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'Whale Talk' speaks to all readers

When reading realistic fiction, it's easy to find common connections.

By HOLLY ATKINS
Published November 8, 2004

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	About this series

Welcome back to another year of "We're Talkin' Books Here!" In the next few weeks, we'll visit with a few familiar faces, and say hello to some new ones.

This week, I'd like to introduce my new Book Buzz partner, Brie Johnson, an eighth-grader at Southside Fundamental Middle School in St. Petersburg. Not only does Brie read all kinds of books, from fantasy to realistic fiction, she knows what she likes, and what she doesn't like.

Atkins: So, Brie, what did you read this month that really wowed you?

Brie: Well, I read Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher, and Speak and Catalyst, both by Laurie Halse Anderson.

Atkins: All of these are gritty, realistic fiction young adult novels. Is this the type of book you usually read?

Brie: I guess I'm sort of a convert, really. The only books I used to read were by J.R.R. Tolkien and other fantasy writers. That was last school year. This year, I've been reading books like these.

Atkins: Out of the three, did you have a favorite?

Brie: Whale Talk. I could relate to that one the most. The story's expressed through swimming. I'm a swimmer, and I love swimming. So I guess I could understand a lot of the stuff in the book, like dealing with racial discrimination - there's still a lot of that going on no matter where you live.

Atkins: I'm really glad you like this book, Brie. I'm a huge Chris Crutcher fan. I'm not a swimmer, but I still really connected with these characters - especially T.J. In some ways the book is about swimming, but it's about the bigger issues in life, too. Thanks for the book chat, Brie. Meet you back here next month.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Samantha Page, 9, fourth grade, Deer Park Elementary School, New Port Richey, recommends The Beastly Arms by Patrick Jennings.

When I first picked up this book, I read the back and it did not sound very interesting at all. I was surprised when I started reading the first few pages. I could not close the book! I liked the way the author wrote very vivid descriptions of the people and places in the story. This made me feel like I was living in The Beastly Arms.

Nickel and his mom had to move out of their apartment because the rent went up again. One day while out apartment hunting, Nickel and his mom saw a strange brass nameplate in an alley that read the Beastly Arms. Nickel walked into the alley, tripped over the brass nameplate and accidentally kicked the doorbell. The door cracked open and out came a man named Mr. Beastly, who owned the building. Nickel and his mom took an apartment there.

My favorite part of the book was when the author described the new apartment in The Beastly Arms. As soon as I read the first few sentences, I knew that home would fit them perfectly.

Brandon Manosky, 11, fifth grade, Powell Middle School, Spring Hill, recommends Sweet Dreams by Lynne M. Caulkett.

I have my own horse so I read every book I can about horses. But this book is good for everyone, not just horse people. Kayci dreams about getting her own horse that she can train and go to the big horse shows with. One day her grandpa finds a horse that ran away from a mean man and Kayci thinks it might be the horse in her dreams.

My favorite part was when Kayci is at a big horse show and another girl cheats to try to win. Kayci thinks that there is nothing she can do about it, but she and her horse Shiloh do their best anyway, even though they know they don't have a chance to win now. But something surprising happens and things work out.

On the way home the horse trailer is in a big accident and they don't know if Shiloh will live or not. When I read that part I knew I had to keep reading to find out what happened to the horse. I don't want to spoil the book for anyone else, so I can't tell you what happens, but it's the kind of book that makes you want to keep reading. I read the whole 363 pages in two days because I had to find out how it ended.

Shira Moch, 13, seventh grade, Southside Fundamental Middle School, St. Petersburg, recommends Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan.

How could she get married at age 13? Her parents must be crazy to allow something like that! This book is about Koly, a girl who lives in India and is forced to marry at age 13. She must live with her new family. If she goes back home she will bring shame to her family.

After many deaths (including that of her new husband), Koly's mother-in-law abandons her in a big city. A boy helps her and takes her to a building where other widows have been dumped. Read the book to find out what happens to Koly and the boy who helps her to get back on her feet.

This is a great book to read if you like reading about different cultures, and if you like books that are happy and sad at the same time. Or if you just want to read an amazing story about a girl and her adventures and misfortunes, this is a great book for you.

We want to hear from you!

Book Buzz is the place where bay area readers spread the good word about oh-so-cool books. Got a great book you want others to read? Check out the "Writing for Book Buzz" tips, e-mail your book recommendation to hollysatkins@yahoo.com and then step back to see your name in print. You can also mail your submission to Writing for Book Buzz, c/o St. Petersburg Times, Newspaper in Education, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.

1. What "wowed" you about the book? What made this book soar above the others you have read?

2. Pretend your best friend is sitting next to you, and you're talking about a great book you just read. That's how writing for Book Buzz should sound.

3. Tell us a little about the book, but not too much. Reading a long, long summary is, well, boring. We're not about boring here.

4. Remember the "grabber." An attention-grabbing first sentence makes your readers want to go on to the rest of the recommendation. An attention-grabbing final sentence makes them glad they did.

5. Don't forget the facts. We need to know the exact title and author of the book so we can get our hands on it, too.

6. Let us know who you are: first and last name, age, grade, the school you attend and where it is located.

[Last modified November 5, 2004, 11:56:56]