the lost whale book review

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THE LOST WHALE

by Hannah Gold ; illustrated by Sophie Diao ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 11, 2022

Poignant and empowering.

A young boy discovers both his limits and his power.

Eleven-year-old Rio Turner has lived all his life in London with his American mother. But when his mother’s depression worsens and she has to be hospitalized, Rio is sent to live with his near stranger of a grandmother in California. As the story unfolds in waves of both nuance and perceptively delivered atmosphere—the ocean and California coast are evocatively rendered—Rio, resentful, lonely, and missing his adored mother, deflects his grandmother’s attempts at friendship. But then she gives him a shoe box of his mother’s childhood treasures, and Rio discovers drawing after drawing of whales. One drawing, titled White Beak , stands out for how lifelike it is, and Rio keeps it close in his pocket. Then, while walking the beach, Rio meets Marina, a girl about his age who lives on a whale-watching boat. Marina tells him that White Beak is an actual whale, and she invites Rio to come on a whale-watching trip, where he glimpses the actual White Beak on her migratory route to Mexico. Rio is entranced, and as he learns more about the magnificent creatures, including their plight as a result of human carelessness, he determines to help however he can. And then White Beak goes missing. This superb story captures the power and mystery of the ocean as well as delivering bite-size morsels of climate change advocacy. Characters read as White default.

Pub Date: Oct. 11, 2022

ISBN: 978-0-06-304111-0

Page Count: 304

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2022

CHILDREN'S ACTION & ADVENTURE FICTION | CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S FAMILY

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BOOK REVIEW

by Hannah Gold ; illustrated by Levi Pinfold

by Hannah Gold ; illustrated by Kate Slater

CLUES TO THE UNIVERSE

by Christina Li ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 12, 2021

Charming, poignant, and thoughtfully woven.

An aspiring scientist and a budding artist become friends and help each other with dream projects.

Unfolding in mid-1980s Sacramento, California, this story stars 12-year-olds Rosalind and Benjamin as first-person narrators in alternating chapters. Ro’s father, a fellow space buff, was killed by a drunk driver; the rocket they were working on together lies unfinished in her closet. As for Benji, not only has his best friend, Amir, moved away, but the comic book holding the clue for locating his dad is also missing. Along with their profound personal losses, the protagonists share a fixation with the universe’s intriguing potential: Ro decides to complete the rocket and hopes to launch mementos of her father into outer space while Benji’s conviction that aliens and UFOs are real compels his imagination and creativity as an artist. An accident in science class triggers a chain of events forcing Benji and Ro, who is new to the school, to interact and unintentionally learn each other’s secrets. They resolve to find Benji’s dad—a famous comic-book artist—and partner to finish Ro’s rocket for the science fair. Together, they overcome technical, scheduling, and geographical challenges. Readers will be drawn in by amusing and fantastical elements in the comic book theme, high emotional stakes that arouse sympathy, and well-drawn character development as the protagonists navigate life lessons around grief, patience, self-advocacy, and standing up for others. Ro is biracial (Chinese/White); Benji is White.

Pub Date: Jan. 12, 2021

ISBN: 978-0-06-300888-5

Publisher: Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Oct. 26, 2020

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2020

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

More by Christina Li

by Christina Li

by Bobbie Pyron ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 13, 2019

Entrancing and uplifting.

A small dog, the elderly woman who owns him, and a homeless girl come together to create a tale of serendipity.

Piper, almost 12, her parents, and her younger brother are at the bottom of a long slide toward homelessness. Finally in a family shelter, Piper finds that her newfound safety gives her the opportunity to reach out to someone who needs help even more. Jewel, mentally ill, lives in the park with her dog, Baby. Unwilling to leave her pet, and forbidden to enter the shelter with him, she struggles with the winter weather. Ree, also homeless and with a large dog, helps when she can, but after Jewel gets sick and is hospitalized, Baby’s taken to the animal shelter, and Ree can’t manage the complex issues alone. It’s Piper, using her best investigative skills, who figures out Jewel’s backstory. Still, she needs all the help of the shelter Firefly Girls troop that she joins to achieve her accomplishment: to raise enough money to provide Jewel and Baby with a secure, hopeful future and, maybe, with their kindness, to inspire a happier story for Ree. Told in the authentic alternating voices of loving child and loyal dog, this tale could easily slump into a syrupy melodrama, but Pyron lets her well-drawn characters earn their believable happy ending, step by challenging step, by reaching out and working together. Piper, her family, and Jewel present white; Pyron uses hair and naming convention, respectively, to cue Ree as black and Piper’s friend Gabriela as Latinx.

Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2019

ISBN: 978-0-06-283922-0

Page Count: 320

Publisher: Katherine Tegen/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: April 9, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2019

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY

More by Bobbie Pyron

by Bobbie Pyron

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Book Review: The Lost Whale by Hannah Gold & Levi Pinfold (illustrator)

Publisher:  HarperCollins UK, Children’s

Genre: Children’s, Middle Grade

Release Date: 31st March 2022

Format reviewed: ARC Ebook (with thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, Children’s)

What if you could communicate with a whale?

Rio has been sent to live with a grandmother he barely knows in California, while his mum is in hospital back home. Alone and adrift, the only thing that makes him smile is joining his new friend Marina on her dad’s whale watching trips. That is until an incredible encounter with White Beak, a gentle giant of the sea changes everything. But when White Beak goes missing, Rio must set out on a desperate quest to find his whale and somehow save his mum.

Dive into this incredible story about the connection between a boy and a whale and the bond that sets them both free.

Perfect for readers of 8+, beautifully illustrated throughout by Levi Pinfold – winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal and illustrator of Harry Potter 20th anniversary edition covers.

The Lost Whale is the enchanting second novel from the author of The Last Bear: the bestselling debut hardback of 2021 and winner of the Waterstones Children’s Prize and the Blue Peter Book Award.

The Lost Whale by Hannah Gold is an absolutely gorgeous story. Heartfelt and authentic from the off, I fell in love with the characters including the magnificent whales, and felt a renewed passion for the ocean. 

I can’t help thinking if I had read this aged 9 or 10 it would have sparked a desire in me to work as a marine biologist or similar, and certainly to join the cause of the whales. It inspires me to do the latter now anyway! 

It makes you want to go out there and see the magnificence of the ocean with your own eyes, and Hannah Gold captures this so well. The beauty, the sounds, the salt in the air and on your skin and the sensation of utter peace within nature.

It’s a really stunning read with such a lot of complex emotion and reality going on too. After being a carer for his mother most of his life, Rio’s concern and love for her is a constant as he is forced to leave her and go stay with his Grandmother thousands of miles from home. Even as he allows himself to enjoy Ocean Bay it is his mother’s wellbeing that drives him. It is so touching and authentic – all his hopes and fears are beautifully captured and the narrative deals with the reality of mental illness with sensitivity.

This is a well achieved sequel to The Last Bear. Hannah Gold brings us another simple tale that holds so much within it, not least a call to action to look after our planet and understand our power to do so if we work together – one small step at a time.

I highly recommend this to middle grade readers young and old, if you loved The Last Bear, you’re in for a treat!

Thanks for Reading!

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The Lost Whale: A powerful animal adventure story for children, from the bestselling author of The Last Bear Hardcover – 31 Mar. 2022

The Lost Whale is the enchanting second novel from the author of The Last Bear : the bestselling debut hardback of 2021 and The Times Children’s Book of the Week, winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the Blue Peter Award and shortlisted for the British Book Awards 2022 and the Indie Book Awards 2022

‘Unforgettable highly accomplished animal adventure about the connection between a boy and a whale, with strong ecological themes’ The Bookseller , Editor’s Choice

What if you could communicate with a whale?

Rio has been sent to live with a grandmother he barely knows in California, while his mum is in hospital back home. Alone and adrift, the only thing that makes him smile is joining his new friend Marina on her dad's whale watching trips. That is until an incredible encounter with White Beak, a gentle giant of the sea changes everything. But when White Beak goes missing, Rio must set out on a desperate quest to find his whale and somehow save his mum.

Dive into this incredible story about the connection between a boy and a whale and the bond that sets them both free.

Perfect for readers of 8+, beautifully illustrated throughout by Levi Pinfold – winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal and illustrator of Harry Potter 20th anniversary edition covers.

Hannah Gold's book 'The Last Bear' was a No.2 Sunday Times bestseller w/c 18-04-2022.

