I don’t usually listen to audiobooks, so when my husband
chose this one for a road trip, I had low expectations regarding a story
with an octopus as a main character.
However, I was absolutely charmed by the
connection between Tova and the intelligent
escape artist at the aquarium where she worked. Other characters are intertwined into a touching
story with themes of family, friendship, loneliness, freedom, and love.
The
author did a fantastic job with characterization, and the audio voices were
pleasantly engaging and entertaining. The emotional conclusion was both an
ending and a beginning. It had me cheering!
THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
BBC RADIO 2 BOOK CLUB PICK
'Full of heart and humour . . . I loved it.' Ruth Hogan
'Will stay with you for a long time.' Anstey Harris
'I defy you to put it down once you've started' Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
After Tova Sullivan's husband died, she began working the night cleaner shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. Ever since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat over thirty years ago keeping busy has helped her cope. One night she meets Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium who…
I write books for children, so I love to read middle-grade novels.
Though the action in this one centers around three young protagonists and
eventually connects their stories, there are plenty of family moments, historical
facts, and tense encounters that will appeal to adults.
One child flees Nazi Germany; another escapes Cuba, and
yet a third leaves Syria after a bombing. The way the author portrays the
danger, hardship, loss, and deception that the families experience on their
journeys makes the reader feel powerfully connected and sympathetic to their
plights.
It is a real eye-opener regarding what families throughout history
had to endure. Unfortunately, people are still experiencing such perils today
due to our unstable world.
This action-packed novel tackles topics both timely and timeless: courage, survival, and the quest for home.
JOSEF is a Jewish boy living in 1930s Nazi Germany. With the threat of concentration camps looming, he and his family board a ship bound for the other side of the world . . .
ISABEL is a Cuban girl in 1994. With riots and unrest plaguing her country, she and her family set out on a raft, hoping to find safety in America . . .
MAHMOUD is a Syrian boy in 2015. With his homeland torn apart by violence and destruction, he…
As a writer for young readers, I
switch between adult and children’s books. I loved The One and Only Ivan,
so when I saw Odder was by the same author, I knew I had to read it. The
story, in beautiful verse, is told from the perspective of a young adventurous
otter whose daring leads to a shark encounter.
It’s based on real-life
occurrences that otters encounter in the wild and during rehabilitation. It
gives insight into the rescue program at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
The curious
little marine mammal at the center of the story is absolutely charming. This
sweet book is a quick read with themes of separation, loss, conservation,
healing, and hope.
2
authors picked
Odder
as one of their favorite books, and they share
why you should read it.
This book is for kids age
9,
10,
11, and
12.
What is this book about?
A touching and lyrical tale about a remarkable sea otter, from Newbery Medalist Katherine Applegate, author of Wishtree.
Meet Odder, the Queen of Play:
Nobody has her moves.
She doesn't just swim to the bottom,
she dive-bombs.
She doesn't just somersault,
she triple-doughnuts.
She doesn't just ride the waves,
she makes them.
Odder spends her days off the coast of central California, practising her underwater acrobatics and spinning the quirky stories for which she's known. She's a fearless daredevil, curious to a fault. But when Odder comes face-to-face with a hungry great white shark, her life takes a dramatic turn,…
A dragon and knight are secretly friends but are bound by law to
duel in an upcoming tournament. Can the two cook up a plan to obey the edict
but still save their friendship?
No matter what our differences ... tall or small, castle
inhabitant or cave dweller, there’s value in befriending those who are
different from ourselves and in finding things we share in common.
Whether in
an imaginary kingdom or a real-life setting, friendship rules! Children
will devour this scrumptiously clever tale, which shows that when conflicts
arise, peaceful and creative problem-solving can come to the rescue.
