Iris is a whiz with electronics, searching for scrap parts and fixing up old radios. Being the only deaf student at her school makes her feel isolated and misunderstood. When Iris discovers Blue 55, a whale unable to communicate with other whales, she’s determined to invent a way to “sing” to him—to help him feel less alone.
Song for a Whale
Discuss the Book
Rhyming Signs Chapters 1–12
- Important Moment: Iris is deaf. Her teacher Ms. Conn puts a red mark across Iris’s assignment and comments that her poem doesn’t rhyme. Iris explains that the poem rhymes in sign language.
- Ask and Share: Why does Ms. Conn cross out Iris’s poem? How do you think it made Iris feel? How could Ms. Conn handle Iris’s poem and ideas with more care?
A Moment Misunderstood Chapters 13–24
- Important Moment: Iris’s dad is not deaf and doesn’t understand as much sign language as Iris does. When Iris asks to go to Alaska to visit the whale Blue 55, she can tell her dad isn’t following along.
- Ask and Share: Why is Iris frustrated when her parents tell her she can’t go to Alaska to meet Blue 55? Have you ever felt you weren’t being listened to? How did it feel?
A Maddening Message Chapters 25–36
- Important Moment: When Iris learns the scientists won’t play her song for Blue 55, she is so mad, she wants to throw her phone at the wall and watch Andi’s update shatter into a thousand pieces.
- Ask and Share: Why does Iris want to throw her phone at the wall? Have you felt that angry before? Why? What can you try if you’re ever feeling this way?
Racing the Clock Chapters 37–48
- Important Moment: While traveling to try to find Blue 55, Iris faces obstacle after obstacle. Yet she keeps pushing forward, not knowing if she’s too late to succeed.
- Ask and Share: Is Iris the type of person to give up? Can you think of a time when you felt determined to do something? Is there someone (or someplace) you feel really motivated to meet (or visit)?