Watching Whales

School Library Journal

Gr 5-6-- Although a brief introduction to the mammals and the history of whaling is included, the emphasis of this book is a fifth-grade class trip to observe the marine giants off the New England coast. The writing is sometimes stiff and graceless, but the adventure is well chronicled. The students prepare by participating in the whale adoption program (addresses for other such programs are appended). They learn about the types of whales in the area, their migratory habits, and the likelihood of actually seeing them on their trip. Full-color, close-up photographs accompany the discussion. Everything the class sees is textually and visually detailed--prediving behavior, head and flipper slapping, and breaching (of mostly humpback whales). The controversy over whether whale-watching boats are too intrusive and disturbing to the whales is raised, as is the possibility that future classes may not get such an opportunity to observe these gentle giants. --Frances E. Millhouser, Reston Regional Library, VA