Odder by Katherine Applegate

Odder by Katherine Applegate

Bibliography: 

Applegate, K. (2022). Odder. Feiwel & Friends.

Plot Summary: 

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.

Critical Analysis:

In beautiful verse, Katherine Applegate tells the tender story of a sea otter rescued by humans after being injured. As she did so wonderfully with The One and Only Ivan, Applegate brings the reader into the mind and heart of Odder, so named because of her enthusiastic and wild behavior. After being separated from her mother, Odder is rescued as a pup and brought into the Monterey Bay Aquarium to be raised. After being taught how to find food and swimming in the ocean with a human, she leaves to live in the wild. But an encounter with a great white shark leaves her badly injured bringing her back to the aquarium. Applegate based the story on the work the Monterey Bay Aquarium is doing with sea otters, both in the wild and at the aquarium in an effort to keep the population thriving. Odder makes a great sympathetic character as she struggles to adapt to her shifting circumstances. I also found it fascinating to read the story from Odder's point of view. The gorgeous illustrations, including the stunning cover, draws readers right into the story. While the story is told from Odder's perspective, she behaves exactly like an otter should, diving, and hunting, wary and curious. The dangers of life in the wild are not glossed over as Odder faces storms, predators, and even the risks of approaching people. And the challenges scientists face in trying to help an injured or lost wild animal are clearly depicted. A wonderful tale of survival and rescue, fear and hope, and the importance of taking care of the earth and all its creatures.

Review Excerpt: 

School Library Journal

This book will appeal to animal lovers and anyone who feels a little stifled by convention. Hand this to middle grade fans of marine biology, authors like Sharon Creech and Eliot Schrefer, and Applegate’s Newbery-winning The One and Only Ivan.

Kirkus Reviews

The free verse effortlessly weaves in scientific information, giving Odder a voice without overly anthropomorphizing any of the animals. The natural appeal of sea otters will draw readers in, but the book doesn’t shy away from real-world threats such as predators, disease, and pollution.... Charming black-and-white spot art captures the world and life of the sea.

Connections:

SEL lesson on relationship skills

Novel in verse

Animal fictions - Marine Life - Mammals