Big Blue is based on true events that happened to author, Shelley Gill, and her daughter, Kye. Kye was an expert on whales and spent time learning and dreaming about them. One day when Kye was almost nine she told her mom that she didn't want stuff anymore, she wanted experiences. What she wanted most of all was to swim with a blue whale. The water in their home state of Alaska was too cold, so Kye suggested Mexico. Since Shelley worked driving a boat for marine biologists, she said she'd see if it could be arranged. Before long, they're in Mexico and it looks like there's a chance for dreams to come true. But will a whale present itself to them? Even if one does, will they really be able to swim with it? Go on an adventure with Shelley and Kye and you'll start thinking of all the experiences you'd like to have!

I recommend this book to those who love learning. I came away knowing a lot more than I did when I started reading. Also, people who like adventures will enjoy taking this book journey. Anyone who wants to hear an amazing presentation should have Shelley Gill come to their school. You will not be disappointed! The kids at my school are still talking about her! ( )

The purpose of this book was to inform readers about blue whales. I love that the book read more like a narrative than an informational text. Facts about blue whales were woven into a beautifully written story about a young girl, Kye, and her dream to swim with whales. Kye states that she knows a lot about whales, like “the newborn calf, at 25 feet, will be the fastest growing creature on earth.” The book also gets the reader to think and ask questions about whales. For example, Kye asks herself, “what if blue whales live 100 years? 200 years? What if the whales swimming around now are the same one hunted a century ago?” These questions have the reader ponder the amazing lifespan of whales. I also liked the illustrations. They made me want to swim with whales! The colors used beneath the water’s surface created beautiful pictures. I really liked the vocabulary and descriptive language. The author used words that were a little more complex, but the reader could understand them by the context. For example, “canyons,” “tread,” “gaping” and “krill.” The story was very well written and gave a clear picture of what the author wanted to describe. When she sees a blue whale in person she states, “I see the yellow knobs on Big Blue’s belly, her pleated throat, the gaping cave of her mouth. She lifts her pectoral fin and glides by me.” The reader can visualize what a blue whale looks like in person. Overall, this was a fantastic book that explained several facts about whales while engaging the reader. ( )