Alena's Reviews > Isabel of the Whales

This is a child's book, there's no ifs ands or buts about that fact. I first read this book when I was in the target demographic (and very, very into mermaids), but my little well-loved paperback copy still sits on my bookshelf many years later. A high honor after many moves and donation trips!

I've reread it even as a young adult, and now as a sorta-adult (is 24 an 'adult adult'? Yikes). I may remember this from my nostalgic lens, this story of a young girl who turns into a whale and learns the ins and outs of humpback whale society. Traditions passed down from generation to generation, facing the consequences of mass fishing, even the migration routes of the whales. However out there that may be for some, it doesn't take away from the intriguing concept (mermaids are pretty and while humpbacks are amazing... they're not Ariel), smooth descriptions and dialogue that doesn't feel jilted despite being between whales.

Yes, there's a part where she and a humpback whale, Jessaloup, are flirting. Yes, maybe that's why I'm a furry. (Really, it's not an offensive part of the book, from what I remember, she's only 11 after all.)

Anyways, I would recommend this book to those with young children (or those young at heart) intrigued with the ocean, mermaids, and all things fantastical.