• Print length 320 pages
• Language English
• Dimensions 13.6 x 3 x 19.1 cm
• Publisher HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks
• Publication date 31 Mar. 2022
• ISBN-10 0008412944
• ISBN-13 978-0008412944
• See all details

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From the Publisher

THE ENCHANTING SECOND NOVEL FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE LAST BEAR: THE BESTSELLING DEBUT HARDBACK OF 2021

‘Unforgettable, highly accomplished animal adventure’ The Bookseller , Editor’s Choice

Perfect for readers of 8+, beautifully illustrated throughout by Levi Pinfold

Product description

‘From the author of the bestselling The Last Bear comes another engrossing tale that blends ecological awareness with deftly plotted adventure’ Waterstones, Books of the Year 2022

‘ The Last Bear , Hannah Gold’s award-winning debut, explored the intense connection between animal and child that can help with expressing pain and anxiety ― and The Lost Whale reprises that theme’ Daily Mail

‘A winning book from a master storyteller’ Irish Independent

‘The author’s passion for the natural world currently under threat makes their book outstanding’ New Statesman , Best Children’s Books of the Year

‘Lyrical page-turner’ Observer

‘An irresistible, ocean-loving yarn’ The Times

‘Simply beautiful – tender, heartfelt and hopeful with such crystal-clear storytelling. . . Rio and White Beak’s story will stay with me for a long time’ Sophie Kirtley, author of The Wild Way Home

‘Beautifully crafted story of hope and healing’ Katie Heap, Scope for Imagination

‘Magnificent! The Lost Whale will lift your heart as high as the ocean is deep’ Piers Torday, author of The Last Wild

‘The most spellbinding read. I raced through this book, completely engrossed in Rio and his quest to find White Beak. My book of the year so far’ Nizrana Farook, author of The Girl Who Stole an Elephant

‘ The Lost Whale is filled with wonder, fascinating facts and a main character with a heart as a big as a whale. You won’t want to miss it’ Annabel Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief

‘Both a stirring page-turning adventure, and an eloquent and heartfelt plea to #SaveTheWhales and in doing so save ourselves. Resonant, timely, wonderful!’ Nicola Penfold, author of Between Sea and Sky

‘The story is beautifully told and issues of mental health are sensitively handled’ Juno Magazine

Book Description

A powerful animal adventure story for children, from the bestselling author of The Last Bear

About the Author

Hannah Gold worked in the film and magazine industries before taking time out to pursue her dream of writing. She lives in Lincolnshire with her tortoise, her cat and her husband.

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks (31 Mar. 2022)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0008412944
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0008412944
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 11 years, from customers
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.6 x 3 x 19.1 cm
• 222 in Children's Books on Recycling & Green Living
• 254 in Earth Sciences & Geography for Kids
• 335 in Teaching Aids for Geography

About the author

Hannah gold.

Hannah Gold grew up in a family where books, animals, and the beauty of the outside world were ever present, and is now passionate about writing stories that share her love of the planet.

Her debut, The Last Bear, was a Sunday Times bestseller and won a number of national awards, including the Waterstones Children's Book Prize and the Blue Peter Book Award in 2022. She is also the author of The Lost Whale which won the Edward Stanford Children's Travel Book 2022 and Finding Bear, the bestselling sequel to The Last Bear. Finding Bear was longlisted for the Children's Fiction Wainwright Prize and shortlisted for the Week Junior Book Awards 2024. In September, her brand new book, Turtle Moon became an instant bestseller on release. All novels are illustrated by renowned artist Levi Pinfold.

Hannah's books have sold over 250,000 copies in the UK alone, and been translated into 27 languages. She is an ambassador for Whale and Dolphin Conservation, and lives in Lincolnshire with her tortoise and her husband.

Customer reviews

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 81% 14% 2% 2% 2% 81%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 81% 14% 2% 2% 2% 14%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 81% 14% 2% 2% 2% 2%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 81% 14% 2% 2% 2% 2%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 81% 14% 2% 2% 2% 2%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings, help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers find the story poignant, lovely, and gripping. They also praise the writing quality as well-written and easy to read. Readers say the book teaches about love, caring, and commitment. They mention it appeals to all ages and really brings the story to life.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the story poignant, lovely, and gripping. They say it conveys powerful messages across a range of topics. Readers also mention the book touches on many subjects and conveys important messages to young readers without overwhelming them.

"...There are some very powerful messages in this book across a range of topics whilst still being easy to read and easy to follow the direction of the..." Read more

"...The story is really gripping and the depth of emotions explored makes this a wonderful of helping a child to understand their own feelings and..." Read more

"...It touches on so many subjects and I have learnt so much through the powerful story telling." Read more

"...He read The Last Bear from the same author and really liked the story , he kept reading it without wanting to put it down...." Read more

Customers find the writing quality of the book well-written and easy to read. They also say the topics are important and conveyed well. Readers also mention the formatting is beautiful.

