The Last Whale

(Paperback)

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Description

From killers to conservationists, Carnegie-shortlisted Chris Vick tells the story of three generations of the Kristensen family, their history as whale hunters and later their mission to save the great whales and our planet. Summer, the Present Fiery and fierce, computer geek and eco-activist, Abi is holidaying with her grandmother on an island off the Norwegian coast. Having developed and befriended an AI device, Moonlight, she hopes to organise a global protest. On the island, she learns her great-grandfather rejected the family's whaling livelihood, instead creating the first whale song recording. Inspired by him, Abi and Moonlight translate the whales' songs and discover their stories. Whales are under threat, their numbers rapidly dwindling. Abi is determined to help. Autumn, 30 years later The world's ecosystems are collapsing. There is no sight or sound of whales. Abi, her daughter, Tonje, and a now almost conscious Moonlight live on an isolated island in the Atlantic. They search for any sign of whales, but so far there is only silence. Winter, the Future Tonje's search was not in vain. Despite climate crisis and the threat of extinction, there is always hope for the future, as nature and technology combine in a captivating, action-packed adventure with a powerful environmental call to arms.

Reviews

PRAISE FOR GIRL. BOY. SEA.: 'Perfect for your 14-year-old, taking them on a sea voyage that transports them to a world of near death and the discovery of an unlikely friendship' Jasbinder Bilan, Guardian. 'A storm, a shipwreck and a story of survival in a contemporary, timely adventure tinged with legend and fable' Fiona Noble, Bookseller. 'Moral dilemmas, spiritual guidance and human cruelty underpin this rollicking adventure of unlikely friends' Daily Mail. 'This is a thrilling and a magical book. I take my hat off to Chris. It is an absolute gem' Sally Gardner. 'Vick writes vividly about the privations and terrors of their precarious existence and his attention to practical detail brings their hardships into stark relief' * 5* Review, Books for Keeps *

Author Bio

Chris Vick is a graduate of the Bath Spa MA in Writing for Young People. In between writing and teaching, Chris works for a whale and dolphin conservation charity and is a proud member of Authors4Oceans. He lives near Bath with his wife and daughter. Girl. Boy. Sea. (Zephyr) was shortlisted for the 2020 CILIP Carnegie Medal. Find Chris on Twitter @chrisvickwrites and Instagram: @chrisvick321