I loved The Last Bear very much so I couldn’t wait to dive into “The Lost Whale" by Hannah Gold. As soon as you begin reading you know that this is going to be an emotional and heartwarming story, the beautiful writing and compassionate text in the first couple of chapters sets the scene for the rest of the book.

This inspiring story is about a young boy called Rio who has been sent to California to stay with his grandmother as his mother is struggling with depression back home in England. He is understandably missing her, but before long he connects with the local whales, and in particular White Beak, with whom he forms a strong bond. When White Beak goes missing Rio and his friend Marina are determined to locate him.

Overall, "The Lost Whale" is a beautifully written and deeply moving book. It very much captures your emotions and demonstrates the ways in which our actions can impact even the largest and most majestic of creatures.

Gold has crafted a powerful narrative that is both educational and emotional, her emphasis on the importance of preserving the natural world is a message that comes across strongly, and aspires to show us we can all play a part in saving our wonderful world. I highly recommend this book for readers of all ages.

Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Collins UK and Hannah Gold for a copy of this book in return for an open and honest review.

Thank you so much for letting me read this book. I absolutely loved this Book. I went through all the feelings the MC went through as well. I love this authors books.

The Lost Whale made me cry, but not in a bad way. This children’s novel will pack a punch for any age of reader, and it’s an amazing read.

The Lost Whale follows Rio, sent to live with his grandmother in California whilst his mum is hospitalised due to her mental health. Rio is confused, lost, and lonely — until he meets Marina, whose dad runs whale-watching trips. It is on one of these trips that Rio meets White Beak, a grey whale who had been the subject of his mum’s sketchbook years ago. Entranced, Rio feels an instant connection with White Beak — but when the whale goes missing, he feels that finding her may just help heal his mum.

This was a poignant story and touches on many themes — motherhood, absent mothers, family, found family, whales, conservation, ocean advocacy, mental health, child carers, friendships, climate change, pollution, and so much more. Beautifully illustrated by Levi Pinfold, this is an absolute gem of a book which my cetacean-loving heart thoroughly enjoyed. It’s a perfect companion to Gold’s previous book, The Last Bear, and I believe that she has more in a similar vein on the way. Highly, highly recommended.

I received an e-ARC from the publisher, HarperCollins UK, through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hannah Gold has done an amazing job in storytelling. So incredible that it has captured my heart in so many ways, even now, after months of finished reading it, I'm still thinking about it. Crying by replaying the touching scenes in my head. One thing is for sure, this book is a product of outpouring love. It was sure an educating, eyeopening, informative and perfectly written (couldn't be any better any this. Kudos) that it makes my heart feel so tight with shame and anger.

In The Lost Whale, we got to see the world of Rio. How he struggled, away from his beloved mother; waiting every day to finally live with her again, endure a new environment, live with the grandma he met for the first time, and new form of relationship. We'll see how such a boy grows into someone more confident and believe in himself. I loved that he's not giving up to saves his loved ones even though the chance for them getting better is just slight. Hope is what keeps the story going. And in hope, we must put our trust.

All the information I gained from this book is worth a lot. I wish I can write a review far better than this, more profound, so you'll know immediately how good and impactful it is. I know for sure I'll revisit the review my dear friend wrote as she pour all her heart into writing one.

I'll recommend this book to everyone, with no restriction on age as all can learn a lot from it.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a chance to read this incredible book.

Wow, this book! I didn't think it was possible to love one of Hannah's animal characters more than I loved Bear, but this book proved that theory wrong. White Beak is a whale who not only Rio, the young hero of the story, learns to love, but we as readers do too. Who knew that grey whales can produce heart-shaped rainbows in the air when they breathe out? Who knew they are known as 'friendlies' or what they have twice been close to extinction?
This book hits home on so many levels. On one level it is the perfect text to explore the impact of human laziness and its effect on the environment, particularly the ocean and its creatures but on another level the story has so much to say about the struggles of being a child in today's world too. Rio's plight to save White Beak ultimately comes down to his desperation to help his own mother, whose mental health has declined so severely that he is sent to live with his Grandmother on the other side of the world whilst his she struggles to get better.
I finished this book in the sunshine whilst wearing my sunglasses and I have never been more grateful for a shield from the tears which escaped my eyes during the final pages as I too echoed Rio's own whispered words "I love you". With Levi Pinfold's beautiful illustrations too, this really is a book not to be missed.

Reading The Lost Whale hot on the heels of the amazing debut novel by Hannah Gold, The Last Bear was always going to be a hard act to follow. I read this as a buddy read with my 8 year old son. We both adored The Last Bear and cried our eyes out at the end, it was so thoroughly moving.

The Lost Whale is a slower-paced novel, beautifully written and with another wonderful child as the central character. This time we meet Rio, a young boy who is forced to move from London to his grandmother’s house in Ocean Bay, California when his mother has a breakdown and is admitted to hospital. Rio is carrying such a lot for a young age, and we both found the book very sad throughout, though the mental health issues are handled very sensitively.

