Whale Talk

Hi. My name is Stacy, and I am in the teaching credential program at SJSU. My professor asked everyone to choose a book that all of you, hopefully, may find interesting to read. When I was in high school, I liked to read novels that were plot driven, books that held my attention through twists and suspense. The novel that I am recommending to all of you is Chris Crutcher’s Whale Talk; although I never read this novel in high school, I'm sure it would have become one of my favorite books because it is an incredibly fast read. Chris Crutcher is currently one of the most controversial young adult authors because he addresses many serious issues that are usually brushed off as taboo in young adult fiction. Although his novels have been banned in many schools, they consistently receive rave reviews by critics and high school students. Whale Talk tells the story of T.J. Jones, an intelligent and witty biracial outsider who decides to rebel against his predominantly white peers. T.J. decides to bring together fellow misfits in order to create his own swim team. Because his high school glorifies athleticism, varsity jackets, and masculinity, T.J. believes that creating a swim team will force his peers to give the misfits the respect and dignity that they deserve. While the novel is funny and entertaining, it is definitely not lighthearted because Crutcher addresses issues such as racism, physical abuse, and pride. I finished the novel in a couple of days, and in my opinion, the ending left me speechless. I will tell you now that it is not your typical happy ending. And if you don’t want to take my word for it, the American Library Association ranked Whale Talk as the best book for young adults. I really hope all of you will read this novel and if you don't, I hope that you will set out to discover the books that interest you.

(originally posted at: Novel Recommendation)