A Galaxy of Whales - by Heather Fawcett

About the Book

Eleven-year-old Fern grapples with her father's death, a distant best friend, and a failing family business, but discovers an unexpected connection with neighbor Jasper as they collaborate on a photography contest and attempt to photograph an endangered pod of killer whales.

Book Synopsis

A perfect summer read about whale watching and friendship both lost and found, from the author of Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries and The Islands of Elsewhere

When Fern hears about a photo contest with a big cash award, she decides she'll enter and win! After all, photography is her passion (and was an interest she shared with her dad, who has recently died). She knows she can take a prize-worthy photo of a whale during one of the whale-watching tours her mom runs.

But her neighbor (and nemesis), Jasper, is also planning to enter the contest. It's another frustration for Fern while she's already coping with the worry that her best friend, Ivy, might not want to spend time with her anymore. She's hoping to use the prize money to buy something that will attract Ivy's interest.

This summer story has everything: the trials and pleasures of friendship, a rousing feud and a touch of adventure, a beautiful exploration of healing after grief, a very moving finale, and a whole lot of whale-watching fascination.

Review Quotes

"Fawcett gracefully blends the immediate experiences of her awkward but determined protagonist with a warmhearted, humorous look at a small Salish Sea community. Funny, tender, and engagingly poignant." --Kirkus

"This sweet, summery story focuses on a small slice of life in a Canadian coastal town, but its poignant portrayal of grief and growth is universally applicable. Fern's moments of wonder and frustration are especially relatable, and her supporting cast is a delight, including an antagonistic but affectionate brother and a ghostly attic possum on patrol. An enthralling examination of the gut-wrenching and beautiful inevitability of change." --Booklist

"Fawcett eschews traditional tropes surrounding friendship breakups by imbuing Fern and Ivy's relationship with nuance and tenderly depicting Fern's struggles to maintain relationships as those dynamics shift. Organically incorporated lessons regarding endangered animals and environmental challenges add further depth."--Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Heather Fawcett writes books for adults, kids, and teens, including Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, The Islands of Elsewhere, the Even the Darkest Stars series, Ember and the Ice Dragons, and more. She has a master's degree in English Literature and a bachelor's in Archaeology.