When Rio meets a friend Marina and finds a very personal connection with the grey whales who pass Ocean Bay every year on their migratory journey to the South, he becomes consumed with one particular whale, White Beak. When White Beak goes missing, Rio is determined to find her.

While we both enjoyed the book, we did find the pace a little slow for most of it and some of the story is a little repetitive. We would have liked more White Beak - she didn’t feature enough we felt. Having said that, the last few chapters are magnificent and elevate this book to a four star read. Well done to Hannah Gold on another terrific book. Looking forward to the next one!

Well, everyone seems to hype this one up & that can be a red flag sometimes. But we knew how enjoyable the first book 'The Last Bear' was so, of course, we were so happy to win The Lost Whale & go on another adventure by Hannah Gold.

There's such a lot of detail within the story with great characters but the writing style makes you just keep reading & forget the time... you end up inside the story, as one of our reading MiniClub members put it.

Like The Last Bear, this might not be exactly the story you were expecting but it is one we think a lot of people will love.
Rio is sent to live with his grandmother while his mum is in hospital, back home. He's lucky to meet a new friend Marina & go out on her Dad's Whale-watching trips.. but things don't always go as expected.

We think everyone will enjoy this super story but also notice the eco message through it.
We also loved the illustrations by Levi Pinfold. It's a treat to have illustrations even in this hardback book.

The Last Bear - Hannah Gold’s debut - was one of my stand-out reads of 2021 and quite rightly, in my opinion, won the Blue Peter Book Award and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. So her second book had some very big paw-prints to follow in. I needn’t have worried, along came White Beak with rainbow hearts in her breath.

With his mum struggling with her mental health and hospitalised, Rio finds himself heading to California to stay with a grandmother he barely knows. Ocean Bay is definitely not home and his stay is lonely and frustrating until he meets Marina, a carefree girl who invites him on her dad’s whale watching trips. Seeing White Beak, a grey whale, sparks something inside of Rio and when she vanishes he must venture out into the vast ocean to find the whale that he hopes can save his mum…

Like The Last Bear, The Lost Whale is another remarkable, important and heartfelt animal tale that firmly tugs at the heartstrings. April and Bear have been swapped out for Rio and White Beak, the polar ice caps replaced by the ocean, and the Arctic gives way to the sunnier climes of west coast USA. With the ocean providing the soundtrack, it is a beautifully written story of a boy, a whale and a special bond that will change everything. Accompanied by the sublime illustrations of Levi Pinfold that will be met with gasps of awe and wonder, this is another outstanding read that is sure to have Gold’s name on the award shortlists once again.

Full of raw emotions, the battle to deal with mental health problems and the struggles of a child-carer simmer on the surface. And as mum and Rio struggle to stay afloat, hope comes in the form of the most majestic of creatures, White Beak - a whale facing her own struggles because of human activity. What begins as a healing journey in London for mum becomes a therapeutic journey for Rio as he follows in his mum’s whale-watching footsteps and discovers the wonder of nature, the thrill and awe of whale-watching and a connection beyond his wildest dreams.

The story is utterly captivating and once I started I was unable to stop; the short chapters keep the narrative bobbing nicely along before a climatic and suspenseful ending. It is a wonderful animal adventure in to which Gold seamlessly weaves information on whales, the environment and conservation. Characters demand our empathy, the whales and their ocean home need our understanding and action. Whilst never preachy, we are all implored to care for the oceans and to take responsibility for human actions. ’Awareness is the heart of change.’

As the tide ebbs and flows, hope overcomes helplessness, nature triumphs over humans, and family, friendship and love conquer all; Hannah Gold offers rainbow heart-shaped hope in every sense. Children care about the environment and if White Beak and Rio teach us anything it is that little actions, big hearts and strong minds striving for a better world can be the difference, can bring about change and can make the oceans safer, ultimately saving the precious animals that call them home.

Like the aforementioned White Beak, The Lost Whale, with its strong environmental focus, will make a huge splash amongst the selection of fiction reads for children and is a must read for young environmentalists and conservationists. Environmentally conscious writing at its absolute best. ‘None of us can save the world single-handedly. But together we might just stand a chance.’

With huge thanks to Harper Collins for the copy I received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Recommended for 9+.

Rio goes to spend some time with his Grandma in California while his Mum is receiving hospital treatment. He is worried about his Mum and doesn't have much of a relationship with his Grandma as they haven't spent much time together, so Rio is finding it difficult to settle, until he meets Marina. Along with her Dad, Birch, she introduces Rio to the world of whale watching and he uncovers an unexpected connection to the whales, with one in particular having a surprising link to his Mum.

