Published: 2022
Author: Katherine Applegate
Illustrator: Charles Santoso
Genres: Animal fiction, novel in verse, Poetry, Animals, Fiction, Childrens, Nature, Juvenile
Audience (Grade Levels): Grades 2-8
Number of Stars: 5-Stars
Goodreads Link: Odder
Triggers: Animal distress, shark attack
Review By: Allison Earl
Publisher’s 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.
Review
Katherine Applegate does it again with another heart-wrenching story told from an animal’s perspective. Odder is an inquisitive, adventurous sea otter who has a wonderful story to tell. Readers will learn more about the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s rehabilitation program of orphaned sea otter pups paired with adoptive mothers, with the hopes of returning these pups to the ocean. I loved the free-verse style, as it made for an accessible read for all learners. Illustrations created by Charles Santoso were a wonderful addition to Odder’s story, making me want to watch YouTube videos of sea otters immediately. This book would make an excellent non-fiction pairing with If You Take Away The Otter by Susannah Buhram-Deever.
Classroom & Curricular Connections
- Science / Environmental Studies: This book is an excellent tool for teaching marine biology, specifically ocean ecosystems, food webs, and the critical role sea otters play as a keystone species. It perfectly highlights real-world conservation and the wildlife rehabilitation programs run by institutions like the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
- ELA / Poetry: Written as a novel in verse, the book serves as a wonderful mentor text for studying free-verse poetry, imagery, and anthropomorphism (giving human characteristics to animal protagonists) in an highly accessible format.
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Odder’s struggle with self-doubt and fear after her shark encounter offers a strong connection to themes of resilience, conquering fear, and finding the courage to help others.
- Media Tie In: Pair this book with a research-based conservation activity. Students can watch live wildlife webcams from the Monterey Bay Aquarium to observe real sea otter behaviors, and then work in groups to design a brochure or digital presentation on why protecting sea otters is vital to coastal ecosystems. Additionally, librarians can host a paired reading program matching this novel in verse with the non-fiction title If You Take Away The Otter by Susannah Buhram-Deever to practice cross-genre comparative analysis.
Readalikes
- If You Take Away the Otter by Susannah Buhram-Deever
- The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
- Pax by Sara Pennypacker
