Odder
Katherine Applegate
Readers rate it 4.2 (21 on Hardcover)
- Published
- 2022
Content report card
What's inside
Violence
Fighting, weapons, death
Language
Swearing, crude humor
Sexual content
Romance intensity, nudity
LGBTQ+ themes
Presence of characters or themes
Scary or mature
Horror, trauma, heavy themes
Substance use
Alcohol, drugs, smoking
What it offers
Positive messages
Kindness, courage, honesty, resilience
Positive role models
Characters who model good judgment and growth
Educational value
History, science, culture, how the world works
A note for parents
Odder is a lyrical, character-driven novel in verse by a Newbery-winning author that explores resilience and healing through a sea otter's perspective. The story includes a shark encounter and themes of loss/trauma, but these are handled gently and serve the emotional arc rather than being graphic or gratuitous. The book celebrates bravery, curiosity, and human compassion while offering genuine educational content about marine life and animal rehabilitation, making it appropriate for mid-elementary readers and up who can handle mild peril and emotional growth.
Analyzed by AI · 1 hour ago
Parent age guide
Is “Odder” right for your kid?
Ready from about age 7.
From about 6, okay with a grown-up nearby.
For younger readers
- Violence is some (2/5) — a bit much at 6; fine with a grown-up nearby.
- Scary or mature content is some (2/5) — a bit much at 6; fine with a grown-up nearby.
- Suggested for ages 7+.
Based on this book's content report card and typical guidance by age. You know your reader best.
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From the publisher
A touching and lyrical tale about a remarkable sea otter, from Newbery Medalist Katherine Applegate, author of Wishtree. Meet Odder, the Queen of Play: Nobody has her moves. She doesn’t just swim to the bottom, she dive-bombs. She doesn’t just somersault, she triple-doughnuts. She doesn’t just ride the waves, she makes... A touching and lyrical tale about a remarkable sea otter, from Newbery Medalist Katherine Applegate, author of Wishtree. Meet Odder, the Queen of Play: Nobody has her moves. She doesn’t just swim to the bottom, she dive-bombs. She doesn’t just somersault, she triple-doughnuts. She doesn’t just ride the waves, she makes them. Odder spends her days off the coast of central California, practicing her underwater acrobatics and spinning the quirky stories for which she’s known. She’s a fearless daredevil, curious to a fault. But when Odder comes face-to-face with a hungry great white shark, her life takes a dramatic turn, one that will challenge everything she believes about herself—and about the humans who hope to save her. Inspired by the true story of a Monterey Bay Aquarium program that pairs orphaned otter pups with surrogate mothers, this poignant and humorous tale told in free verse examines bravery and healing through the eyes of one of nature’s most beloved and charming animals.
Shelved under
- Juvenile Fiction
- Loveable Characters
- Not Diverse Characters
- Weak Character Development
- Character driven
- hopeful
- sad
- informative
- inspiring
- Adventurous
- Fiction
- Young Adult
ISBN 9781250147424 · Feiwel & Friends