This is another lovely story about hope and family, but much more than that too. It conveys many important messages, including mental health, young carers and conservation. Never is it done in an over the top or preachy way, and the notes after the story were very eye-opening and informative.

Sadly I couldn’t send this to kindle so haven’t been able to read it. However I’ve heard so many good things about it and the hardback cover is really stunning so still a book I’m recommending to customers.

Another wonderful children’s book from Hannah Gold, The Lost Whale.

Rio has been sent to live with his grandmother in California after his mother enters a clinic. Originally reluctant to leave the house, Rio befriends a local girl and her father who host whale watching tours. A chance encounter with a majestic whale named White Beak gives Rio something to look out for, and when he believs she is in trouble, he sets off on a desperate quest to rescue her, and himself in the process…

A beautifully told story, one I believe perfectly pitched to the target audience. Delicate topics such as mental ill health and being a young carer are touched on with empathy and grace.

Rio and Marina are charming young protagonists, and I just wanted to give Rio a hug, no matter how unwelcome that would be. Birch and Fran are supportive guardians, encouraging the youngsters to follow their interests and passions however they can.

The earnest call to protect our world, our oceans and the creatures we share this Earth with is moving, relevant and more poignant than ever before.

It can be overwhelming and scary to think of the damage the human race is causing to our environment. However, there is still a hopeful and inspiring message that no matter how small and seemingly insignificant we are, if we all do what we can, we can make a difference.

The Lost Whale is aimed at children aged between 8 and 12 years old, and is out now. Many thanks to Harper Collins Children’s Books and NetGalley for the ebook proof copy.

My daughter (9 years old) and I buddy read it and this is Ella’s review.

I liked reading it together so we could talk about it after each section.
We tried to read only 4 chapters every night but it did not work as we got carried away because it was so good.
You should pick us this book if you like adventure, friendship, caring for the planet and animals. I found it sad that Rio’s mother was unwell but also happy because he was able to spend time with his grandmother beside the sea.
The illustrations (Levi Pinfold) were beautiful and I fell in love with them when I read Hannah Gold’s first children’s book the Last Bear.
Both these books were extremely good and I will never forget them.

Thank you to @littlecassreads for giving me the idea to buddy read this novel, it was such a gorgeous experience which I highly recommend. Thank you also to @netgalley and @harpercollinsuk for my arc in return for our honest review.

What more can I say than just wow. Hannah Gold has taken my emotions and enveloped them with this new, beautifully crafted masterpiece. Just like her first book ‘The Last Bear’ this one takes you on an adventure like no other. Meet characters that you fully and emotionally connect to, animals that you can’t help but love and want to help and care for, and the truth of an environmental disaster that is happening right now just beneath the surface of the water. The realistic and moving way in which Hannah Gold uses her words and writing style truly does capture your heart and make you delve into this world that is real beyond belief.

I cannot recommend this book enough, not just for the middle grade age but for all ages. As I said with her first book I cannot wait to see what she writes next in what is the start of an amazingly unforgettable writing career that I always support and auto pre-order my books.

I also just wanted to take the time to thank Hannah for involving a character who is having an mental health crisis in a non-insane-asylum way. As someone who is currently going through a mental health crisis it is so heart warming to read of a character like this and them to be written with warm and love and understanding. Thank you 💜.

I have loved reading this story. Hannah's debut was beautiful but this is a heartburst; a beautiful rainbow of hope. We join Rio on a journey of learning, a journey of discovery about his mum, his grandma, himself and learning about the power of the Ocean as well as the majesty of the Whales. One whale in particular grabs Rio's soul - White Beak and as a reader you cannot be anything but completely invested in White Beak and her connection with Rio, his mum and humanity. Hannah Gold has written another superb novel that will waken the intended audience to yet another environmental catastrophe. Through Hannah's skillful tapestry of words, we are transported to the Pacific and learn about the migration of the most majestic animal of the oceanic world and are humbled by the sheer strength of the Ocean as well as once again being reminded of the selfishness of humanity.  Hannah's books should be on every Primary curriculum map. 
Huge thank you to @NetGalley and Harper Collins for this e-ARC to review.

Another beautiful read from Hannah Gold, and she once again covers topics of conservation, preservation and the human heart.
At just 11 years old Rio has had a lot of growing up and responsibility in his life. His mother doesn’t cope well with life and Rio does his best to keep his eye out for her, making sure she is eating and staying safe. When his mum is finally admitted to a hospital for treatment he is sent to a small coastal town in California to live with Fran his grandmother. A grandmother he has barely seen and he doesn’t want to have anything to do with her, nor does he want to stay. One day Fran gives him a box of treasures that belonged to his mum and when Rio looks through them he finds a sketchbook with many many drawings of a whale, a whale he comes to know is called White Beak because of her distinctive markings. This leads him down to the sea and a chance meeting with Marina, a young girl his age who lives on a whale watching boat with her father. Rio feels if he finds this whale it will help mend his mother. He soon learns he has an affinity with the whales and can hear them when no one else can.
There is a lot of information about the whales, their breeds, their habits and habitats and of course the great threat that global warming and sea trash, both caused by humans, has impacted on their environment and ability to survive.
It’s often a teary book, with tissues needed, but it also teaches the reader a bit about mental health issues but a lot about Whales and need to step up and take responsibility for their plight.
Amazing read!

