Whispers from the Bay: A Dolphin Chronicles Book

by: John Tkac

Published by: Southeast Books

Reviewed by Stephanie Boyd

Mike Connelly is a special little boy living on Key Biscayne Island off the coast of Miami. Although Mike is usually a quiet boy who doesn’t like to talk because he stutters, he has a unique connection to dolphins that allows him to communicate with them in his mind so he can talk freely with them. Through this connection Mike and his dolphin friends find adventure and a deep, loyal friendship. When a dolphin is in trouble, Mike runs to try and save it–and in return when Mike finds himself in danger, the dolphins race to his aide. Mike also discovers a secret known only to the dolphins that he must protect at all cost, and some day this secret may change the course of the world. That is a big task for a little boy. Can Mike live up to it?

This is a very interesting story. If you could talk to dolphins would you be able to keep it a secret? That is what Mike must do to keep the dolphins(and probably himself) safe from people who would exploit or misunderstand his gift. Mike is a personable little boy and I was fascinated by all the information about dolphins and the idea that he could talk with the dolphins. I loved that the dolphins loved books and ask Mike to read to them as often as he could.

This story is supposed to be the first book of a five-book series, and I think it is off to a good start. Mike and the dolphins find a lot of things to explore and trouble to get into, which makes for some adventurous times. Hints are planted through the story to tease the reader with what may be coming next in another book and hopefully readers won’t have a long wait for the next installment!

I am always searching for books that interest kids in reading and this is a good candidate for kids who like animal stories, nature stories, or dolphins.

Armchair Interviews says: Interesting read for Middle Readers (10-14).

Author’s Web site: http://www.WhispersFromTheBay.com