Customer Reviews

Whispers from the Bay

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I don't normally ready kids books, but I absolutely loved Whispers from the Bay. The main character, Mike, is just a good kid with an incredible talent -- no trumped up drama. It's a feel good story that reads well and gives a ton of interesting information about dolphins. It reminds me a lot of Huck Finn.

Mike Connelly is a special little boy living on Key Biscayne Island off the coast of Miami. Although Mike is usually a quiet boy who doesn't like to talk because he stutters, he has a unique connection to dolphins that allows him to communicate with them in his mind so he can talk freely with them. Through this connection Mike and his dolphin friends find adventure and a deep, loyal friendship. When a dolphin is in trouble, Mike runs to try and save it-and in return when Mike finds himself in danger, the dolphins race to his aide. Mike also discovers a secret known only to the dolphins that he must protect at all cost, and some day this secret may change the course of the world. That is a big task for a little boy. Can Mike live up to it?

This is a very interesting story. If you could talk to dolphins would you be able to keep it a secret? That is what Mike must do to keep the dolphins(and probably himself) safe from people who would exploit or misunderstand his gift. Mike is a personable little boy and I was fascinated by all the information about dolphins and the idea that he could talk with the dolphins. I loved that the dolphins loved books and ask Mike to read to them as often as he could.

This story is supposed to be the first book of a five-book series, and I think it is off to a good start. Mike and the dolphins find a lot of things to explore and trouble to get into, which makes for some adventurous times. Hints are planted through the story to tease the reader with what may be coming next in another book and hopefully readers won't have a long wait for the next installment!

I am always searching for books that interest kids in reading and this is a good candidate for kids who like animal stories, nature stories, or dolphins.

Armchair Interviews says: Interesting read for Middle Readers (10-14).

While I'm an avid reader, I normally don't read books classified as 'young adult'. I am thrilled I made an exception with Whispers from the Bay, as a result of a recommendation from a friend. It was the same friend who suggested I read Harry Potter many years ago, so needless to say, I put faith in the recommendation. Well, MOVE OVER JK!

Mr. Tkac has woven an exciting and enchanting tale of Mike Connelley and his fascinating ability to communicate with dolphins. Readers of all ages, you will NOT be disappointed . . . the ending will leave you hungry for the next in the series !

Speaking to dolphins is one thing - discovering their secret is another. "Whispers from the Bay" follows Mike Connelly as he finds he has a connection with these sea mammals, and soon develops a method of communication with them. Through his adventures with his new found aquatic friends, everything seems fine as first, but he discovers something the dolphins want him to keep secret. Can he stay true to his word when faced with such knowledge? "Whispers from the Bay" is sure to please dolphin lovers, and is a top pick for community library fiction collections.

As educators, we review books for the purpose of identifying those texts which can be used to help students, especially reluctant boys, become interested in reading new material.

"Whispers From the Bay" is just such a publication.

Mike Connelly is an adventurous lad who has the special ability to communicate and interact with dolphins off Key Biscayne.

Their various adventures, both above and below the water, will provide hours of enjoyable reading escaping into the action filled world of Mike/s unique experiences.

The author's writing style produces a nicely interconnected number of mini plots which result in an interest holding series of suspenseful situations and subsequent solutions.

Mike Connelly is different. Right from the start, the kids at school tease Mike about his stutter, and he just doesn't quite fit in. His brothers stand up for him, but they can't always be there, and Mike turns into kind of a loner.

Mike lives on an island called Key Biscayne off the coast of Florida, and the bay is frequented by a group of dolphins. Mike feels a special affinity for the dolphins and gradually they become friends and learn the magic of communicating with each other. Soon, the garbled whispers of the dolphins turn into voices that Mike can understand.

Then the dolphins take Mike to their secret place, and he discovers something that could change the course of world history.

The dolphins and their ancestors have protected their secret for centuries, and now Mike promises to keep a vow of silence. When Mike's friend and neighbor, Lucy Medina, is kidnapped and the villains leave no clues, Mike turns to the dolphins for help. Ordinarily, it would be easy for the dolphins to find her, but they must do so without revealing their subterranean secret.

I enjoyed the fantasy of Mike being able to talk to another species, and the many adventures that the boy and the sea mammals share...Mike being rescued from the sharks and then helping the dolphins solve some of their problems.

WHISPERS FROM THE BAY is a delightful story with plenty of action and suspense to keep young readers glued to the pages, and characters that they will long remember. This book is part of a series, and I can't wait to read the others.

Reviewed by: Grandma Bev

This book will be a pleasure read for both the reluctant and eager reader! Parents may find it reminiscent of "The Lion's Paw", which was one of the greats!! Elementary and middle school students will find much they can relate to, but readers of all ages will enjoy the adventure and mystery. Hope to see more from this author!

This book was absolutely delightful reading!! I saw the book advertised and loved the book cover and title, and thought what a good sounding book to buy for my grandchildren, so I ordered one. Well, I read it myself to make sure the content would be appropriate and enjoyable for the little ones in my life. Well, what a wonderful surpise for me to discover not only was it going to be wonderful reading for children, but that I thoroughly enjoyed reading it myself!! I was all caught up in the characters.. both the human, dolphin, and 'other' types sprang to life for me, and I couldn't put the book down once I started reading it!! I was delighted to find there was going to be a sequel written and can't wait until it comes out! I was so impressed I ended up ordering 12 more copies of the book to give as gifts. Look for a movie to be made! It was that good!!

Whispers from the Bay is an amzing story about the relationship between the cod of dolphins and a young boy, Mike McConnelly. This novel is a great summer read for children of all ages. I personaly enjoyed the Floridian and Keys' asspects from the book. I would reccomend this book to any child for a good book during the Summer.