"The ladies and the teenagers here at the Community Welcome House really enjoyed the book Whale Song.  We discussed the book every 3 chapters and looked at the meaning of the story.  They thought it was a wonderful story of a girl who was loved very much by her parents and showed her love to all around her.  Sarah was a very bright girl who was very impressionable by her friends and family.  She loved the stories about the whales and all the Indian stories told by Nana.  Our readers found the book very beautiful with the different friendships and the paths that Sarah, Annie, Goldie and Adam took, the breakthrough of Sarah's memory, and the reunification of Sarah and her father.  What a beautiful story for all ages. Whale Song will be a required read for our ladies and teens when they come to our program."

--Linda Kirkpatrick, Executive Director of Community Welcome House, a transitional facility which provides shelter for families in need in Newnan, Georgia

Bonjour mes amis:

I wish I could continue this email en francais, but I don't write French very well, although I can read it.

I was very excited to get an email from my mother-in-law saying that her uncle had read Whale Song. The Tardif and Masse families stem from Quebec and their French heritage is that of sugar bush parties (where they extract maple syrup from trees and can it), tortierre (a yummy meat and potatoe pie that simmers for hours, sometimes overnight) and sugar pie (I don't need to translate that!)

The following book review is from Maurice Masse, my mother-in-law's uncle:

"Quels bons moments j'ai passé à la lecture du livre Whale Song de Cheryl. Une histoire fascinante pleine de surprise comme je les aime et qui finit bien. Félicitations à celle qui nous fait passer des heures de plaisir par son écriture. Elle mérite des fleurs. Je ne parle pas anglais mais j'aime beaucoup lire en anglais car les mots sont déjà là et je n'ai pas de difficulté à les lire. En tous cas tu féliciteras ta belle-fille pour moi. Janet a commandé le livre sur internet et me l'a prêté."

"A fascinating story full of surprises that I enjoyed...She deserves flowers."

He sent me these:

Merci beaucoup, Oncle Maurice!!

I can't wait until Whale Song comes out in a French translation!

"Whale Song is beautifully written, and though not an action novel, it is a page turner. The novel is emotionally evocative (I shed tears for Sarah and her companions) but there are many, many heartwarming and encouraging aspects. You quickly become embroiled in the narrator's life, and Sarah's voice is so strong you could believe you are reading a true story. The characters are convincing, engaging and memorable...Whale Song follows Sarah as she matures--her tragedies and triumphs--to a satisfying end."

--Linda B. Nightingale

"I finished reading your book "Whale Song" about 5 months ago, but I forgot to e-mail you! Anyways, I loved your book! It made me cry in a few spots, but it was extremely good! ...I really liked your book- I will try to read some of your others! Thanks!"

--Kayla, grade 6, Alberta

"Utilizing a first person narrative technique, the reader experiences Sarah's initial acclimation first-hand under Tardif's very skillful voice...Tardif relays her sense of uncertainty and the ups and downs of triumphs and failures in an adept way that cements her ability to capture the sensibilities of this burgeoning adolescent with great credibility. Driven by Tardif's strength in creating such a believable character, the story moves along with great readability...Cheryl Kaye Tardif writes a most satisfactory story about a young girl's coming-of-age amidst a background that is simultaneously beautiful, mystical and bittersweet. Recommended for all young adults."

 

--Diana Faillace Von Behren, Amazon Top 500 Reviewer