Why the Whales Came

This is a delightful novel about two children living on the small Scilly Isle of Bryher on the eve of the First World War, who befriend an outcast from the community, known as the Birdman, who hides a secret relating to the evacuation of the nearby island of Samson during his youth. It's a lovely story, which gives a good feel for the ebb and flow of island life, and shows how communities can, at their best, pull together to achieve a common goal, but at their worst seek to scapegoat an outsider. While this is nominally aimed at children, it's a great read for all ages, especially if you have been or will be going to the Scilly Isles.

A friend of mine mentioned narwhals, and they'd recently been featured on the BBC, so inevitably I had an urge to re-read this favourite children's book. This tells the story of Gracie and Daniel, living in the Scilly Isles during the first world war, their unlikely friendship with the Birdman - considered by locals to be mad and dangerous, and the curse of nearby Samson island. When a whale is washed up on the beach it seems they have brought the curse on themselves, but can they save the whale? And will that be enough to save themselves? Adventure and a little mystery, this is a lovely book.

Although it was quite a predictable story, plot-wise, I still really enjoyed it. I liked how the story was told in the point of view of a child, rather than an adult. It's a bit refreshing, I think. I was very slightly annoyed by how the conversations were carried out, though. It sounded a bit like an annoying, too-curious child. Haha.

I also found the ending a little too 'simple'. I think that the villagers caved in a little too easily with minimum persuasion. And although Big Tim was one of the last ones to comply, I still thought that realistically, it wouldn't have taken that quick to convince a whole village to do the compete opposite of what they've been led to believe their entire lives, and probably generations before.

Either show more way, I loved it and I would really love to read more from the author. show less

This story is set on a remote island in the days leading up to World War I. 'You keep away from the Birdman,' warned Gracie's father. 'Keep well clear of him, you hear me now?' But Gracie and her friend Daniel discover the Birdman isn't mad or dangerous as everyone says. Yet he does warn them to stay away from the abandoned Samson Island - he says it's cursed. And when the children are stranded on Samson by fog, Gracie returns to hear tragic news. Could the Samson Island be cursed like the Birdman says? When a narwhal is beached on the sand of their island, it seems that the curse is about to strike their home. Together Birdman and the children save the narwhals and their community.

Gracie and Daniel know they are not to go near the Birdman. But is the Birdman really the dangerous figure others say?

A little story about perceptions and war and curses and prejudice that will get even young children thinking about important ideas. (less)

The small isle of Bryher in the Scilly Isles, 1914. Best friends Grace and Daniel have been warned to keep away from the Birdman and from nearby Samson island. But with the arrival of the swans they have run out of places to sail their homemade boats.... a message made from seashells in the sand makes them question how dangerous the Birdman really is.

The book is ok, I read it in class.I would have never read if we didn't read it in class.