Book Descriptions
for The Music of Dolphins by Karen Hesse
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
A highly original first-person narrative uses prose style and type design to reflects a girl's growing understanding and mastery of human language as she describes her experiences among the scientific researchers charged with studying and helping her after she is rescued from the sea, where she has been nurtured and raised by dolphins from the age of four. Mila finds delight and deep joy in music and soul-bruising sadness in the confines of walls which keep her from the freedom and love she knew among the dolphins. At the same time she discovers that human relationships are complex, confusing, and sometimes painful, even as they hint at the possibilty of something deep and satisfying as well. Mila's memories of life among the dolphins are strands of thought that reach to the core of her being, calling her back to the sea at the same time they challenge those who have come to know and care for her to question their own beliefs. (Age 10-13)
CCBC Choices 1996. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 1996. Used with permission.
From the Publisher
A stunning novel about a 'wild girl' who is discovered swimming with the dolphins, and the story of people's attempts to make her truly human. Mila creates headlines around the world when she is rescued from an unpopulated island off the coast of Florida. Now a teenager, she has been raised by dolphins from the age of four. Researchers teach Mila language and music. She learns, too, about rules and expectations, about locked doors and broken promises, disappointment and betrayal. The more Mila finds out what it means to be human, the more deeply she longs for her island home With a highly original narrative style to mirror its plot, this is an unusual, moving and appealing story which stays in the mind long after it is read.
Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.