Isabel of the Whales — Hester Velmans

Have you ever believed you were special?

Isabel, a "plain old" eleven-year-old girl living in Provincetown, Massachusetts, believes that she is destined to accomplish something spectacular. It won't be winning the lottery or getting on MTV or anything silly like that. Isabel knows she's going to do something important, somewhere, sometime . . . she's just not so clear about what.

When Isabel's fifth-grade class goes on a whale watch, something amazing happens: dozens of species of whales appear. They surround the boat, slamming against it and sending Isabel flying into the ocean. Isabel is shocked to hear the whales speaking to her: She is a mermaid, they tell her, a Chosen One who can turn from a human into a whale and back again. She is destined to live among the whales long enough to change their lives in some way while teaching them about the human world.

During Isabel's time with the whales, she learns much about life, about protecting the ones you love, and most importantly, about herself. Isabel of the Whales is a sweet and inspiring novel about trusting your own power and learning to appreciate what is special in you.