Leiren-Young provides several stories to support his premises and exploration into this species; the stories add high interest level to the reading…Highly recommended for middle school libraries; supports science curriculum, activism and preservation.

A valuable, extensive examination of what we’ve learned about orcas, filling a spot as an up-to-date reference among the many books in publication about this topic. Highly Recommended.

Pages filled with photographs, impassioned narrative, “Orca Bites” (facts), and further research resources make this title one for all libraries.

A marvelous overview of orcas and their place in history as well a chronicle of their challenges in the past and into the future."

This informative non-fiction title will encourage a love of killer whales and all things aquatic. Readers will enjoy uncovering the mysteries of whales while proving they are not the monsters humans once thought them to be.

This inviting book will be treasured by kids—a fun way to discover orcas and the sea.

"Told in an accessible, conversational style, this is a book for children and adults to enjoy. It opened my eyes to so much I didn't know about orcas. It's also a real page-turner. Leiren-Young never condescends to his readers; he tells it like it is, and 'like it is' is not always pretty. But he gives hope for the future and offers up achievable steps we can take to help. This is, quite simply, an important and beautiful book."

An amazingly accessible and fun book that explores our relationship with whales over millennia. The reality of their complex and intelligent behavior should give anyone pause in assuming human superiority.”

The reader will certainly learn much about these fascinating, intelligent, and beautiful creatures, and hopefully will understand why they need to be protected.

Pages filled with photographs, impassioned narrative, “Orca Bites” (facts), and further research resources make this title one for all libraries.

11/08/2019

Gr 4–7—Leiren-Young, an activist and filmmaker in British Columbia, outlines the history of human interaction with killer whales, dating back to ancient Rome. He also explains recent changes in human understanding of the mammals and the treatment of whales in captivity. Coverage of orca behavior in families and groups is especially illuminating. The plentiful photos and illustrations spotlight orcas in the wild. The final chapter contains a list of what can be done to ensure species conservation, such as reducing plastic usage and becoming politically active. Testimonies from four young activists provide a human connection. While it keeps a conversational, occasionally snarky tone that middle graders might appreciate, the narrative is too often laced with vague statements such as "most people now admit," "some people believe," and "almost everyone thought." The two-page list of resources includes books, websites, videos, and audio programs. While photos are credited, there are no source notes. Clear citations of scientific research are lacking. VERDICT While the subject is important and the text is engaging and appealing, with illustrations and helpful sidebars throughout, the lack of rigorous documentation makes this title an additional purchase.—Bob Hassett, Luther Jackson Middle School, Falls Church, VA

2019-06-25
Leiren-Young explores basic facts about orcas as well as the sobering history of continued human maltreatment of these whales.

The documentary filmmaker (The Hundred-Year-Old Whale) shares his extensive knowledge of orca culture and history with plentiful photographs. The book is approachable, the design maintaining a nice balance of text to sidebar to photograph. It is visually consistent: All callouts are called "Orca Bites," photographs are labeled clearly, and chapters are designed similarly. The biggest struggle for readers is making sense of the order in which information is presented. A very helpful section about the different types of orcas with an illustrated guide doesn't appear until Chapter 15, for example, even though several of those different ecotypes (classification of orcas into different species has proven difficult, hence the term) are referred to prior. Some of the "Orca Bites" are not aligned with their relevant photographs or are otherwise distracting. The narrative dips in and out of first person, which makes for an unbalanced tone. Disappointingly, Leiren-Young takes liberties by explaining what historical figures thought and felt without any direct citations or quotations. Readers should be prepared for the (rightfully included) gruesome and upsetting history of human treatment of whales. It's a call to action for animal rights even if, as nonfiction, it's uneven.

A fascinating subject related with passion—but also with poor organization. (glossary, resources, acknowledgements, index) (Nonfiction. 9-12)