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76th out of 128 books
—
55 voters
The Song of the Whales
Michael’s grandfather has a secret—a secret that’s almost too strange to share . . .
When Michael moves to Israel, he leaves loneliness behind and steps into the light of his grandfather’s magic. Like a sorcerer’s apprentice, Michael learns how to blur the lines between dreams and reality when his grandfather hands down the most precious of gifts—a gift that allows Michael...more
When Michael moves to Israel, he leaves loneliness behind and steps into the light of his grandfather’s magic. Like a sorcerer’s apprentice, Michael learns how to blur the lines between dreams and reality when his grandfather hands down the most precious of gifts—a gift that allows Michael...more
Hardcover, 112 pages
Published
April 12th 2010
by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
(first published 1997)
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What an odd story. On so many levels I struggled with this book, but what made me dislike it the most is the fact that I think it's just too strange to connect with children. The story is disjointed, often popping into a new scene without warning, and the words don't always seem to sit nicely next to one another either. For a typical English-speaking child, I think they would be lost and wandering all the way through this story.
Now, if he had written this book for adults then I would like it bet...more
Now, if he had written this book for adults then I would like it bet...more
Michael is a ten-year-old boy who finds it easier to get along with adults than kids his age. He has many adult friends in his neighbourhood who he assists in their various vocations: Mr. Rapp the jeweller, Mr. O’Grady the junk dealer, and Mr. Albert the Bookbinder. Each of these relationships fosters a particular love for Michael - for gems, keys, and books - which he in turn collects.
Michael’s family moves from Port Washington to Jerusalem to be closer to Michael’s elderly grandfather. Michael...more
Michael’s family moves from Port Washington to Jerusalem to be closer to Michael’s elderly grandfather. Michael...more
I wanted to read this book when I noticed the author had won the Hans Christian Andersen Award (presented by the International Board on Books for Young People for an author's body of work). The author, Uri Orlev, is Israeli. In this story Michael and his family move from New York to Jerusalem in order to be near his aging grandfather. Michael (now called Mikha'el) is an introvert, something of a loner, who prefers the company of adults. He and his grandfather become fast friends. His grandfather...more
There were some nice images and moments in this book, but it was also a bit creepy. The grandson and grandfather kept climbing into one another's beds to share their dreams (literally), and each time that was mentioned I was bothered just a bit by it. And some of the dreams were nice but some were manipulative of other people and sometimes the grandfather was hurtful.
Product Description
Michael’s grandfather has a secret—a secret that’s almost too strange to share . . .
When Michael moves to Israe...more
Product Description
Michael’s grandfather has a secret—a secret that’s almost too strange to share . . .
When Michael moves to Israe...more
Imagine meeting your grandfather for the first time because your family moves to be closer to him before he dies. Imagine what it would be like if you could draw people into your dreams and enter theirs. Imagine if this was the gift your grandfather gave you.
Mikha’el is 10 years old when he moves with his parents from New York to Jerusalem to be closer to his grandfather who is old and sick. He instantly bonds with his grandfather and they start spending all their free time together. Mikha’el st...more
Mikha’el is 10 years old when he moves with his parents from New York to Jerusalem to be closer to his grandfather who is old and sick. He instantly bonds with his grandfather and they start spending all their free time together. Mikha’el st...more
The "Song of the Whales" explores the relationship between a grandfather and grandson in Israel. This is a short novel, episodic in pacing. Much of the narrative qualifies as a novel-in-dreams.
