by Middle Grade fiction
Spring 2021 from Regal House Publishing/ Fitzroy Books
In 1910, twelve-year-old Savannah Dawson lives with her widowed father Caleb on a whaling station in New South Wales, Australia. A Scottish lassie with a temper to boot, Savannah yearns for the bright lights of Paradise. But she’s stuck across Reflect Bay on the Doddstown side where, “no one ever says they’re from.” On top of that, for generations the Dawson family has used orcas to hunt whales. Savannah believes these orcas hunted something else – her older brothers. Despite Caleb’s objections, she wants to become a whaler to avenge them and carry on the family legacy. But no one wants a girl in a whaleboat. Meeting an aboriginal boy, Figgie, changes that.
Figgie helps Savannah hone her whaling skills and develop her artistic talents. When she is finally able to join the crew, a whale destroys her boat. Savannah sinks into the shark-infested waters when a mysterious orca Jungay returns to rescue her. Savannah starts questioning everything she thought she knew about the orcas, her family and herself. She vows to protect the pod. That vow tests her mettle when Arizona Bittermen, daughter of the rapacious fishing fleet owner, shows up at school. Arizona tricks Savannah into helping capture the orcas her father Jacob plans to slaughter. Savannah has lost one family and she’s determined not to lose another.
Catch a glimpse of Jerry’s inventive writing process at Fitzroy Books blog
Praise for The Whaler’s Daughter:
Mikorenda creates authentic characters who carry the story’s mix of humorous and meaningful moments as change comes to their community, along with revelations and understanding. His writing style successfully captures a period and place on the precipice of the modern world, and middle-grade readers will appreciate the glossary, which brings greater depth to the language used.” —Booklist
“Jerry Mikorenda’s first novel for young adults, The Whaler’s Daughter, ticks all the boxes: a fascinating saga that takes place in a faraway place and time featuring a courageous and ambitious young heroine who aspires to more. Twelve-year-old Savannah Dawson’s efforts to earn a place on her father’s whaling boat at the turn of the twentieth century in Australia will inspire twenty-first-century readers to hold fast in their quest to attain their dreams. A rollicking good story!” —Karen Dionne, award-winning bestselling author of The Wicked Sister
“In The Whaler’s Daughter, main character Savannah Dawson’s engaging honesty and rollicking energy sweep readers up in this coming-of-age adventure. Jerry Mikorenda’s YA novel debut delivers a touching, funny, sometimes gritty, always heartfelt ride.” —A. M. Jenkins, author of the Delacorte Prize-winning novel Breaking Boxes and the Printz Honor Book Repossessed
“What if Moby Dick were turned inside out? The Whaler’s Daughter brings a girl and a pod of blackfish—orcas—together in a dance of vengeance and takes them to a place of hope. You’ll fall in love with Savannah Dawson, a mashup of Scout Finch and Kahu Paikea Apirana, the heroine of Whale Rider.” —Elizabeth Gaffney, author of When the World was Young, and host of The 24-Hour Room