Review of The Whaler's Daughter

[JayRaams]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Whaler's Daughter" by Jerry Mikorenda.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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The Whalers Daughter is the story Savannah Dawson’s and her family and friends. Savannah wants to show her farther that she is strong enough to join him in the family whaling business. Through out the book Savannah grows and starts to understand her true destiny. Which is to save the bay and the Killer Whales, which have been helping the whalers for year's. The whalers are also close to local tribe of First Nation Australians. Can Savannah and Figgie save the place they call home and the whales they love?

It was good to see the representation and diversity of the characters. It also passes the Bechdel test which is important in YA books with a female lead. The author Jerry Mikorenda, is great at painting a beautiful picture with his words. When Savannah is playing with the killer whales you can really picture it.

I am Australian and so found that the author didn't seem to know Australia or the slang we used. Often a character would use slang or Savannah would see something and it felt contrived. I also felt that the First Nation people were miss represented was not done right, they often read like Native Americans. If you are going to represent a minority group you need to be respectful them and their culture. Equating them with other minorities is dissrespectful.

I give this a 4 out of 4 Stares. If I could give partial stars it would be aa score of 3.5. I would have taken 1/4 off for the way the First Nation People are missrepresented, and another 1/4 off for the way Savannah is a "Not like other Girl" girl. But I am rounding up to 4 stars because because the book is extremely well edited. For most readers unfamiliar with Australia you would not mind these issues.

I recommended this to YA readers who enjoyed Free Willy and Ane of Green Gables. This is the extremely niche book you have been looking for.

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The Whaler's Daughter
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