Chasing at the Surface by Sharon Mentyka

Her mother has gone away and it's torn her heart.  She doesn't understand why.  She didn't want to listen when she was leaving and now it's too late.  She also won't read the letters she's sent.  She just wants her mother back.

West Winds Press sent me an ARC of this book to read for review (thank you).  The book is being published today, so you can grab a copy now.

Marisa knows the whales have arrived but that was something she did with her mom and she's not around anymore.  She doesn't much care that they are back until she finds out that the whale baby she named with her mom is in the batch.

Washington is my home state and I spent a lot of time at the beach.  I've seen the orcas and they are beautiful fish.  They're also very powerful and wondrous to watch.  Here's a video you can watch to get a taste of what this book is about:  Chasing at the Surface.

Marisa is so mourning the loss of her mother that she's not talking to her father or her friends.  They try to bring her out of herself but she won't do it.  But the whales do...

The whales have come into a natural harbor chasing chum salmon.  They're happily eating and playing in the water until the boats start to arrive.  When news of the pod goes out, the harbor gets crowded with everything from tour boats, kayaks, speed boats and more.  The whales get nervous.  When they try to leave a boat prevents them from doing it.  And the whales are getting run down from lack of food and nerves.  Marisa decides to do something about it.

Marisa learns a lot about herself in this story.  She learns how strong she can be, how to stand up for what she believes in, and how to make it happen.  Everything ends well.  You'll learn a lot about whales, environmental issues and government regulations.  But the main story line is what keeps you interested.  I'm glad happy ever after won in this story!