Odder
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4.7 • 25 Ratings
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Now a #1 New York Times bestseller! A touching and lyrical tale about a remarkable sea otter, from Newbery Medalist Katherine Applegate, author of Wishtree.
Meet Odder, the Queen of Play:
Nobody has her moves.
She doesn’t just swim to the bottom,
she dive-bombs.
She doesn’t just somersault,
she triple-doughnuts.
She doesn’t just ride the waves,
she makes them.
Odder spends her days off the coast of central California, practicing her underwater acrobatics and spinning the quirky stories for which she’s known. She’s a fearless daredevil, curious to a fault. But when Odder comes face-to-face with a hungry great white shark, her life takes a dramatic turn, one that will challenge everything she believes about herself—and about the humans who hope to save her.
Inspired by the true story of a Monterey Bay Aquarium program that pairs orphaned otter pups with surrogate mothers, this poignant and humorous tale told in free verse examines bravery and healing through the eyes of one of nature’s most beloved and charming animals.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Writing in exquisitely descriptive free verse, Applegate (Willodeen) delivers an uplifting tale of an inquisitive sea otter pup raised by scientists after being separated from her mother. Released back to the ocean, curious Odder spends her days reveling in her ability to "twist/ and pretzel and weave." Despite warnings to "be afraid of the world," the otter's adventurous nature lures her and a cautious friend, Kairi, into deeper waters, where they encounter an adolescent great white that lands Odder back with the people who raised her. Brief chapters that mimic the feel of each creature's movements capture both the meal-focused musings of the hungry shark—a "soundless ocean ghost" stalking prey—and the playful naivete of Odder (named because of "the way/ the little pup never settled,/... the way/ her eyes were always/ full of questions"). Though humans make cameo appearances in this edifying novel about otter life, the focus remains rightfully on its enigmatic star: a lovable otter who not only survives against the odds but thrives. Occasional art by Santoso (Wombat Underground) highlights the adorable protagonists. An author's note details the story's roots at California's Monterey Bay Aquarium. Ages 8–12. Author's agent: Elena Giovinazzo, Pippin Properties.
Customer Reviews
Odder
Amazing book, if you like otters read this book, if you like quick reads read this book, if you like anything related to otters read this book. Katherine Applegate ( the author ) is an amazing author, I’ve read most of her books and they all are very good. What’s funny is that my name is also Katherine spelled the exact same way. Anyway you should definitely read this book. 5 star book for sure.
Rare, powerful magic here!
Odder dives inside the world of sea otters, and inside the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s remarkable mission to protect them. Odder is a page turner, with joy, humor, realism, and a crafty number of details. The story is in verse, which (over and over) captures essentials with phenomenal brevity and clarity. Understanding unseen, beautiful parts of our world is a joy that helps ensure their future. Children can read Odder themselves, but sharing as a read-aloud improves a superb book with togetherness. As always, the best children’s books speak to adults. Irresistible, playful, and illuminating, Odder is a feast that feels like dessert.
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