Description
A lyrical verse novel of homecoming and friendship by Zana Fraillon, the multi-award-winning author of The Bone Sparrow and The Way of Dog.
All day long we can hear
that Sea howl prowling wild
inside our brains and every part of us is straining
to feel it taste it twirl it whirl it swirl it
inside our body
again.
Houdini the octopus lives in an aquarium, but she misses her home in the wild Sea. She doesn't like the visitors who bang on her tank. Or the way she can't feel the sun on her skin or the wind rippling the water. It's a dull existence for a creature with nine brains.
Then one day she meets someone who is different to the other visitors. Juno's busy brain buzzes with so many questions and thoughts that Houdini's skin tingles with wonder.
But the singing of the Sea is growing stronger and harder to resist. Can Houdini make Juno understand what she needs before it's too late?
Review
The sea is calling Houdini the octopus home. She is tired of being an exhibit for people to stare at and poke fun of at the aquarium.
Named Houdini after the great escapologist, her keeper Paul doesn’t know exactly what Houdini gets up to at night. Joe, the cleaner, keeps finding her further from her tank, but always returns her safely. Houdini can only spend so much time out of water before she will dehydrate so she needs to be careful.
Then Paul's daughter, Juno, appears and she seems to understand Houdini’s plight, but will she help Houdini return to the sea where she belongs?
Song of a Thousand Seas is another beautiful and lyrical verse novel from the wonderful Zana Fraillon that will speak volumes to younger readers. With themes of wildlife, captivity, and the true meaning of home, it is a wonderful novel for students aged from 9 to 12 years.
Teacher notes prepared by the publisher are available on our website for this title.
