About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is starting to ask complex questions about global conflict, scarcity, or the balance between human needs and environmental preservation. Set in Nazi-occupied Paris, this lyrical adventure follows twelve-year-old Chantal as she discovers a lost whale in the Seine River. While the city suffers from hunger and fear, Chantal finds a sense of purpose in protecting this majestic creature from those who would harm it for food or sport. It is a beautifully written bridge for discussing how hope and empathy can survive even in the darkest historical periods. While the setting is somber, the story remains accessible and age-appropriate for middle-grade readers, focusing on the power of a single person to make a difference. Parents will appreciate how it handles historical trauma through a lens of wonder and resilience.
