The Spirit of Springer: The Real-Life Rescue of an Orphaned Orca
by Amanda Abler (Author) Levi Hastings (Illustrator)
A compelling nonfiction picture book about the remarkable rescue of an orphaned orca calf, Springer (A73), whose story captured the hearts of whale lovers throughout the Pacific Northwest.
In 2002, a killer whale calf was discovered swimming alone in Puget Sound. This picture book follows the amazing true story of her identification as a member of the A4 pod, a family of Northern Resident orcas living off the coast of British Columbia, and the team of scientists who worked together against all odds to save her from starvation and reunite her with her family.
The challenges of capturing Springer, transporting her north from Puget Sound to Canadian waters, and coordinating her release to facilitate a hopeful acceptance back into her family are brought to life in beautiful illustrations that will appeal to readers of all ages. This is a hopeful and celebratory conservation story with a happy ending: Springer gave birth to her first calf, Spirit, in 2013, and a second calf, Storm, in 2017.
In addition to the narrative, there are 5 pages of illustrated back matter that go deeper into Springer's story, and include her family tree, a map of her rescue journey, as well as more about how orcas are at risk and what we can do to help.
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School Library Journal
Gr 2-5—This narrative nonfiction book documents the work of American and Canadian researchers who rescued an orca named Springer and returned her to health, releasing her back into Canadian waters. Orca whales ordinarily swim in pods; parents and children are together all their lives. One day in 2002 a single orca calf emerged from the waves of Puget Sound. A ferry worker who saw the event informed whale experts, who determined from her dialect and markings that this calf was sick, starving, and over 300 miles from home. The book follows Springer as she relearns how to eat, figures out how to heal her own skin, finds her family members, and reestablishes her life in the wild. It also credits the First Nations people who helped to welcome her home. The simple, precise language encourages readers to follow the story's twists and turns and invest in its happy outcome. The realistic but playful illustrations convey emotion as well as fact. Post-narrative pages provide additional scientific information about Springer, orcas in general, and the environment in which orcas live. VERDICT This book is a delightful find for STEM enthusiasts and also for kids who just like a good story.—Sheri Reda, Wilmette Public Library, IL
Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Review quotes
"A spirited introduction to a fascinating rescue."—Kirkus Reviews
"The monumental efforts of the scientists—hailing from both the U.S. and Canada—and the great love they have for the young orca are inspiring to read about and provide great models of empathy."—Booklist
"This book is a delightful find for STEM enthusiasts and also for kids who just like a good story."—School Library Journal
JNF003150 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Animals | Marine Life
JNF037070 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Earth Sciences - Water (Oceans, Lakes, Etc.)
British Columbia
Animal rescue
Wildlife reintroduction
Puget Sound (Wash.)
Killer whale
Johnstone Strait (B.C.)