"...Overall beautifully told and a wonderful story about plastic/waste pollution, human destruction, having him also find his own identity that he has..." Read more

"...messages in this book across a range of topics whilst still being easy to read and easy to follow the direction of the story...." Read more

"...7 year old really loved it. It’s beautifully written , I enjoyed it just as much as she did." Read more

"...is a little unrealistic but the messages are so important and so well conveyed that I couldn't help but give it 5 stars...." Read more

Customers find the pacing of the book to be good. They mention it teaches them about love, caring, and commitment. Readers also appreciate that the book presents mental health and ocean preservation in very careful ways. In addition, they say the characters are charming and you get to know them really well.

"...The characters are so charming, and you get to know them really well ...." Read more

"...Facilitating books from Hannah Gold. Teaches you about love , caring and commitment." Read more

"A wonderful story of heartbreak, healing and true friendship . A great book for years 5 and 6 readers who love learning about animals or the ocean." Read more

"...It presents mental health and ocean preservation in very careful ways, conveying important messages to young readers without overwhelming them...." Read more

Customers find the story appealing to all ages. They say the stunning illustrations really bring the story to life. Readers also mention the book is creative and a great kids' book.

"...white illustrations throughout are absolutely stunning and really bring the story to life , creating beautiful imagery and depth in the book." Read more

"...I can't wait to read the next book!This story will appeal to all ages (I'm in my 50's!!)" Read more

"...Not just for children I love reading these creative stories , highly recommend this author" Read more

" Great kids book ..." Read more

Customers find the illustrations beautiful and breathtaking.

"...I also adored The Last Bear and the illustrations are just as beautiful in this, whilst both are 5 stars I think this is my favourite." Read more

"...The black and white illustrations throughout are absolutely stunning and really bring the story to life, creating beautiful imagery and depth in the..." Read more

"...The illustrations along the way were absolutely stunning . A book of hope, peace and true friendship." Read more

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Linda's Book Bag

Loving books and reading, the lost whale by hannah gold.

Hannah Gold’s The Last Bear was one of my books of the year in 2021. You can read my review here . I absolutely adored The Last Bear so imagine my pleasure when a beautiful copy of Hannah’s second book The Lost Whale arrived thanks to Tina Mories at Harper Collins Children’s Books. I have a huge TBR but The Lost Whale zipped straight to the top and I’m delighted to share my review today, especially as I found myself quoted within its pages!

Published by Harper Collins Children’s Books on 31st March 2022 The Last Whale is available for purchase through the links here .

The Lost Whale

The Lost Whale  is the enchanting second novel from the author of  The Last Bear : the bestselling debut hardback of 2021 and  The Times  Children’s Book of the Week, shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the British Book Awards 2022 and winner of the Blue Peter Award

‘Unforgettable highly accomplished animal adventure about the connection between a boy and a whale, with strong ecological themes’ The Bookseller , Editor’s Choice

What if you could communicate with a whale?

Rio has been sent to live with a grandmother he barely knows in California, while his mum is in hospital back home. Alone and adrift, the only thing that makes him smile is joining his new friend Marina on her dad’s whale watching trips. That is until an incredible encounter with White Beak, a gentle giant of the sea changes everything. But when White Beak goes missing, Rio must set out on a desperate quest to find his whale and somehow save his mum.

Dive into this incredible story about the connection between a boy and a whale and the bond that sets them both free.

Perfect for readers of 8+, beautifully illustrated throughout by Levi Pinfold – winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal and illustrator of Harry Potter 20th anniversary edition covers.

My Review of The Lost Whale

Rio is staying with his grand mother in California.

As Hannah Gold’s The Last Bear was one of the best books I read last year and has been busy scooping up all kinds of awards, I had very high expectations for The Lost Whale . It did not meet those expectations, but rather surpassed them completely. Hannah Gold really does have sublime magic in her writing that is completely mesmerising.

The story is gripping, with the excitement of tracking whales romping along. However, there’s so much more here too. The Lost Whale is so imbued with emotion I think I probably sobbed through the entire second half. Rio’s narrative isn’t just about finding a lost whale, it’s about finding himself too. Hannah Gold presents to perfection the role of a child supporting a parent suffering from mental health problems so that there’s someone for other children to relate to in the story alongside a hugely important message that they are not to blame for their parent’s illness, nor are they responsible for making that parent better.

