20. Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher

Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher

ISBN: 0-688-18019-1

Greenwillow Books, New York, 2001

220 p.

Plot Summary

Adopted at the age of two, TJ Jones stands out in the small town of Cutter, Washington because of his mixed race.  Coupled with his rejection of school athletics in spite of his natural talent for it, TJ faces bullying on a daily basis at Cutter High School, particularly from Mike Barbour, one of the stars on the football team.  Barbour torments anyone different from himself, including Chris Coughlin, who suffered brain damage from being abused at an early age and recently experienced the death of his brother.   When one of TJ’s teachers, Mr. Simet, comes to TJ looking to start a swim team, TJ takes the opportunity to recruit others who don’t fit within the typical mold of Cutter’s athletes and get them to earn letter jackets, something that is regarded highly at school.  Mike Barbour and the other athletes, along with Coach Benson, are offended by the potential for these misfits to letter in the sport.  However, once the Cutter All Night Mermen begin practicing and traveling to meets, they form a bond that develops into something more powerful than the idea of wearing a letter jacket can give.

Critical Evaluation

Chris Crutcher has an amazing ability to transfer reality into the pages of his novels.  With Whale Talk, topics such as abuse, bullying, death, and discrimination are presented without sugarcoating them for the teen audience.  Crutcher aims to give teens a story that includes real issues that teens are facing around the world, no matter how messy they may be.  The important thing is that teens are able to see themselves in the work and feel that the author is speaking to them.  In addition, the characters have more depth than is revealed when the reader first encounters them.  There is a recurring theme of not judging people by how they look throughout the novel.  TJ’s father is a perfect example of this; in describing him, TJ says, “Scary looking as he is, children flock around my father as if he were created by Walt Disney” (p. 60).  While his appearance may make people keep their distance, the man inside is gentle and kind.  This theme also carries over to each of the members of the swim team.  As they learn more and more about each other, they begin to see past the preconceptions and accept each other for their differences.  Even with the bullies of the novel, TJ’s father pushes TJ to see the reasons for their actions and recognize that they got that way because that is what they were taught.  While he doesn’t excuse their violent acts, he gives TJ some perspective as to their thought processes.  Crutcher’s ability to give humanity even to the most despicable of characters makes him a very unique author in my eyes.

Reader's Annotation

Cutter High School puts athletes above all other students, ignoring the bullying that goes on in the hallways.  When TJ Jones decides to recruit some of the school misfits for the newly formed swim team, he hopes to give them the respect and dignity they deserve.

Information About the Author

Chris Crutcher is the author of thirteen books -- ten novels, two short story collections and an autobiography.  Prior to his work as an author, he taught school in Washington and California and acted as director of an Oakland alternative school for nearly a decade.  That academic history coupled with 25 years as a child and family therapist specializing in abuse and neglect has infused his literary work with realism and emotional heft.  His signature blend of tragedy and comedy have made him a favorite with teen and adult readers. 

In defending his novel, Whale Talk, Chris Crutcher wrote, “My father was a World War II B-17 pilot who when he was the same age as I was when I graduated college, had flown 35.  Bombing missions over Germany; eleven before he came back with all his engines.  He was a patriot and a vocal “conservative.”  If you were to run as a “conservative” in our county for any office from Dog Catcher to President of the United States, my dad was your county campaign guy.  He was also on the school board during all my, and my sibling’s, years in public school, and he’d have run a nail through his eye before allowing a book to be censored.  He was a consummate believer in the Constitution he thought he went to war to defend.  He believed the idea of “separation of church and state,” was a concept conceived to protect the church and the state.  My father’s and my politics were very different, but we certainly agreed on that point.” (quote retrieved from author’s website: http://www.chriscrutcher.com/delaware-2009.html)

Genre

Young Adult – Realistic/Sports

Curriculum Ties

English - Reading Comprehension and Literary Response and Analysis

Booktalking Ideas

1. Compare the coaching styles of Coach Benson and Coach Simet

2. Discuss the effects the accident has on TJ’s father

3. Focus on the relationship between TJ and Carly

4. Address the environment that forms in the team bus

Reading Level/Interest Age

14+

Challenge Issues

The novel has many potential challenge issues, including use of profanity and racial slurs, as well as discussions of abuse, bullying, and sexual situations.

When confronted with complaints about this novel, librarians should become familiar with the material and its content.  Turn to reviews from publications such as Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, and Booklist, as well as reviews from teens that have read it.  Also, it is beneficial for librarians to present reasons backed by the ALA in support of intellectual freedom.  As stated in the Library Bill of Rights:

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

Why Include Book in Selection? 

Having read Deadline by Chris Crutcher, I wanted to read another of his novels.