Dolphin Tale: The Junior Novel
Thursday, September 08 2011 by Michelle
Dolphin Tale: The Junior Novel
Based on the movie Dolphin Tale, opening in theaters Sept. 23rd!
Published by Scholastic (Aug. 1, 2011)
ISBN : 978-0545348423
144 pages
Ages 7+
This is a junior novelization of the soon-to-be-released movie, Dolphin Tale, based on the true story of a dolphin named Winter who lost most of her tail after being caught in a crab trap. A quiet, shy boy named Sawyer helps initiate Winter’s rescue, and somehow, in those brief moments, the two of them form a bond.
Winter’s rehabilitation is slow, and Sawyer gets increasingly involved, eventually helping find a prosthetic specialist who is willing to try making an artificial tail for Winter. And, while Sawyer is helping Winter, Winter also helps Sawyer come out of his shell and learn about being a friend. This is a great animal tale, with a terrific message about never giving up.
And here’s the BEST part...there is a great homeschooled character in this story by the name of Hazel. (And, believe it or not, they even cast an honest-to-goodness homeschooler in the role!) Homeschooling is given a very positive nod, and Hazel speaks fondly and openly about her love of learning at home, which in this case is a houseboat where she lives with her marine biologist dad and grandfather.
A larger point is also made about the importance of learning about what you love. Sawyer is a kid who hates school and everything to do with it. But, when he gets involved with Winter’s care, he begins to see how important learning new things can be and he finds the motivation he’s always lacked in the past. Seeing the change in Sawyer, even his mom becomes convinced that he can learn more by working with Winter than in summer school, and advocates on Sawyer’s behalf against a teacher who is initially unwilling to even consider the arrangement.
I wasn’t able to get tickets for the movie’s advance screening, so reading the novelization was my next best option to learn about Winter’s story. It is a heartwarming tale and kids who love animals will be especially touched by Sawyer and Winter’s connection. If you’d like to hear a first-hand account about the movie, there are lots of reviews online from homeschoolers who did see the screening, like this one from the Homeschool Post.
View the movie trailer for Dolphin Tale.
And, in case your kids get excited about learning more about dolphins as Sawyer did, check out some of the links in the Homeschool Post article, or make use of the free curriculum designed for homeschoolers to go along with the movie at Homeschool Movie Club. (You have to create an account to access the curriculum, but it’s quick and easy.)
The movie opens in theatres nationwide on September 23rd--and if you plan to go on opening day, you can join together with other homeschoolers across the country as part of Homeschool Movie Club’s Homeschool Day. Can’t wait!!
~Michelle
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