A 9-year-old only child with strange hobbies and no friends moves with his family to Jerusalem. His parents wish to be with his aging grandfather. He forms a strong bond with his grandfather, which he never had with his parents or age appropriate friends. His grandfather has a strange ability – to share his dreams with others he loves. Michael sleeps with his grandfather on a rather regular basis, and shares his grandfather’s dreams. Because of their love for each other, they participate in fantasy dreams together, i.e. flying on bicycles, eating dinner in restaurants with talking animals.

The ending is sad – grandfather dies. But Michael learns he has inherited his grandfather’s strange ability. Though written by an Israeli author, there is no Jewish content to the story.
- Cookie M. ( )

A quiet boy who is more at home with adults - Mr. O'Grady the junk-dealer, Mr. Albert the bookbinder, Mr. Rapp the gem merchant - than with children his own age, eleven-year-old Michael Hammerman finds a true kindred spirit in his grandfather Raphael, after he and his parents move from Port Washington, New York to Jerusalem, in order to be closer to him. As adult concerns percolate in the background - is his grandfather's housekeeper, Mrs. Saupier, really a "kept woman," and what does that mean? have Michael (now Mikha'el) and his family moved to Israel simply to secure their inheritance? - Mikha'el gradually builds a loving bond with this grandfather he has never before met, and is eventually given an extraordinary gift: the ability to share his grandfather's dreams. When it becomes apparent that Raphael Hammerman is growing steadily weaker, and ever closer to death, will Mikha'el be able to step into his place, as a "dream master...?"

Although I have long been familiar with the name Uri Orlev, The Song of the Whales is the first selection from this celebrated Israeli children's author, recipient of IBBY's (the International Board on Books for Young People) Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1996, that I have read. Chosen as our August selection, over in the International Children's Book Club to which I belong, it is a slim novella that addresses itself to serious concerns - relations between the generations, the nature of love and jealousy, the world of dreams (both happy and sad, cheerful and threatening) - that are of as much relevance to young people, as they are to adults. I liked the fact that Orlev addresses some of these concerns in a middle grade novel, as children too experience the dark and surreal (despite parental wishes and efforts to the contrary, many times), although I did find myself wishing, from time to time, that certain aspects of the story had been better developed.

I wanted more - more dreams, more explanations - but perhaps that's a good sign... Perhaps this short, dreamlike piece isn't meant to satisfy, so much as provoke. Perhaps this means I should read more Orlev. Perhaps... ( )

Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com

When Michael's family moves to Israel to be closer to family, Michael quickly strikes up a friendship with his grandfather. As time goes by, the elderly man shows the boy how he can control his dreams and be with his grandfather in the dream world.

Dangers in the form of his grandfather's failing health and an overbearing housekeeper threaten to end the two's friendship. Will Michael be able to continue enjoying his grandfather's dreams with him, or will their special time soon end?

A fun, lighthearted story despite the underlying saddening problems with the grandfather's health. The plot is interesting, and the characters are memorable and likeable. Readers who like fantasy, dreams, and spending time with their own grandparents will enjoy reading THE SONG OF THE WHALES. ( )

It is not always that you get to read about dreams. And this little book for kids does just that. This book is about Michael or Mikha'el (Mee-kha-EL - that's how his name was pronounced in Israel) who has to move to Jerusalem from Washington because his parents want to be near his old Grandpa. Michael is not like kids his age, he doesn't have friends his age and mingles well with grown - ups and likes to help them with there work. His parents who are always busy with work have little to no time for him. He is worried about the move, but soon comes to like the new place and his Grandpa too. His Grandpa becomes his only and best friend and loves his house as well. But his Grandpa has a secret, he can take anyone into his dreams! And he takes Michael with him into his dreams as well. From them on, every now and them Michael and his Grandpa have fun adventures in his Grandpa's dream. They both enjoy it immensely and slowly Michael comes to understand and adore his Grandpa more than anyone!

More than anything, it is the simplicity with which this story is told that tugs at your heart. The importance of dreams and the need to "repair" the sad and bad ones is beautifully brought about. To put in a little sweetness in to a sad dream, or to mix in a bit of hope into it... that we have the power to change the dreams... is beautifully portrayed in this small story.

There is something very nice and sweet about this story and my review, I am sure, does not do it justice it deserves. But I would definitely want to get hold of the book and read it to my kid someday. I like to believe that this will definitely be something that we will both enjoy.

Highly recommended for kids and older kids like me ;-). ( )

This text is full of imagery, some even grotesque. The story blurs between dream and reality, mirroring the subject matter. The characters, particularly Soapy, are memorable. Children will likely relate to Michael/Mikha’el, who feels like a misfit at times. ( )