Lynne Kelly has always loved reading, but while working as a special education teacher, she fell in love with children's literature all over again. She lives in Houston, Texas, and works as a sign language interpreter while writing books for kids. Her first book, Chained, was a South Asia Book Award Honor and Crystal Kite Award winner. Song for a Whale is her second novel. Find her online at http://lynnekellybooks.com/wordpress and on Twitter at @LynneKelly.
Schneider Family Book Award Winner
A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
"At its luminous heart, Song for a Whale is a tale about longing
for connection and finding it in the most magical and unexpected of
places. Fascinating, brave and tender, this is a story like no
other about a song like no other. A triumph." —Katherine Applegate,
Newbery Award-winning author of The One and Only Ivan
“Song for a Whale is beautifully written and is such an
important story for kids with big struggles in their lives. I
fell into Iris's world from the first chapter. Lynne Kelly
does an amazing job telling the story from Iris's perspective.”
—Millicent Simmonds, actress, Wonderstruck and A
Quiet Place
"A quick-moving, suspenseful plot takes her from junkyards to a
cruise ship as she [Iris] gains the confidence to stand up for
herself and take control of her life. Written by a sign-language
interpreter, this story incorporates important elements of Deaf
culture and the expansiveness and richness of ASL...this remains a
satisfying, energetic read. Iris' adventures will engross readers."
—Kirkus Reviews
"The strength of the book is its strong portrayal of Iris as a deaf
girl in a hearing world and an intelligent 12-year-old in headlong,
single-minded pursuit of her goal." —Booklist
"Subtly and poignantly drawing a parallel between the girl and
whale, Kelly (Chained), who has worked as a sign language
interpreter, relays Iris’s venture with credibility and
urgency. This finely crafted novel affectingly illuminates
issues of loneliness, belonging, and the power of communication."
—Publishers Weekly
"Iris’s depth of empathy, the joy she feels working with radios,
and the skillful way she navigates two different worlds of
communication create an authenticity that will resonate with Deaf
and hearing readers alike... An uplifting tale that’s a solid
addition to most collections; especially recommended for libraries
needing stronger representation of Deaf protagonists." —SLJ
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