Product Description

A shocking tragedy leaves Sarah Richardson with partial amnesia. Captivated by Native Indian legends told by a wise Nootka grandmother, Sarah begins her journey for the truth hidden amongst her lost memories.

Torn by nightmares and visions of a yellow-eyed wolf, Sarah must come face to face with her fears and her memories. Aided by the creatures of the Earth and by the killer whales that call to her in the night, Sarah discovers that 'forgiveness sets you free'.

Whale Song is a sensationally emotional coming-of-age story, set in the late 1970's and beyond, about a young American girl growing up on Vancouver Island.

A heartbreaking story of a tragedy that nearly destroys a young girl's future, Whale Song is a revelation of truth, love and forgiveness.

If you listen closely, you can almost hear the Whale Song...

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About the Cover:

The painting used on the front cover of Whale Song is called 'Sanctuary', and was painted by artist, David Miller, who lives in California, USA.

"David C. Miller is an internationally acclaimed marine artist who's work has graced the covers of everything from greeting cards to jigsaw puzzles, but his best work has always been done on lexan and canvas. His use of acrylics have earned him acclaim from art critics as well as environmentalists. David's personal pursuit has always been that of environmental preservation. His portfolio includes commissioned works for such prestigious foundations as Sea Turtles of the World, an environmental group protecting endangered sea turtles, and The Franklin Mint, part of the proceeds from the porcelain heirloom collectors plates goes to the Save The Dolphin program. His work is also shown in many prestigious Aquariums across the nation...David's art is shown in scores of galleries across the United States, Japan, Australia, and Europe."

The full cover was designed by Charles Biddiscombe (guerilladesign@yahoo.com), a talented graphic artist, residing in Edmonton.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1928048 in Books
• Published on: 2003-09-16
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

From Booklist
Originally published in Canada in 2003 (but never distributed in the U.S.), this moving story features Sarah Richardson, whose family moves from the Montana countryside to Vancouver Island just as she's about to enter sixth grade. Sarah soon finds that island life suits her perfectly--thanks, especially, to her new best friend, Goldie, whose Native American heritage Sarah finds fascinating, especially the wisdom passed to the girls from Goldie's grandmother, Nana. Sarah is also intrigued to learn that her marine-biologist father shares a passion with her new Indian friends: killer whales, which the natives revere and her father studies. Life isn't all native spirituality, however, as Sarah must confront a family tragedy that will change her life forever. Though overly melodramatic in places, Tardif's story has that perennially crowd-pleasing combination of sweet and sad that so often propels popular commercial fiction, especially coming-of-age stories. Tardif, already a big hit in Canada, may soon be a name to reckon with south of the border. Mary Frances Wilkens
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From the Author
Whale Song is currently being considered for a movie option by a leading Canadian film producer.

From the Inside Flap
I once feared death. It is said that death begins with the absence of life. And life begins when death is no longer feared. I have stared death in the face and survived. I am a survivor who has learned about unfailing love and forgiveness. I realize now that I am but a tiny fragment in an endless ocean of life, just as a killer whale is a speck in her immense underwater domain. I spent years fighting my fragmented memories, imprisoned by guilt and betrayal. Locked away in darkness, I learned lessons from Seagull, Whale and Wolf. What I remember the most about my childhood are the happy times, the excursions in the schooner and the sunlight reflecting off deep blue water. I can still see in my mind the mist of water spouting from the surface and a ripple opening softly to release the dorsal fin of a killer whale. Most of all I remember the eerie, plaintive song of the whale caught on the electronic equipment of the boat. Her song still echoes in my mind, like a long-forgotten memory...