Non-Fiction Student Choice

 

52 A Tale of Loneliness

By Johnny DePalma

Summary

This book is a true story about a whale named 52 who speaks at 52 Hz and other whales cannot hear him when he sings. It reviews the feelings and events this whale goes through not being able to speak to other whales. 

Literary Elements

This genre is a non-fiction book. The theme is about exploring loneliness and what this whale named 52 does since he cannot speak to other whales. The illustrations are vivid and enhance the story with beautiful visuals helping the reader feel what the whale might be feeling.

Activities

1. If you were whale 52 what would you do with your time since other whales cannot hear you?
2. Draw yourself like whale 52 and other friends you would have in the sea since your other whales friends cannot hear you

Reader Response

1. Why can't the other whales hear whale 52?
2. What does whale 52 do with his time since the other whales cannot hear him? How do you think or feel about whale 52 being lonely?

Personal Thoughts & Similar Works

I felt this book covered a tough topic about being lonely very well while also using a true story about whale 52. Being lonely is a hard topic to talk about with adults and the author was able to review what it feels like being lonely at a child's level. A similar book is Julius and Macy A Very Brave Night.

Cited

DePalma, J. (2006). 52 A Tale of Loneliness. Campbell: Umbrelly Books.

Galda, L. (2017). Literature and the Child Ninth Edition. Boston: Cengage Learning.