Orca in Open Water

Written by Emma Carlson Berne · Illustrated by Erwin Madrid

Part of the Seaside Sanctuary series

A young orca's fate hangs in the balance between captivity and freedom.

4.2 Goodreads · 17 ratings

103 pages· 12,394 words· Est. 1.5 hour read· 680L

$9.99Save 4%

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Bookroo's summary

Elsa and Olivia join an orca research expedition in the San Juan Islands, but their adventure takes a dramatic turn when they discover August, a young orca separated from his pod. As a dubious aquarium vies to claim him, the sanctuary where they stay fights for his rehabilitation and release—a feat never accomplished before. With August's survival at stake, Elsa must navigate the challenges of marine conservation and the ethical dilemmas of captivity versus freedom. Can they teach August to thrive in the wild, or will he become a spectacle for human entertainment?

From the publisher

Elsa Roth and her best friend, Olivia, are excited to tag along with Elsa’s mother on a month-long expedition to study the diet of orca whales in the San Juan Islands. But when a young orca is found separated from his pod, things take an unexpected turn. They’re soon caught up in a battle for August, the young orca. A less-reputable aquarium wants him for their facility, while the San Juan Marine Mammal Sanctuary, where Elsa and Olivia are staying, is focused on the whale’s rehab and release–something that’s never been successfully done before. It’s up to Elsa and the rest of the sanctuary staff to keep August safe and teach him how to survive on his own–the whale’s survival depends on it.

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