13 year old would probably struggle with (for example, abduction, abuse, breeding, death of a child, separation from a child, murder, suicide, and grief grief grief). However it is a thought-provoking story about whether orcas should be kept in human care or not. This pulls from real life examples of horror stories from orcas being kept in human care, many paralleled examples from Blackfish.
I fell in love with Whale, her whale songs, her encounters, and her life. I definitely cried more than I would like to admit, and would highly recommend this to a mature audience.
Oh my goodness, this story. A few things to know about me - growing up I was obsessed with marine life, specifically whales and sharks. I was that little girl who slept with a stuffed Shamu and shark, not a teddy bear. I aspired to be a dolphin trainer at SeaWorld and thought maybe I would be the person to figure out how to communicate with cetaceans. Fast-forward a few decades, and while I am none of those things, I did have cool opportunities when I volunteered at a local aquarium and saw how much the husbandry staff loves the animals. I share all of this because I have very complex feelings towards having animals in human care in zoos and aquariums.
Whale Fall is pitched as a middle grade novel that follows the story of Whale, a salmon-eating orca living in the Puget Sound area who gets captured when she is 5 years old, and then lives in human care at SeaWorld-like facilities. We see her in the ocean with her pod, learning the lore of Mother Earth, and going to the Itching Spot. We see her in a sea pen with Red, who feels like the only Two-Leg that Whale truly feels connected to. We see her in her first aquarium, where Pup trains her to perform in a show, where there are dominance battles with other existing females, and a new male who shows up for breeding purposes. We see her in another aquarium, with two whales who are born in human care, and how vastly different they are from ocean-born whales.
I ended up devouring this book in a matter of two days. Elysia Rourke does such an amazing job at anthropomorphizing Whale, that she reads as a highly relatable character, yet also not human. The writing is tight and clean. Whale's vocabulary for things in the world is creative. She has a true adventure and a very trauma-filled life. I don't think this should be listed as middle grade - there are a lot of trigger warnings and tough subject matter that a 10-13 year old would probably struggle with (for example, abduction, abuse, breeding, death of a child, separation from a child, murder, suicide, and grief grief grief). However it is a thought-provoking story about whether orcas should be kept in human care or not. This pulls from real life examples of horror stories from orcas being kept in human care, many paralleled examples from Blackfish.
I fell in love with Whale, her whale songs, her encounters, and her life. I definitely cried more than I would like to admit, and would highly recommend this to a mature audience.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story comes at a critical time. It prompts readers, ages 10+ to consider the intersection of captured wild and exotic animals for entertainment with human interference in the name of conservation. Although legislation in Canada has now made it illegal to keep whales and dolphins in captivity, there are dozens still captive in the U.S. and around the world.
Whale Fall is a poignant, urgent tale that examines the dangers facing captive orca whales. Makeshift oceans are inadequately sized pools with improper salination that are often built, intended to satisfy the life and spirit of these matriarch led, wild orcas. Unfortunately, these orcas experience shorter lifespan, infection, and further trauma from transfers and separation from their young. They then express their grief through audible cries, detachment, and aggression.
Elysia Rourke captures this despair carefully with intricately woven, distinctive Creation stories that tether her main character, Whale to her Ocean and her family within. Even in captivity, she sings her grandmother’s stories of home until the moment of her own whale fall.
Real life can be messy. The uncomfortable is often avoided in entertainment and stories. Whale Fall, however, opens the door for important and empathetic conversations about anxiety, loneliness, bullying, different families, and grief.
I felt every crushing disappointment and burst of tempered joy to the end, where I could taste the hope of the sea.
I wanted more bonded family time in the Ocean with Brother, Little Sister, Mother, and Grandmother. However, this was the intended purpose. Whale was stolen.
I loved the Silverwing series by Kenneth Oppel. I cherish Whale Fall by Elysia Rourke.
Whale Fall is a poignant, urgent tale that examines the dangers facing captive orca whales. Makeshift oceans are inadequately sized pools with improper salination that are often built, intended to satisfy the life and spirit of these matriarch led, wild orcas. Unfortunately, these orcas experience shorter lifespan, infection, and further trauma from transfers and separation from their young. They then express their grief through audible cries, detachment, and aggression.
Elysia Rourke captures this despair carefully with intricately woven, distinctive Creation stories that tether her main character, Whale to her Ocean and her family within. Even in captivity, she sings her grandmother’s stories of home until the moment of her own whale fall.
Real life can be messy. The uncomfortable is often avoided in entertainment and stories. Whale Fall, however, opens the door for important and empathetic conversations about anxiety, loneliness, bullying, different families, and grief.
I felt every crushing disappointment and burst of tempered joy to the end, where I could taste the hope of the sea.
