Book Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Philomel, March 24, 1993
Awards or honors received:
IODE National Chapter Book Award (text)
Governor General's Literary Award (illustration)
Canadian National Library Notable Book
A CBC Radio's Morningside's Children's Book Panel “Recommended Book”
Canadian Children's Book Centre “Outstanding Book”
Short-listed for the Mr. Christie Book Award
Short-listed for the BC Book Prize (children's book category)
Summary:
Waiting for the Whales, is a powerful but yet touching story about the bond between individuals. A lonesome elderly man lived by the ocean. Every summer the man lived to see the orcas. The orcas gave him a sense of warmth that dismissed the loneliness that he had felt all year. When the orcas would swim off for the winter the old man would say his goodbye with a tear. Over the next year he would live his life doing chores as if he was not alone. Then one day his daughter arrived with a new baby. The elderly man spent the next years of his life schooling his granddaughter on the lessons of life and the power of the orcas. The day the old man passed, his granddaughter ran to the shore to see the orcas. In her amazement she saw a mother with her baby calf swimming with an old bull.
Personal Rating, ****Great. The words in the text left vivid pictures in my mind about my own relationship with my grandparents.
Reading Level: 4 grade (A.R. Level 4.7)
Interest Level: K-5
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Reading/Writing: Converse with students about this book on Grandparent’s Day. Students could write a journal entry about the memories they may have of someone special. Science: A lesson on orcas and animal babies. An inquiry study on migrations. Social Studies: An extension activity on the compass and directions; north, south, east, and west. Music: Listen to the different sounds that orcas make. Compare their sounds to musical instruments.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: The story discusses the death of a grandparent.
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