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60th out of 304 books
—
479 voters
Isabel of the Whales
by
Hester Velmans (Goodreads Author)
Eleven-year-old Isabel is a “plain old” girl living in Provincetown, Massachusetts, who believes that she is destined to accomplish something special. When her fifth-grade class goes on a whale-watch field trip, something amazing happens: Dozens of different species of whales surround the boat, bumping the deck and sending Isabel flying into the ocean. Isabel is shocked to...more
Paperback, 192 pages
Published
July 11th 2006
by Yearling
(first published 2005)
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So I took this from my younger brother's bookshelf a few days ago and read it on a whim!
I wish the author had made Isabel a little older. It's ridiculous to have a relationship (with a whale) when you're eleven, and then hear the freaking whale love song of your life, AND then go on to have a human boyfriend when you're fourteen. Couldn't you have made her at least sixteen in the prologue, Hester Velmans? :( (I understand that there's a follow-up to this book, called Jessaloup's Song, but it jus...more
I wish the author had made Isabel a little older. It's ridiculous to have a relationship (with a whale) when you're eleven, and then hear the freaking whale love song of your life, AND then go on to have a human boyfriend when you're fourteen. Couldn't you have made her at least sixteen in the prologue, Hester Velmans? :( (I understand that there's a follow-up to this book, called Jessaloup's Song, but it jus...more
Magical and thought-provoking. Like Lee Welles' Way of Water from the Gaia Girls' series, this uses an imaginative approach to introduce and address issues of humanity's destruction of the seas. Isabel shapechanges into a whale and we get to experience, firsthand, the beauty and dangers of that life. The whales need protectors like Isabel, like Sea Shepherd, and this beautiful book will sweetly, tearfully recruit them, the whale warriors living in the hearts of compassionate, animal-loving child...more
A favorite of mine, "Isabel of the Whales" is a typical story about an "average girl" who discovers she has magical powers and whatnot. However, I must say that, for another "magical girl" story, "Isabel" is wonderfully new and fresh, and it shines in its own dazzling way.
Most, if not all, the characters were well-developed, lovable, and most of all, memorable! The concept may be unheard of and weirdly unique, but it is nicely executed. A heartwarming storyline, beloved characters, and a relati...more
Most, if not all, the characters were well-developed, lovable, and most of all, memorable! The concept may be unheard of and weirdly unique, but it is nicely executed. A heartwarming storyline, beloved characters, and a relati...more
I remember I read this years ago, and the story and characters still remain strongly in my memory.
I loved how all the interaction between Isabel and the whales, how they were learning from each other. We get to understand much more about the impacts of whaling, and the plot was really touching. The story ended with us wanting for more. I haven't read the second book yet, but I'm currently hunting around for it. Borrowing it just doesn't seem enough.
Isabel of the Whales was the one book that caus...more
I loved how all the interaction between Isabel and the whales, how they were learning from each other. We get to understand much more about the impacts of whaling, and the plot was really touching. The story ended with us wanting for more. I haven't read the second book yet, but I'm currently hunting around for it. Borrowing it just doesn't seem enough.
Isabel of the Whales was the one book that caus...more
I wish it was longer. But such a magical story. It's a very unique and effective story.
A beautiful and pure fantasy for all ages, I only recently discovered this book, and, I have to say I almost could not put it down! Not only is the fantasy part lovely in its imagery, but, the technical facts about the sea creatures are informative and amazing. Any author would be proud to call this tome her own, and, Ms. Velmans should be congratulated. I only hope that one day this is made into a movie of the Disney/Pixar type. It would be an instant classic, not like those forgettable straigh...more
I was attracted to this book ever since my days of working in the Children's section at a bookstore. One of the cover blurbs got to me, "Watch out Little Mermaid, here comes Isabel."
Isabel is an eleven-year-old girl that loves whales so much. Then one day she falls off a boat and gets to be one. She is considered a "mermaid" by the humpback whales (that call themselves "sirens"), which is a human that becomes a whale.