I wanted more bonded family time in the Ocean with Brother, Little Sister, Mother, and Grandmother. However, this was the intended purpose. Whale was stolen.
I loved the Silverwing series by Kenneth Oppel. I cherish Whale Fall by Elysia Rourke.
September 24, 2026
So I won this book in a giveaway, and I didn't realize until after winning that this is a middle grade novel and not an adult fiction. I was a little worried I wouldn't be able to enjoy it as much as I thought because of this; however, from even the very first chapter, I was hooked. I feel this novel is enjoyable for all ages and really lets you connect with Orcas in a way not everyone would in their everyday lives.
I've always been an animal lover, and I have been to my fair share of zoos and aquariums throughout my life. This book opened my eyes in a way I wasn't expecting. It made me realize how, even though sometimes it seems animals in captivity might have all they need to thrive, wild animals deserve to be just that, wild.
Elysia Rourke did a wonderful job at taking the reader and putting them in the mind of the main Whale in this story. It's an easy read, and flows really well, with many ups and downs like a majestic Orca breaching the ocean waves.
10/10 Would recommend
I've always been an animal lover, and I have been to my fair share of zoos and aquariums throughout my life. This book opened my eyes in a way I wasn't expecting. It made me realize how, even though sometimes it seems animals in captivity might have all they need to thrive, wild animals deserve to be just that, wild.
Elysia Rourke did a wonderful job at taking the reader and putting them in the mind of the main Whale in this story. It's an easy read, and flows really well, with many ups and downs like a majestic Orca breaching the ocean waves.
10/10 Would recommend
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Whale Fall is the story of a whale that is brought into captivity as a juvenile and remains there for the duration of her unnaturally short life. Be aware that this story is lighthearted in some spots, BUT in general the content is actually very heavy. Whale's emotions are described in great detail and she suffers many hardships and losses (along with some happy moments) throughout the story. For this reason, I would be more likely to recommend this book to upper middle grade and younger middle school readers. I believe more advanced readers will benefit from this story, connect it to their own life experiences, learn empathy, and become cognizant of the actual real-life repercussions that human actions can have. There are parts that may be beyond comprehension for some younger readers, but in general I think that this is a great story that will inspire readers to think and feel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Nancy Paulsen Books for the opportunity to review an eARC of Whale Fall.
Thank you to NetGalley and Nancy Paulsen Books for the opportunity to review an eARC of Whale Fall.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
While it took me a moment to connect with Whale, once I did, I was hooked. Animal stories are very popular in my library, and I know Whale's story will be one that circulates widely. Elysia Rourke has a lovely way of telling a heartbreaking story so that the reader feels the hope that keeps Whale going year after year. I appreciated the variety of experiences that Whale had, and reading about them certainly gave me pause about whale kept in captivity. By the end of the book, I was ready to learn more about what can be done to help these animals live their lives the way they are meant to be lived. As an elementary librarian, I really appreciated the gentle way Rourke approached Whale's breeding storyline. It was a very kid-friendly approach, and it led us to one of the best parts of the story - Whale's motherhood.
This will absolutely be a book I purchase for my library, book talk, and recommend to my readers!
This will absolutely be a book I purchase for my library, book talk, and recommend to my readers!
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September 29, 20263.5
This is a hard one to review because, while this was well-written and about an important topic, I don't think I liked it. Whale's unrelenting optimism and naivete were really grating to me. While orcas being captured is incredibly sad, Whale would not have gotten caught it she just listened. She didn't, and it's hard to read from her point of view. It is also overall a very heavy read. Whale is young when she is taken from her family and she goes through extreme hardships. I'd caution having younger readers read this one on their own.
The author's note refers to orcas as killer whales, which is not a great term. People are much less likely to be sympathetic to killer whales than orcas, and it didn't feel fitting at all.
This is a hard one to review because, while this was well-written and about an important topic, I don't think I liked it. Whale's unrelenting optimism and naivete were really grating to me. While orcas being captured is incredibly sad, Whale would not have gotten caught it she just listened. She didn't, and it's hard to read from her point of view. It is also overall a very heavy read. Whale is young when she is taken from her family and she goes through extreme hardships. I'd caution having younger readers read this one on their own.
