Odder is an orphan. She was raised in an aquarium where she was nursed until she was released back into the wild. She is brave and a bit of a daredevil. She plays in the water doing her acrobats, thinking up stories to tell. Life is fun and good. But when Odder and her friends come face to face with a great white shark, her life is turned upside down.
The author tells this tale in free-flowing verse so the pages turn quickly as you read the story. Odder experiences grief and confusion but there are some funny moments too that balance this out. Importantly, it is ultimately a story with hope.
Applegate has done her research well to tell Odder’s tale. The story was inspired by a program of a Monterey Bay Aquarium in Los Angeles to save sea otters that pairs orphaned otter pups with surrogate mothers until they are ready to be released back into the wild environment.
The Aquarium even have a live web cam set up so you can watch them play.
There was a time when there were only 300 sea otters in the area and now there are many thousands.
Odder is a perfect book for young readers who love stories about animals or any young aspiring marine biologist.
Reviewed by Jane Stephens
Age Guide 8+
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