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Cover of Isabel of the Whales

Isabel of the Whales

Hester Velmans (2005)

SubgenreEpic Fantasy
Age groupMiddle Grade 8-12
Content ratingPG
Pages (Standard (250-400))
SeriesIsabel of the Whales #1
Setting
CSM age10
Goodreads4.26
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Content levels

ViolenceNone
Sexual contentNone
LanguageNone

Trigger warnings

Not yet tagged

Positive tags

AdventureSelf-DiscoveryComing of AgeHeartwarming

Heroine archetypes

Coming-of-Age HeroineFish out of Water

Protagonist archetypes

Chosen OneShapeshifter

Tropes

Chosen OneShapeshiftersComing of AgeFish out of WaterHidden IdentityLow Magic

Themes

IdentityBelongingHuman-Animal ConnectionSelf-DiscoveryTransformationEnvironmental Awareness

Synopsis

On a whale watch trip with her class off the coast of Cape Cod, Isabel, who has always had an affinity for whales, falls overboard and discovers as she finds herself swimming underwater with whales all around her that she is one of the Chosen who can change shape from human to whale and back again.

Is Isabel of the Whales appropriate for my child?

Suitable for most readers 10 and up.

A gentle middle-grade fantasy about a girl who discovers she can transform into a whale. The story focuses on self-discovery and connection to nature with no violence, romance, or mature content.

What to know going in

This book has no graphic violence, no sexual content, and clean language.

Who'll love this

Kids who love ocean animals and wish they could swim with whales will be captivated by Isabel's magical transformation ability.

Tags

Contemporary FantasyAnimal FantasyMagical Realism