The A-List Book Club: "Whalefall" by Daniel Kraus

Jump into adult titles that hit the perfect sweet spot for teen readers. Each month, we’ll read award-winning books that keep the fast-paced drama, high energy, and relatable characters you love from YA. If you're ready for the next step, this is the place to start! For Grades 6-12 About "Whalefall" by Daniel Kraus: Jay Gardiner has given himself a fool’s errand—to find the remains of his deceased father in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Monastery Beach. He knows it’s a long shot, but Jay feels it’s the only way for him to lift the weight of guilt he has carried since his dad’s death by suicide the previous year. The dive begins well enough, but the sudden appearance of a giant squid puts Jay in very real jeopardy, made infinitely worse by the arrival of a sperm whale looking to feed. Suddenly, Jay is caught in the squid’s tentacles and drawn into the whale’s mouth where he is pulled into the first of its four stomachs. He quickly realizes he has only one hour before his oxygen tanks run out—one hour to defeat his demons and escape the belly of a whale.