Song for a Whale

Such great d/Deaf representation - Reading the about the author section was really enlighten about the certain choices she's made for the story. She studied ASL and knows about d/Deaf culture, for example a strong choice she made for this character in particular is making her proud of her d/Deaf culture/experience and was not portrayed as ever missing out or feeling less because she is Deaf. She had a signing d/Deaf family that made this feel like a culture/family if people maybe weren't familiar with it. Many times d/Deaf people's family do not learn how to sign, I'm glad she addressed this in the authors notes of why she decided to make the family sign but also make sure the dad didn't sign as well/as interested so this feeling could also be addressed.

Anyway, I also like this character being curious, talented in science (research, engineering, and understanding decibel soundwaves) and also kind of a brat. She's a young teen and I'm glad they did make her a bit too into herself because she felt like a fleshed out young person. She has a journey of discovery when she learns about a whale, who she projects her emotions on because she feels he is similar to her. She becomes obsessed and wonders why people equally be on par with her excitement (even after doing a great deal of work to help figure out a way to attract the whale so scientist can place a tracker on it...which like I would be upset here too because that's amazing!)
Her Grandmother, who is depressed after her husband dies, takes her on a trip to Alaska to maybe help get the tracker placed on the whale.

This doesn't quite do this book justice, I easily give it 5 stars because I think it is a great d/Deaf protagonists with an author that does understand what being d/Deaf is. It doesn't make it too my favorites because I took me a long time to connect with her (despite her being nicely characterized brat with a journey lol) and because there was so much projected emotion on the whale...which you could say is the point of the story...obsession.

Speaking of which, I thought it was odd they mentioned Moby Dick a bit...ya know hunting a whale and all... but the obsession bit was probably what was being referenced here?