#TheLostWhale #NetGalley

The Lost Whale is another triumphant book from the wonderful author Hannah Gold. Rio is visiting his grandmother in the small California town where she lives. Estranged from her for most of his life, Rio is unhappy to be sent thousands of miles away just when his mum needs him the most, and his grandmother is practically a stranger. Sometimes mum struggles to be happy and until now Rio has always taken care of them both when she is feeling low, but this time mum wants more help and has to go away. Angry, hurt, and worried, things get off to a bad start for Rio and his grandmother. But being in the presence of the ocean and discovering his mother’s childhood passion for the grey whales that annually migrate past the town gives Rio an idea that will lead him on a life-changing adventure.

Much like her previous book, The Last Bear, this tale of a lonely child finding solace and purpose in nature is captivating. The effects of climate change and and plastic pollution on our world and the creatures we share it with are laid bare, alongside a sensitive portrayal of a child carer and a parent living with mental illness. Rio’s story is both heartbreaking and inspiring, but is also just a wonderful adventure story that was engaging from the beginning and is sure to be as successful as The Last Bear. Sadly, I have yet to see Levi Pinfold’s stunning illustrations due to reading an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Harper Collins Children’s books, but I just know they will add to the magic of this lovely book.

Happy book birthday @hannahgold_author!

This is such a beautiful book in so many ways. Although there are several sad undercurrents to the storyline, the hope, kindness and positivity shown by the characters is lovely and heartwarming. The topic of saving whales and global warming is so current and relevant and highlights some of the changes we should make in order to protect our planet. Many people will be able to relate to the story, whether that be through the illness experienced by Rio's mum, Rio's own experiences and feelings or a love for the ocean and the whales themselves. A fantastic read which I can't wait to share with my class once released.

A truly wild & wonderful book that will warm any nature-loving heart.

Absorbing writing perfectly complemented by majestic illustration makes for an inspirationally spellbinding read. Full of bravery, hope and humanity's ethereal connection to the planet.

Just beautiful. 🌍🐋🌊

I first discovered Hannah Gold’s writing last year when she was launching her debut children’s novel, ‘The Last Polar Bear’. She talked with such passion about the plight of the polar bears, her writing and her excitement over Levi Pinfold’s illustrations, that I immediately bought a copy for my daughter. We both loved it.

In this second novel, Hannah Gold again writes with sensitivity and compassion. I challenge any reader not to gain (or regain) a respect for whales after reading ‘The Lost Whale’. Far from being didactic, Gold shares the issues of climate change and ocean plastics with her young readers, by introducing them to one individual whale, White Beak. This whale has a past, a present and a hoped-for future, and I felt genuinely concerned about its wellbeing in the same way as I was rooting for Rio and his mother.

Aimed at readers of 8 years plus, Gold has captured their concerns about the world with a love of nature that many children enjoy. This novel is relatable – it’s not about adult scientists and ocean explorers, but about a whale-watching boat in a tourist resort, with characters learning more by visiting a local museum; every child can imagine themselves having this kind of adventure.

I’d recommend this book especially as a class read for Years 4, 5 and 6, as there are clear links to the KS2 curriculum (oceans, climate change, mammals, mental health) as well as it having a gripping storyline with well-rounded characters. Gold understands both children and animals and writes about both superbly, and I am sure that her writing will become a firm favourite with fans of Michael Morpurgo. I get the feeling that ‘The Lost Whale’ will be sparking a fascination in her readers which turns many of them into future whale watchers and marine biologists.

Rio has been sent to stay in California, with the grandmother he hardly knows, while his mother is in hospital for 4 weeks. At first he's scared of this new life, Rio has been the responsible adult in his family his whole life and doesn't really know how to let go and be a kid. But when he meets the ocean, everything changes.
I could share Rio's excitement and astonishment at learning about the whales and particularly White Beak, the first whale his mother ever saw. I felt like I was growing with Rio as he discovered more about the whales and the ocean, and also about himself. It was quite an emotional ride! I also loved the touch of magic in the book.
Without being at all preachy, this book gives a strong message to kids (and adults) to try to be more thoughtful about the world. It's scary how much humans are damaging the world and I want to do more to help. It has definitely inspired me to step up my efforts and make a few more changes in my life.
I read an arc without the illustrations so I can't wait to see it with the wonderful pictures that I am sure will be included in the finished copy.