The Boy Who Met a Whale

In Farook’s (The Girl Who Stole an Elephant) second outing set on the beautiful, Sri Lanka-inspired island of Serendib, the lives of grieving fisher boy Razi and his sister Shifa are further upended by the arrival of Zheng, a loquacious seafaring child who claims to be on the run from two villainous thieves after escaping a shipwreck. The siblings are skeptical of Zheng’s tales but soon find themselves on a maritime adventure featuring an ancient dagger, a sea vessel chase, and an encounter with the titular whale. Farook draws from Sri Lankan geography, ecology, and culture, punctuating the text with vivid descriptions of Indian Ocean port city Galle, marine life, Razi’s fishing village, and delicious Sri Lankan foods. Razi’s wonder at the natural beauty and fauna of the island never fails “to amaze him and lift his spirits,” brightening this treasure hunt tale, which offers a fantastical, fresh take on familiar tropes. Ages 8–12. Agent: Joanna Moult, Skylark Literary. (Feb.)