Dolphin Song

August 1, 2008
Gr 4-7-Continuing the story begun in "The White Giraffe" (Dial, 2007), St. John throws 11-year-old Martine into another dangerous situation in which she must depend on her relationship with animals to survive. The child, recently orphaned and sent to live with her grandmother on a game reserve in South Africa, has had trouble adapting to her new school. She reluctantly embarks on a class trip to study nature at sea, and, before long, she and six of her classmates are tossed overboard during a storm. Rescued by dolphins, they survive shark-infested waters and are stranded on a deserted island. Five of the kids tormented Martine and her lone friend, Ben, in the first book, and they are no kinder here. But Ben, while mostly silent, has a lot of survival skills, and Martine has her powers of prophecy and healing, and the two of them prove to be self-sufficient and even content with their situation. As Ben teaches Martine how to find food, water, and shelter, he also guides her toward compassion as their desperate classmates begin to accept them. Not every plot point holds water, but this is an action-packed story with a strong environmental message and an admirable heroine. It brings the cultures of native and colonial South Africa together in the form of a young girl who is discovering that she is part of both. Talk this one up to your adventure buffs and animal lovers."Susan Oliver, Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library System, FL"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2008
Fans of St. Johns The White Giraffe (2007) need to fasten their seatbelts for this rip-roaring sequel. Martines class sails the South African coast to view the Sardine Run. When a cyclone strikes, dolphins shepherd the shipwrecked kids to a mysterious deserted island. And thats only the beginning. Can Martines secret, magical healing powers help rescue beached dolphins, ward off the evil threatening the island, and speed her longed-for reunion withher giraffe companion, Jemmy? The strong connections between humans and wildlife celebrated in Martines first adventure will continue toengage readers here.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)