Readers’ Comments

“Young readers are guided on a voyage that teaches and allows them to experience both the thrills and the natural and man-made dangers that these amazing creatures encounter. Fact and fantasy are intertwined as children ride along with Sean and Mari, wanting to know what happens next!”

—Jan Streelman, Children’s Librarian, Wiggin Memorial Library

“Kids will enjoy this book. It has enough action to keep their interest while learning true information about dolphins and the sea. This is a good book to be used as guided reading in a classroom.”

—Beth Marsh, Elementary School Science Teacher, UNH Marine Docent, Mammal Team

“A great adventure story, learning about dolphins along the way.”

—John Wilson, age 8, Grade 3

“I liked how Mari was so confident – she would not give up until she found Marius. I loved all of the imagination and that it included lots of facts about dolphins.”

—Rubylew Sokol, age 8, Grade 2

About the Book

A magical dolphin takes a young boy for a ride, revealing the wonders, and dangers, of life in the open ocean.

Through the magic of desire, Sean discovers he can speak with Mari, a young dolphin mother, who takes him aboard her back for a day on the ocean. But just beyond the harbor jetty, Mari’s pod is scattered by a tuna fleet, and Sean soon wonders if either he or the pod will survive to tell the tale. Searching for Mari’s missing son, they confront the dangers of the sea—from lost drift nets to lightning storms—and readers learn how different life is for wild dolphins from those in captivity.

The book is perfect for teachers looking for adventure stories based around science and conservation. It’s also great for both family reading and independent reading by older children. The book includes the story of the pod’s quest to reunite, followed by an interview with Mari, a glossary, information on dolphin biology and ecology, and a summary of current protections for these intelligent marine creatures.