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"I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless."
Psalm 101:3

Odder

VERDICT: Recommended

Concern Level: Low

Book Cover for Odder

Christian Parent Reviews Cross

Christian Parent Review

Concern LevelLow
Concerning & Potentially Concerning Content

There is not much concerning content, but there are a few unfortunate and unnecessary comments we will point out here:

“Scary stories are the best”.

When Odder the otter nears death she hears the waves whisper “Let go Let go Let go”.

There is a mention of otters moving up on the “evolutionary ladder” in regards to the species being smarter than people originally thought.

After getting injured due to a Shark attack, Odder finds out that she will remain at the rescue center and is not surprised; “It’s a relief, giving up and accepting the inevitable. Hope can be exhausting”.

We must be mindful of the thoughts and ideas that are introduced or presented to those that are growing in discernment. For Christian children stories entertaining fear are not “the best” as God has not given us the spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). Our faith in Christ rests on hope ( Hebrews 11:1). Hope in this world is exhausting, but hope in Christ is living; full of joy and peace (1 Peter 1:3, Romans 15:13).

VerdictRecommended
Our Thoughts

Odder is a cute story about a curious, playful, and brave otter. Though it is a fiction story, the reader comes away learning some facts about otters and sharks through humorous light hearted personalities that make you smile. For example, the otter tells the story of her ancestors, she notes that they came from “the fifty” which is based on the true story of a small colony of otters in California in the early 1900s that were once thought to be extinct. The book has 260 pages but only three “Chapters” and about every other page there is a “subchapter” with lines that remind you of poems. Thus, it is a good book for the hesitant, intimidated or light reader as the pages are not word heavy. There are some light concerns as noted above but with proactive conversations, it is a touching story. You can visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium Website for interesting reading on the history of their sea otter program and check out their sea otter live webcam.

Plot Summary

Note: This information is typically from the publisher.

Use with caution

A touching and lyrical tale about a remarkable sea otter, from Newbery Medalist Katherine Applegate, author of Wishtree.

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, practising 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.

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Scripture Reflection

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.

— James 4:7-8

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