The author's note refers to orcas as killer whales, which is not a great term. People are much less likely to be sympathetic to killer whales than orcas, and it didn't feel fitting at all.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As much as I absolutely adore this topic being discussed with youth, this book should not be read by kids alone. An adult should be present with kids. This book goes so deep with the emotional trauma of the orcas, including but not limited to whale suicide, drugging after a negative behavior, and intense grief. I sobbed while reading, like I did with books like The One and Only Ivan and Odder (books that also deal with wild animals in captivity), but the chapter structure and the sheer amount of trauma make this book something I would not recommend to kids on their own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Nancy Paulsen Books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Nancy Paulsen Books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a difficult book to read, although it was written very well, telling the story from the point of view of a young orca taken from its home in the ocean and chronicling its journey at Sea World type theme parks. Although it does have a predictable, happy ending, because of its intense and frankly depressing true to life plot, I would have trouble recommending this book to a middle grade reader, except maybe as a class or home read aloud with an adult.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Such a great book! The author did an excellent job of actually thinking like a whale. She throughly captured Whale’s thoughts and emotions. She was also good at describing life in captivity and how easily the whales are bored. I was so sad that Whale was captured and that her life was moving from aquarium to aquarium. The heartbreak she went through was real. I appreciated grandmother’s myths. They added depth to the story and helped bridge the connection between Whale’s family and her present life. This book made me think a lot about whales in captivity and how very wrong that is. I was so glad Whale was able to live out the rest of her life in her beloved ocean and I want that for all the rest of whales held in captivity. I wish the afterward from the author would have included ways to help captive whales.
Thank you NetGalley for the preview. All opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley for the preview. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you know me, you know that Orca's are my favorite animal. I find them so majestic and smart and magical. Blackfish changed my brain chemistry and I will NEVER support orcas in captivity. This story was heartbreaking. It is a great way to introduce younger kids to the problems with captivity and how humans take and take (2-legs) without giving back. Ingrid's story is reminiscent of so many real stories (Keiko, Corky, Shamu - just to name a few).
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Whale Fall is well written and sheds light on the conditions in whales in captivity. It is marketed as a middle grade read but it is a book adults will also find interesting and informative. It is a sad topic so certainly not a happy joyful book but one I would recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An informative and sad story about the life of a whale, born wild, who is captured and lives out her life in captivity. Pretty grim overall, though there are a lot of better moments. Good for raising awareness about the plight of captive animals. Would be a harsh read for a sensitive child.
August 5, 2026
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5⭐️ - this book reminded me a lot of A Whale in the Wild. I thought it was an eye opening look at life for orcas held in captivity.
3.5⭐️ - this book reminded me a lot of A Whale in the Wild. I thought it was an eye opening look at life for orcas held in captivity.
March 7, 2026
Oh my little bby girl Whale 🥺😭
This hurt to read and exposed me to so much information about whales in captivity.
This is an important story that I am happy to have had the opportunity to read.
This hurt to read and exposed me to so much information about whales in captivity.
This is an important story that I am happy to have had the opportunity to read.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review forthcoming but this my top pick for Newbery 2027
September 15, 2026
I like all types of animal stories. I wasn't prepared for how sad and serious this was though. If you're looking for an emotional read, then I would recommend this one.
September 21, 2026
This book was heart wrenching and difficult at times, but also very, very important & lovely.
September 29, 2026
A heart breaking but true journey through a whales life. Elysia has such a way with words that they latch onto the reader and don’t let go.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This middle grade novel is narrated by Whale, a young orca stolen from her family pod in the Pacific. Whale loved her grandmother’s stories, especially “Whale Fall.” When a whale dies, her body sinks to the ocean floor, becoming nourishment for the animals who live on the bottom. Her spirit joins the “Great Mother,” the Creator of animal life. Whale clings to these stories as she is held in various pens and tanks over her captive life. The first place was a sea pen where she could still feel the ocean. This place seemed harsh but nothing prepared her for what was to come. Whale was transferred to a marine park and placed with other captive orcas. They were forced to perform in shows for the two-legs’ amusement.
This was a very difficult review to write as this book truly affected me emotionally. It is beautifully written and immensely sad at what these beautiful animals endured for human entertainment. My recommendation is for readers ages 10 and up.
#WhaleFall #NetGalley
This middle grade novel is narrated by Whale, a young orca stolen from her family pod in the Pacific. Whale loved her grandmother’s stories, especially “Whale Fall.” When a whale dies, her body sinks to the ocean floor, becoming nourishment for the animals who live on the bottom. Her spirit joins the “Great Mother,” the Creator of animal life. Whale clings to these stories as she is held in various pens and tanks over her captive life. The first place was a sea pen where she could still feel the ocean. This place seemed harsh but nothing prepared her for what was to come. Whale was transferred to a marine park and placed with other captive orcas. They were forced to perform in shows for the two-legs’ amusement.
This was a very difficult review to write as this book truly affected me emotionally. It is beautifully written and immensely sad at what these beautiful animals endured for human entertainment. My recommendation is for readers ages 10 and up.
#WhaleFall #NetGalley
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