Why the Whales Came Novel Study

Why the Whales Came by Michael Morpurgo is a moving historical novel set on the remote island of Bryher in the Isles of Scilly during the early twentieth century. The story follows two children, Gracie and Daniel, who become curious about a mysterious and lonely man known as the Birdman. Despite warnings from the islanders, the children gradually form a friendship with him and uncover the truth behind his past and the island’s long-held secrets. As the story unfolds, they discover how fear, prejudice, and old conflicts can shape a community, while learning about compassion, courage, and forgiveness. In this course, students will explore themes such as friendship, trust, prejudice, forgiveness, courage, and the impact of war on individuals and communities. Through close reading, guided discussion, and literary analysis, students will examine character development, setting, foreshadowing, and the use of mystery to build suspense. Writing activities will include character reflections, theme-based responses, and creative writing inspired by the story. The course strengthens reading comprehension, inferential thinking, empathy, and expressive writing while encouraging students to reflect on the importance of understanding others.