I recommend this book to an eleven-year-old girl that loves whales so much she...more
Isabel is an eleven-year-old girl that loves whales so much. Then one day she falls off a boat and gets to be one. She is considered a "mermaid" by the humpback whales (that call themselves "sirens"), which is a human that becomes a whale.
I recommend this book to an eleven-year-old girl that loves whales so much she...more
I was a little disappointed in this book. It's really more of an "all you ever wanted to know about whales but were afraid to ask" told through the eyes of an 11-year-old girl who actually turns into a whale (that's on the back cover so it's not a spoiler). It wasn't bad, but it wasn't very engaging for me. It was more about telling us how whales live and how awful whale-hunters are than about the girl and her relationships with her whale pod. An easy read, though.
11-year-old Isabel falls off a boat on a whale watching field trip and instead of drowning turns into a humpback whale. Her whale guide, Onijonah, explains that she is one of a select few humans who are turned into whales for a short period of time, sort of a whale exchange student program. She travels with the whales and eventually has to decide whether to stay with them or return to her human form. A cute, if predictable, story.
Good book, strange concept. But I think so often we want authors to try a new or totally different idea. Then when we come across one we label it as 'weird'. This was one of those. Isabel loves whales. When her class goes whale watching field trip she's ecstatic. But what we'll happen when she falls overboard and doesn't come back up? What is going on beneath the surface of the water? I liked this book. Definetly a simpler read.
I Looooved this boook soooo much! i read it in the beginng of the 6th grade.The reason i got this book was because my name happens to be Isabel and i im tottaly in love (obssed) with Whales! i read it it was VERY good i liked itt i would recomend it to a younger readers maybe 5-6 graders a little cheesy i would admit but yes loved it!!
I'm pretty sure I've re-re-andre-re-read it. This was a very important book for me, as it is what made me want to read more, and thus started my love of reading. The characters are extremely loveable, I recommend this book to anyone starting to get into chapter books
I LOVE this book. I got it when I visited the Boston Aquarium, four years ago. I love the relationship between Jessaloup and Isabel and the whole world of the whales is amazing. I love it!
i thought it was interesting how she lived the life of a whale. how the author would have to study the behavior of a whale. that struck me as both time consuming and fun!
This is my favorite book in ths world. I read this book in 3rd grade for a book report. I recomend this book to anybody.
Mar 24, 2009
Carla
marked it as to-read
Cavan loved this book. I'd like to read it myself and remember to suggest it to my other kids Tommy and Sophia.
This is my favorite book ever! It makes me cry everytime I don't know why! I've read it 5 times and I can't get enough!
A great book, gives you lots of info about whales without realizing it, plus believable characters and sturdy plot.
Mar 09, 2011
Heidi
added it
One of my favorite books from a couple of years ago. It's so young but yet so good. I love the character of Jessaloup<3
Isabel of the whales is an awesome book.I like how in the beginning Kristen,Molly,and Isabel play truth or dare.
i read it in 5th grade so its probaly a really easy read now, but that doesnt mean its not GOOD.
This book is amazing! If you want to read a nice, cute and easy book, this is the book for you.
I read this for a book report in middle school, but i still remember how much i loved this book.
This book actually brought me to tears. I know it's a very easy to read kind of book but it is definetly a great one.
One of my favourite books. Very cute story about whales and their journey with a girl.
My favorite book EVER!!! So perfect!!!! OMG I love this book! Read it!!!!
This is an AWESOME book! i recommend it to everyone who hasn't read it!
This was an AMAZING book, full of adventures, humor, and young love.
Isabel of the Whales is a great book to read
read it too long along to remember
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I make my living translating modern novels (French, Dutch into English), but my real love is reserved for writing my own brand of fiction. I have two books for children out: Isabel of the Whales (Delacorte/Yearling) and the recent follow-up, Jessaloup's Song (vanHorton). I also read everything I can get my hands on. I live in Western Massachusetts with my husband Peter, my dog Ruby and a few thous...more
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