Mikha'el has never quite fit in with his American classmates, instead spending his free time with various adult friends. When he moves to Israel, that trend continues as he forms an instant bond with his grandfather and continues to correspond with his American friends. The pacing is a bit jarring--after f...more
Mikha'el has never quite fit in with his American classmates, instead spending his free time with various adult friends. When he moves to Israel, that trend continues as he forms an instant bond with his grandfather and continues to correspond with his American friends. The pacing is a bit jarring--after f...more
I thought this was a beautiful, poignant story of the love between a grandson and his grandfather, but not one that most children will be likely to pick up. The sensibility is better for adults. The story is simple on the surface--a boy and his family move back to Israel, supposedly to take care of an aging grandfather but their real reason seems to be to make sure that the grandfather's younger housekeeper/companion does not wind up inheriting the entire sizeable estate. The boy has never fit i...more
Michael, 11, has always felt more comfortable around old people than kids his age. He loves watching them with their collection of antiques, of old stuff that nobody notices. So when Michael moves from New York to Jerusalem, he naturally begins a friendship with his ailing grandfather.
However, this friendship takes an unusual turn not long after. For Grandpa possesses a gift: he can bring Michael into his dreams.
Together, they ride bicycles, fly through the neighbourhood and grind knives throug...more
However, this friendship takes an unusual turn not long after. For Grandpa possesses a gift: he can bring Michael into his dreams.
Together, they ride bicycles, fly through the neighbourhood and grind knives throug...more
YA fiction that won an award. It started out good then got kind of weird. It is told from the perspective of a young Israeli boy who spends his childhood in NYC then moves back to Israel with his parents to be near his aging grandfather. The boy is more comfortable with adults so becoming friends with his grandpa comes easy. He soon finds out he shares a special bond with his grandfather and can join him in his dreams.
The story is beautifully written in the first half and continues with a good n...more
The story is beautifully written in the first half and continues with a good n...more
This book is quite unusual that was suggested in the international children's group on Goodreads, for this month.
This is a short novel about a boy called Mikha'el who feels more comfortable interacting with older people. When his family moves from New York to Israel he learns about his grandfathers' secret, he can share his dreams while sleeping. The relationship between Mikha'el and his grandfather strengthens as he learns more about it and they his grandfather brings him into his dreams. Some...more
This is a short novel about a boy called Mikha'el who feels more comfortable interacting with older people. When his family moves from New York to Israel he learns about his grandfathers' secret, he can share his dreams while sleeping. The relationship between Mikha'el and his grandfather strengthens as he learns more about it and they his grandfather brings him into his dreams. Some...more
i can't decide how i feel about this book. i read it over a doctor's visit and it was one of those books that i probably couldn't have put down, no matter where i was reading it. however, it was also one of those books that i felt i read too fast. maybe i missed something b/c of the pace at which i read it. ??? it had some very interesting, very profound thoughts,... quotes, but then in other places i felt like things didn't quite connect. i'm wondering if it had more to do with the translation....more
It is not always that you get to read about dreams. And this little book for kids does just that. This book is about Michael or Mikha'el (Mee-kha-EL - that's how his name was pronounced in Israel) who has to move to Jerusalem from Washington because his parents want to be near his old Grandpa. Michael is not like kids his age, he doesn't have friends his age and mingles well with grown - ups and likes to help them with there work. His parents who are always busy with work have little to no time...more
Jun 21, 2010
Shellie (Layers of Thought)
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Shellie (Layers of Thought) by:
Net Galley
3.5 stars actually
Original review posted at Layers of Thought
A sweet and mostly realistic tale, with touches of the magical. The story addresses connections to loved ones after death.
Mini Synopsis: This is a translated work which is a sweet and fantastic tale about a young boy whose family moves to Israel from New York to care for his aging and dying grandfather. Michael, his American name, is a loner of a child and prefers adult company to that of children. He is comfortable with this move sinc...more
Small book, very odd, I don't know what kids would like it. Kind of magical realism. Self proclaimed different kid learns how to be a dream master from his grandfather after his family moves to Israel to be there and make sure to collect their inheritance rather than having it go to the housekeeper. The real inheritance is not the stuff. If I am still thinking about this book in a month or so I'll up it to 4.
Michael's family moves to Israel to be near his grandfather, and as he grows closer to his grandfather, Michael discovers his grandfather's secret ability to manipulate dreams. While the grandfather's relationship with his housekeeper and some unusual imagery makes this unsuitable for religious audiences, the magical realism and intergenerational relationship make for a powerful read.
Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com
When Michael's family moves to Israel to be closer to family, Michael quickly strikes up a friendship with his grandfather. As time goes by, the elderly man shows the boy how he can control his dreams and be with his grandfather in the dream world.
Dangers in the form of his grandfather's failing health and an overbearing housekeeper threaten to end the two's friendship. Will Michael be able to continue enjoying his grandfather's dreams with him, or will the...more
When Michael's family moves to Israel to be closer to family, Michael quickly strikes up a friendship with his grandfather. As time goes by, the elderly man shows the boy how he can control his dreams and be with his grandfather in the dream world.
Dangers in the form of his grandfather's failing health and an overbearing housekeeper threaten to end the two's friendship. Will Michael be able to continue enjoying his grandfather's dreams with him, or will the...more
Short, sweet story. Michael's family has just moved to Israel to be near his grandfather. Michael has always felt different and gotten along better with grown ups than other kids. Then Michael learns that his grandfather has a unique talent to take others into his dreams as well as to fix other people's dreams.
This was a short, strangely beautiful book about a young boy who enters his grandfather's dreams. There's some mess about an inheritance, but mainly, Michael's legacy from his grandfather is this ability to go in and out of dreams.
Translated from Yiddish; has a fun, slightly foreign feel.
Translated from Yiddish; has a fun, slightly foreign feel.
Jan 25, 2011
Starkville Public Library Young Adult Section
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
kids-books-worth-reading
Michael doesn't fit in with other children. He prefers to spend time with interesting adults or with his collections. But when he and his parents move to Israel to live near his grandfather, Michael forms a wonderful friendship with his grandfather--and discovers a mystical family secret.
When Michael’s family moves to Israel to be with his ailing grandfather, Michael realizes that his grandfather has a special gift. Michael guesses it has something to do with his dreams and begs his grandfather to share the secret with him.
Saw this at the library and was intrigued. Turned out to be an interesting and at times moving exploration of friendship,love, loneliness, death and family (not as cliche as it sounds). It jumps around a bit and doesn't always flow smoothly but it has am appropriate dreamlike quality and the central relationship is quite touching.
Frankly, I liked the book better before the dreams began, even though that is the whole premise of the story. It was kind of an odd little book, but also had some lovely moments. I did like the way the last dream ended.
Michael and his parents leave their home in Port Washington and move to Israel to be near Michael's aging grandfather. Michael soon discovers that he and has grandfather are both handy and they become inseparable. Michael's grandfather has a magical talent involving dreams and he shares this Michael.
Orlev creates an amazing voice for Michael. His narrative is mesmerizing and most definitely pulls the reader into the story. I was intrigued by the grandfather's talent and will think of he and Mich...more
Orlev creates an amazing voice for Michael. His narrative is mesmerizing and most definitely pulls the reader into the story. I was intrigued by the grandfather's talent and will think of he and Mich...more
The Song of the Whales is about a boy who learns the importance of helping others and of dreams. His Grandpa takes him into his dreams, and shows him how to help others. This book was short, but good and had a relatively simple plot.
A little odd. I can't remember if I got this book suggestion from the Tribune or Family fun. I also wanted more detail than this short book offered.
This book is my least favorite from Orlev. Maybe if it was by any other author I would have rated it higher; I have big expectations from Orlev!!
Inception for kids. Nice quote early on about print books.
May 17, 2013
Joana Abreu
marked it as to-read
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| Children's Books: August 2011 - The Song of the Whales (Israel) | 16 | 31 | Oct 04, 2011 08:31pm |
Uri Orlev (Hebrew: אורי אורלב; born Jerzy Henryk Orlowski in 1931) is an award-winning Israeli children's author and translator of Polish-Jewish origin. Born in Warsaw, Poland, he survived the war years in the Warsaw Ghetto and the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp (where he was sent after his mother was shot by the Nazis). After the war he moved to Israel. He began writing children's literature i...more
More about Uri Orlev...
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Apr 08, 2010 12:48am