Dolphin Sky [Hardcover]

Ginny Rorby (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 19, 1996 | Age Level: 9 and up

Unable to change her father's perceptions that she is slow and worthless, a dyslexic Buddy Martin forms a bond with two dolphins who are trapped at an unhealthy aquarium and hopes to open the door to her own escape by setting them free.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Readers will dive right into this affecting first novel set in 1968, about a dyslexic girl who braves great risks to befriend captive dolphins. On her 12th birthday, motherless Buddy is entranced by some performing dolphins she sees at a squalid tourist trap near her home in an Everglades fishing village. Considered "dumb" because she can't read properly and constantly gets directions reversed, Buddy feels empathy for the animals her father says are "too dumb" to miss their lost freedom. Against the wishes of her father but abetted by her crippled and ailing grandfather, Buddy surreptitiously undertakes the 10-mile boat trip as often as she can to see the dolphins, one of whom, Annie, becomes her special friend. Meanwhile, while working on a science project, Buddy teams up with a visiting scientist who not only warns her of the health dangers the dolphins face but also takes her to Miami, where she is diagnosed with dyslexia. For Buddy, knowledge is power: as she learns to overcome her disability, she likewise stands up for herself against her classroom nemesis and acts to save the dolphins. Believable characters, convincingly portrayed relationships, a deeply moving plot and a wealth of intimate details of Everglades life combine to make this debut a real winner. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6?Buddy's life is not much brighter than that of the mistreated dolphins she sees at Stevens Everglade Eden. School is a torment to her; her crippled grandfather loves and respects her, but her father barely notices her except to express his disappointment at her apparent lack of intelligence. When Jane Conroy, a biologist, befriends Buddy, the woman recognizes her learning disability, does something about it, and opens up her eyes to the rights of animals. A lot happens in the three-month span of this story set in 1968, not all of it plausible. One visit to a psychologist seems to offer a cure for dyslexia?the problem barely surfaces again. Also, Buddy develops a strong enough relationship with one of the captive dolphins to engineer a daring escape for them. Readers will surely recognize the story's similarities to Jordan Horowitz's Free Willy (Scholastic, 1993), but some may question the wisdom of Buddy's actions; these creatures are not likely to survive their freedom. The writing is occasionally awkward and lacks subtlety early on, but the characters are sensitively drawn and undergo convincing changes, from Buddy's father's awakening to her grandfather's gradual decline and death. While the treatment of dyslexia is disappointing, the issue of animal rights is provocatively and emotionally discussed. Buddy's glossary of terms relating to her Everglades world is informative and a nice touch.?Susan Oliver, Hillsborough County Science Library at MOSI, Tampa, FL
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 246 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (March 19, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399229051
• ISBN-13: 978-0399229053
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,636,291 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was raised in Winter Park, Florida, where we lived on a lake. I think it was a Purple gallinule who sparked my interest in wildlife and eventually my love of all animals with the exception of palmetto bugs (big roaches.) Purple gallinules look a little like coots, but are purplish blue, have yellow legs, long toes and a beak the color of candy corn. This one, named Big Foot, came back every summer for five years, padding in and out of our kitchen at will for handouts. After high school and a failed attempt at being a bank teller, I moved to Miami and went to work as a flight attendant for National Airlines. In 1980, Pan American Airways bought that company and I worked for them for another 9 years. About midway through my flying career I came to my senses and realized that if I was ever going to do anything else, I needed an education. At age 33, I enrolled in the University of Miami to pursue an undergraduate degree in biology, specializing in ornithology--the study of birds. It was an accidental encounter with an abandoned dog that launched my 'writing career.' After taking eight years to finish my undergraduate studies, I went to graduate school and received an MFA in Creative Writing from Florida International University. My goal then became to move someplace where I would never be hot again. I now live on the chilly coast of northern California with my thirty-year-old parrot and way too many cats. I share my three-acre, forested space, as graciously as I can, with skunks, possums, raccoons, an occasional black bear and a mountain lion. A single (and I hope it stays that way) Little Brown bat has lived in the rafters of bathroom for the last five years sleeping (thankfully) directly above the sink. I wouldn't want to hurt my parrot's feelings, but I think my favorite pet of all time was an albino Red Rat snake named Rosie. If I could come back as an animal I would like to return as a Turkey vulture. Some one else kills your food for you and the rest of the time you get to ride thermals of warm air with your friends. Being a bird and flying with friends, what more could one ask for?

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, April 26, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Dolphin Sky (Library Binding)

I thought this book was terrific. I am a 7th - 12th grade school librarian and have had many students who enjoyed this book. I was surprised by the low age level (9-12) on...info about the book. Although good readers of those ages will enjoy the book, there are many themes that are only going to be grasped by people with a little more life experience. We are using the book in a high school psych class as an example of a "case study" of a dyslexic child. I was very moved by the relationship between Buddy and her grandfather. The relationship between Buddy and her father, fraught with difficulties rang true and allowed for some real character development as they both had to "grow up."

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific, January 23, 2005

By 

Hunker Down "Avid Reader" (Mendocino, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dolphin Sky (Paperback)

For your grandkids or children or your classroom this book is terrific. And you will enjoy it as well. Best buy at Amazon for family reading.