Dancing the Seas

Dolphin Diaries #8

by Ben M. Baglio

Jody McGrath's dolphin dreams are coming true! Her whole family is sailing around the world researching dolphins - and Jody is recording all their exciting adventures in her diary!In the Marquesas Islands in Polynesia, Jody is delighted to spot a large mixed group of spotted and spinner dolphins - especially one she names Twister. On the islands, she meets two new friends, Lew and Monique, who work for a local dolphin-friendly tuna boat. Jody has the chance to witness them in action as they save dolphins. But when something goes wrong with Monique's breathing equipment at the last minute

Genres: Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Contemporary

160 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 2002

About the author

Ben M. Baglio created the brief for two series of children's books - Dolphin Diaries and Animal Ark. Dolphin Diaries features a girl and her family from Florida, who travel around the world as marine biologists and study dolphins. Animal Ark features two children who work together to help animals and solve animal-related mysteries. The books were written by commissioned writers in the UK under Baglio's instruction using the pseudonym Lucy Daniels. Each ghostwriter is named with a 'Special Thanks' on the copyright page.

Using his real name he also wrote the book series The Pet Finders Club, featuring a group of three children who search for peoples lost pets.

Reviews

[Dena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another really good story that included interesting detail about unusual dolphins and amazing locations! The stories and the characters and the locales continue to hold my interest.

[Lily Norton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great book for animal lovers! It is extremely well-written as well as being not overly descriptive.

[Manon · Rating 4 out of 5]

So lovely!

[Manon Kroon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great memories when I recieved this book as a present from my acquitance's ex wife. Pure nostalgia.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

See the first book in the series for a full review.

[Mirti Venyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Do you have any special dolphin friends?” Jody asked hopefully. “Any that you’ve rescued from the tuna nets?”

Monique shook her head. “These are wild animals, Jody. I have helped many of them to escape, but I don’t expect to change their attitudes towards people. Maybe some of them remember me and feel grateful – I don’t know.”

Jody felt a little disappointed by this. “Don’t you think dolphins and people can be friends, then?”

Monique looked thoughtful. “I have heard of such friendships,” she said slowly. “There are many stories of dolphins who have helped people who were in trouble. These things happen; no one knows why.”

- Dancing the Seas, p 61 - 62

Is Monique right? Or are there other perspectives? Do dolphins remember people? Can Jody develop a relationship with a large spinner dolphin she feels so attracted to? Is it really the same dolphin she sees again? Dolphins look so alike, how can one tell them apart?

All these intriguing questions and many more are examined in Dancing the Seas. The story is rendered with convincing and interesting details regarding life on a boat as marine biologists and the nature and habits of dolphins and manta rays. Ancient cultural details about one of the remotest islands in the world, the Marquesas Islands, are sprinkled in for a good measure of mysterious beauty. The book is likely to fascinate children and surprise even adult readers with little bits of information they might not know. What is “dolphin bow-riding?” Do you know the difference between a manta ray and a sting ray? Why are divers employed to go down in tuna nets?

Jody’s story explores the topic of human-animal relationships and communication from different angles. Facts are cleverly interwoven in such a way as to not make the book too scholarly and “boring” for kids, and the theme of dolphin protection is presented in a very realistic and not overly preachy and fanatical way. The book can be read by an eight to ten year old quite easily, depending on their English reading level, but will definitely be enjoyed by all ages, even adults. I loved it.

I have read only one book in the series, so I cannot say whether the theme is repetitive in any way or not compared to the others. I believe some of the books were published under Ben M Baglio's pseudonym, Lucy Daniels.

www.mvreiyas.wordpress.com

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a well-written, entertaining book. Zamira and Armand knew each other years ago when they danced in Argentina. Zamira chose her ex-dancing partner instead of marriage to Armand and Armand went to the United States. He is now opening a dance studio. Zamira realized her mistake in the meantime and when she sees the ads for auditions for Armand's dance studio, she comes to the US and tries out. Armand doesn't trust her, but she is the best dancer in his auditions. There was so much passion in this story, and the dancing scenes were wonderful. I enjoyed this book and didn't want it to come to an end.

[Sammy]

Another really good series of books by Lucy Daniels, I was completely in love with these books when I was younger. This series I particularly likes as it was Dolphin based ands they used to be my favourite animal when I was younger.

If you like animals you cannot help but love these books when you are a child.

[Rose]

JF Bag

[Joni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. What can i say? Dolphins. Girl. Samey.

[Jelly-Bean · Rating 2 out of 5]

jody meets a dolfin and names it Twister.it is a happy/sad story.

[Twyla]

My favorite paRt was when twister helped save the other dolphins in the fishing net. I learned that some dolphins can Leap out of the water and spin

[Sara Paulson · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book was alright but it wasn't very gripping or exciting to be honest it was fairly boring nothing really happened