GONE A-WHALING
The Lure of the Sea and the Hunt for the Great Whale

ISBN: 0395698472 (hardcover)
ISBN: 0618432434 (now in paperback!)
Clarion/Houghton Mifflin
Age: 11 up
Non-fiction
 

• An ALA Notable Children’s Book
• A SLJ Best Book of the Year
• An American Bookseller "Picks of the Lists"
• A Parent’s Guide to Children’s Media Award

Told from the perspective of the adventurous boys who eagerly signed aboard whaling ships, Gone A-Whaling traces the history of the American whaling industry from Colonial times, when whales plentifully swam the seas, to the ravaging and near devastation of whales in the late 19^th and early 20^th century.

Compelling journal entries bring to life the young whalers’ days at sea – their quest for adventure and freedom coupled with the grueling nature of their work on board -- and the exhilarating but grisly business of chasing and killing the largest creatures on earth. Away as long as three years at a stretch, these boys experienced more than they bargained for and returned home world-weary but wiser young men.

Fascinating firsthand accounts from journals, letters, and ships' logs, along with rare photographs, line drawings and engravings, vividly create a rich picture of what enticed so many to sign on and the dangers they faced once aboard. Not only does the book document the long hard days, but it also explores stories of the women who accompanied their captain husbands as well the numbers of African-American captains and seamen who sailed the seas.

Ultimately, this book is even more than a history of an industry and a portrait of the boys’ who sought adventure. It is also a moving portrait of the great whale itself told through informational sidebars and descriptions of face-to face encounters from many including the author himself.

School Library Journal (starred): "A lively, engaging and well-researched book. The awe and majesty of the great whale is expressed throughout the book in the many quotes describing face-to-face confrontations between whaler and whale. With its attractive layout and clear readable text, Gone A-Whaling is as inviting as it is interesting and informative."

Children’s Literature: "This stunning, well-researched book about the history of whaling in the United States is so compellingly and so well written that it is difficult to put down.

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA): "Murphy proves once again why he is one of the best writers of nonfiction for young people. Murphy makes history fascinating and immediate with a lively, engrossing narrative that both informs and entertains. Readers will be introduced to a world of exciting adventure and perilous danger, and will be educated about the need for conservation and respect for other living creatures."

Booklist: "Diary entries form the backbone of this fascinating look at whale hunting in America, from the nineteenth century to today. Murphy structures his tale like a whaling voyage, beginning with the thrill of signing up for duty and ending with a grateful trip home. In between, he describes life and work aboard the ship, including the grisly techniques for killing, harvesting, and processing the enormous animals. Primary sources support an emotionally rich narrative, filled with the thoughts of the young men and boys as they move between excitement and boredom, boundless energy and exhaustion.

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