Songs of the Humpback Whale by Jodi Picoult is a story of new beginnings for Rebecca Jones and her broken family. Rebecca, a fifteen year old from California, is the daughter of Oliver Jones, a world-renowned marine biologist. Oliver, while idolized by the scientific community, neglects his family to pursue his research and love of humpback whales. Finally, when Oliver returns home only to bring news that he will once again be leaving, Jane, Rebecca’s mother snaps and hits her husband. Realizing the enormity of her actions and hating the monster she has become, she flees with Rebecca from everything they have ever known and begin to drive cross country to Massachusetts, where her brother is living. Joley, Rebecca’s brother, guides them across the country through letters, sending them to important destinations along the way. Upon arriving at the apple orchard where Joley is living and working, Rebecca instantly finds herself at home. However, Jane finds the owner despicable and cannot stand the place. Despite the rough start, Jane grows to share Rebecca’s feelings for the place and truly starts her life over as she is entangled in new love, new friends, and new feelings.
Meanwhile, Oliver has been putting his tracking skills to use to find his two family members. Although the journey started out as a burden and an annoying task that takes him away from his beloved whales, by the end of the long journey he discovers that he loves Jane and Rebecca more than his whales. He figures out the true meaning of family. He decides to go to Jane’s brother’s house for a happy reunion and to regain his loving family. However, when he arrives at the apple orchard, tragedy strikes, and Oliver’s dream of reuniting with his family might not go the way he planned.
Jodi Picoult writes a beautiful story of loss, family, and love. To learn more about her visit: http://www.jodipicoult.com/
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