A GALAXY OF WHALES

Fern lives on an island in the Salish Sea. Cassandra Morris's bubbly narration keeps Fern's summertime adventures light and fun. At the story's outset, Morris skillfully manages Fern's doldrums as she grieves her father's recent death and the hurt she feels as her friendship with her best friend unwinds. Morris's tone perks up when Fern decides to enter a local photo contest in hopes of winning the cash prize, so she can help fund her mother's struggling whale-watching business. With a lively delivery, Morris recounts how Fern and her former friend, Jasper, patch up their families' past miscommunications and work together to win the contest. Especially moving is the wonder these two kids feel when star-gazing with Gramps. S.D.B. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2024]