What do you think?
Rate this book
Free Willy
Free Willy: A Novelization
Eleven-year-old Jesse tries to find a way to free his new friend, a 7,000-pound killer whale named Willy, from a miserable existence as the star attraction at an amusement park.
117 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1993
3 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Todd Strasser
221 books797 followersTodd Strasser is an American author of more than 130 novels for adults, young-adults, and middle graders.
His most recent novel is Summer of '69
Booklist review: "Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll, those hallmarks of the summer of 1969, are all here, but there's so much more. In this loosely autobiographical novel, Strasser introduces 18-year-old Lucas, who is bright and sensitive but also a screw up…. The picture painted of the Woodstock music festival shows the dark side of peace and love, and the prevalence of drugs is on almost every page…The best part of the book, however, is the one that transcends eras: Lucas' introspection as he contemplates his place in the world."
Kirkus review: "Strasser perfectly captures the golden haze of youth and life on the cusp of adulthood. Readers fascinated with this time period will find much to enjoy... Vietnam, Woodstock, road trips, and acid trips: a sweetly bittersweet, surprising, even melancholy bildungsroman set against a world in flux. Groovy, man."
His most recent young adult novel is Price of Duty:
2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
“Compact and suspenseful, the novel raises important questions about war.” – Kirkus
“This thought-provoking book is both welcome and imperative.” – Booklist * (starred review).
"Rather than attempting to sway the reader, it offers awareness." - VOYA
“Tightly wound and compelling ... appropriate for an older middle school and high school audience. VERDICT: Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal
Bio: Todd was born in New York City. When he was young his parents moved to Roslyn Heights, New York (Long Island). Todd went to the I.U. Willets Elementary school and then attended the Wheatley School for junior high and high school. His best subjects were math and science. He also liked to read, but he had trouble with spelling and grammar, and didn't do well in English. His favorite sports were tennis, skiing and fishing. Todd went to college at New York University for a few years, and then dropped out. He lived on a commune, then lived in Europe where he was a street musician.
All the while, Todd wrote songs and poems and lots of letters to his friends back home. Finally he decided to try being a writer. He returned to the United States and went to Beloit College where he studied literature and writing.
After college, Todd worked at the Middletown Times Herald-Record newspaper in Middletown, New York, and later at Compton Advertising in New York City. In 1978, Todd sold his first novel, Angel Dust Blues. He used the money to start the Dr. Wing Tip Shoo fortune cookie company. For the next 12 years, Todd sold more fortune cookies than books.
Todd now divides his time between writing books and speaking at schools and conferences. When he's at home, he likes to spend time with his children and dog, Cooper. He still likes to play tennis and ski, but his favorite new sport is surfing.
His most recent novel is Summer of '69
Booklist review: "Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll, those hallmarks of the summer of 1969, are all here, but there's so much more. In this loosely autobiographical novel, Strasser introduces 18-year-old Lucas, who is bright and sensitive but also a screw up…. The picture painted of the Woodstock music festival shows the dark side of peace and love, and the prevalence of drugs is on almost every page…The best part of the book, however, is the one that transcends eras: Lucas' introspection as he contemplates his place in the world."
Kirkus review: "Strasser perfectly captures the golden haze of youth and life on the cusp of adulthood. Readers fascinated with this time period will find much to enjoy... Vietnam, Woodstock, road trips, and acid trips: a sweetly bittersweet, surprising, even melancholy bildungsroman set against a world in flux. Groovy, man."
His most recent young adult novel is Price of Duty:
2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
“Compact and suspenseful, the novel raises important questions about war.” – Kirkus
“This thought-provoking book is both welcome and imperative.” – Booklist * (starred review).
"Rather than attempting to sway the reader, it offers awareness." - VOYA
“Tightly wound and compelling ... appropriate for an older middle school and high school audience. VERDICT: Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal
Bio: Todd was born in New York City. When he was young his parents moved to Roslyn Heights, New York (Long Island). Todd went to the I.U. Willets Elementary school and then attended the Wheatley School for junior high and high school. His best subjects were math and science. He also liked to read, but he had trouble with spelling and grammar, and didn't do well in English. His favorite sports were tennis, skiing and fishing. Todd went to college at New York University for a few years, and then dropped out. He lived on a commune, then lived in Europe where he was a street musician.
All the while, Todd wrote songs and poems and lots of letters to his friends back home. Finally he decided to try being a writer. He returned to the United States and went to Beloit College where he studied literature and writing.
After college, Todd worked at the Middletown Times Herald-Record newspaper in Middletown, New York, and later at Compton Advertising in New York City. In 1978, Todd sold his first novel, Angel Dust Blues. He used the money to start the Dr. Wing Tip Shoo fortune cookie company. For the next 12 years, Todd sold more fortune cookies than books.
Todd now divides his time between writing books and speaking at schools and conferences. When he's at home, he likes to spend time with his children and dog, Cooper. He still likes to play tennis and ski, but his favorite new sport is surfing.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 12, 2023
Free Willy just seems to get better every time I read it. I've read it at least 4 times by now, but it still seems like a book with excitement on each page.
August 28, 2014
I really would liked this book to be longer. I loved this book as much as I loved the movie, and like the movie, I cried at the end. Animals can make a difference.
"You ever look into Willy's eyes?....Orcas discovered the stars before man was even a whisper on this planet. an orca can look into a man's soul if he wants"
"Their social structure is very important to them.......Some will stay together their whole lives."
"Salanaa Eiyung Ayeses."
"Most orcas loved to be touched, patted, hugged, anything like that."
"You ever look into Willy's eyes?....Orcas discovered the stars before man was even a whisper on this planet. an orca can look into a man's soul if he wants"
"Their social structure is very important to them.......Some will stay together their whole lives."
"Salanaa Eiyung Ayeses."
"Most orcas loved to be touched, patted, hugged, anything like that."
January 13, 2021
So, this was probably a kids' book, maybe middle school aged. It was a novelized book about the movie, which I have never seen, but know the gist of the story. So I read it and it actually made me cry at the end. That doesn't happen often, so it gets 5 stars.
January 31, 2015
I finished reading this today. It's an inspiring story of a boy with a rough start on life, being given the opportunity to accomplish something worthwhile.
December 10, 2023
Es una de las películas favoritas de mi infancia
Ya que mi animal favorito es la Orca
Así que tenía que tener en mis manos si o si la historia de Jesse y Willy
Un niño que a su corta edad ha pasado por el abandono de sus padres y encuentra su rinconcito en un parque de atracciones donde tienen una Orca para entretener al público
La unión entre niño y animal es tan fuerte que los dos se ayudarán a sanar y ser libres
Ya que mi animal favorito es la Orca
Así que tenía que tener en mis manos si o si la historia de Jesse y Willy
Un niño que a su corta edad ha pasado por el abandono de sus padres y encuentra su rinconcito en un parque de atracciones donde tienen una Orca para entretener al público
La unión entre niño y animal es tan fuerte que los dos se ayudarán a sanar y ser libres
March 21, 2024
Youtube
July 31, 2024
Was a short read which took me back to my childhood loving the free Willy movie. Not too much thought was put into the book, although I did replay the movie in my head.
August 8, 2024
bitch ass man who wanted to dismantle the best bond ever
June 22, 2010
A fun read about a troubled kid and the orca he cares about.
March 17, 2017
Åh! Fan, vad jag ville vara Jesse när jag var liten.
Want to read
February 20, 2014i love this book
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews