Song for a Whale

Chapters 1-16

Reading Check

1. A beached sei whale (Chapter 1)

2. Antique Radio Magazine (Chapter 2)

3. Blue 55 (Chapter 3)

4. In-school suspension (Chapter 6)

5. An Admiral radio (Chapter 7)

6. Wendell (Chapter 8)

7. Bridgewood School (Chapter 9)

8. Mr. Russel (Chapter 15)

9. Andi (Chapter 16)

Short Answer

1. The students at Iris’s school mistakenly believe she lacks intelligence because she does not communicate in the same way they do. Her teacher does not understand rhyme in sign language and asks her to redo her paper with rhyme. Iris becomes increasingly frustrated with her surroundings because she cannot communicate effectively. (Various chapters)

2. Blue 55 is unable to communicate with other whales and the experience is isolating for the whale. Iris feels the same way because she is a person who is Deaf in a school where other students cannot understand her. (Various chapters)

3. Blue 55 attempted to communicate with the other whales, but they could not hear him. The other whales began to ignore him because of his lack of communication and eventually abandoned him.