Ice Whale

From the most celebrated childrens nature writer of our time comes a posthumous new novel in the tradition of her Newbery award-winning Julie of the Wolves In 1848 a young boy witnesses a rare sightthe birth of a bowhead or ice whale he calls Siku. Years later he unwittingly brings about the death of an entire pod of whales and only Siku survives. For this act the boy receives a curse of banishment. Through the generations this curse is handed down: Siku returns year after year in reality and dreams to haunt the boys descendants. Told in alternating voices both human and whale Jean Craighead Georges last novel shows the interconnectedness of humankind and the animals they depend on. Its a bold wistful and heartfelt coda to a distinguished career.School Library Journal