Philbrick, Nathaniel. Revenge of the Whale: The True Story of the Whaleship Essex. Audio Bookshelf (2005). (Audio book read by Taylor Mali. Available in CD, cassette, preloaded digital audio player, and printed book.) Preloaded digital audio player: ISBN-10: 1605146048

Plot Summary

This audiobook begins with a lively whaling song. In this true story, the 1821 whaling ship, Essex, is attacked and sunk by an enraged whale. Twenty members of the crew jump into leaky lifeboats. After 3 months in the lifeboats, only 3 crew members survive.

Critical Evaluation

The story is gripping, but also gruesome. Listeners beware!

Reader's Annotation

This is a true story about the 1821 whaling ship that is attacked by an angry whale.

About the Audio Bookshelf

Heather Frederick founded Audio Bookshelf, an award-winning producer and publisher of audio books, in 1992. Each audio book in Audio Bookshelf contains reviews, and some entries even have Curriculum Connections.

Genre

Multimedia (audio book)

Curriculum Ties

Language Arts, Social Studies

Booktalking Ideas

*Students learn about the 1812 whaling ship that gets attacked by a whale. Only three crew members end up surviving.

Reading Level/Interest Age

Grades 5-8

Reason for Book Selection

Students of all ages enjoy listening to stories on tape – fiction and nonfiction.