Rio’s prickly personality and less than perfect behaviour at times helps youngsters understand that sometimes our words and actions are masking our true feelings. His friendship with Marina, his love for his mother and his gradual understanding of his grand mother are all presented to perfection, so that The Lost Whale becomes both heart-breaking and uplifting. Without a trace of cloying sentimentality, Hannah Gold presents emotion with clarity and reality in a supportive and helpful manner, making her books essential reading for all – children and adults alike.

There are crucial environmental aspects to the story that are so sensitively woven into the narrative that the reader learns from Rio’s adventure without even realising. There’s nothing aggressive or patronising in Hannah Gold’s approach and, consequently, finding the ways readers can have a beneficial effect on their environment is all the more impactful. Add in a beautiful, honest, Author’s Note to children, websites, advice and contacts at the end of the book and The Lost Whale become an essential addition to any home or classroom.

It’s impossible to review The Lost Whale without reference to the utterly outstanding illustrations from Levi Pinfold that pepper the text, bringing the narrative to life and engaging even the most reluctant of readers. There’s an emotional quality that draws in the reader and adds such depth and allure.

I fear I haven’t done justice to The Last Whale . Should you take a dictionary of superlatives I think they could all apply to this engaging, moving and enthralling book. The Lost Whale is utterly magnificent and the world is a better, kinder, place with this story in it. I could not have loved it more.

About Hannah Gold

For more information, visit Hannah’s  website , or you can follow her on Twitter @HGold_author , or find her on  Facebook  and Instagram .

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Kid’s Book Review: The Lost Whale

By Sarah Tyson

About the Book, Author and Illustrator

Fans of The Last Bear have been eagerly awaiting another animal adventure by Hannah Gold, whose writing has the capacity to empower her young characters, and in doing so, her readers.

The Lost Whale is another story with a subtle animal conservation / environmental message that will resonate and be applauded by an eco-conscious generation.

Anyone who understands the connection that is possible between a human and wild creature, or who appreciates Nature will love this timeless book – however old they are.

Thanks to Harper Collins for sending us for proof for Holly to enjoy reviewing.

Hannah Gold is the bestselling author of The Last Bear,  another story about a connection between a child and an animal that is also illustrated by Levi Pinfold and published by Harper Collins. It was the biggest selling hardback debut in 2021 as well as the winner of the Blue Peter Book Awards 2022. It is currently shortlisted for the British Book Awards – Children’s Book of the Year 2022 and is shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2022.

Levi Pinfold ‘s love of stories, painting and the work of illustrators such as Maurice Sendak, Alan Lee and Dave McKean led him to study Illustration at the University College Falmouth, where he developed narrative illustrations in his own style; a stylised realism. He is the winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal and illustrator of Harry Potter 20th anniversary edition covers.

Book Review

Whenever I put the book down it definitely was not willingly, and I always wanted to pick it right back up and read more!

This is a book about a boy called Rio whose Mum is not very well. He has to move to California to live with his grandmother. She tries hard to make him feel at home, but she does not know her grandson very well and at the beginning he feels far away from everything that is familiar to him.

When he makes a friend he starts to find California an exciting place and wants to stay. With his friend he meets White Beak, a whale, whom his mother had known when she was a child. Leo and White Beak form a connection that helps him to feel closer to his absent mother.

The story turns into an adventure when Rio and his friend, together with his grandmother and his friend’s Dad set out to rescue the largest creature in the oceans.

I loved this book, it was a great adventure story and it had a realistic twist as well. The description is beautiful and there is exactly the right amount of it.

The illustrations by Levi Pinfold seemed so real. I couldn’t stop staring at them because I felt like they could start moving any minute they were so life-like.

I recommend this book to 8-12 year olds, and anyone who loves the ocean and its mysteries. I think it has everything a brilliant book needs!

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Whichever you choose, we hope you enjoy being part of your unique reading community – happy reading everyone!

Reviewer Profile

• Name: Holly
• Age: 11 years
• Likes: hockey, running and skiing
• Dislikes: maths and broccoli
• Favourite Book: We Are the Beaker Girls by Jacqueline Wilson
• Favourite Film: Descendants
• Favourite Song: Bad Girlfriend by Anne-Marie

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