A Sea Lion Called Salena by Dale Campbell Gaetz

Lorraine Douglas is the youth services co-ordinator at the Winnipeg Public Library. However, the novel is at times too instructional (for example, when Kristie repeats some of the information she is reading in a book about sea lions), and the pointillistic black-and-white illustrations are awkward and do not enhance this satisfying story. 128 pages 8.95 ISBN 0-88865-069-8 DDC jC813.54. The characters and conflicts are particularly well developed in this sensitive portrayal of Kristie’s relationship with her family and friends, and of her caring for Salena. Kristie manages to protect Salena, with the help of some new friends that she makes, and the sea lion pup is given a new chance at life.

Staff from Undersea World come and take Salena away for medical treatment, and Kristie becomes even more involved in the sea lion’s care. The sea lion pup's problems increase when a local fisherman finds out about her because he fears she will take fish from the commercial nets. Kristie gets unexpected help from her family and Ivan, and they intercept the fishermen. The problems increase when two boys from school, Ivan and David, discover the pup, and the local fishermen decide to shoot Salena. Kristie begins catching fish for Salena but the pup becomes steadily weaker. She is determined to help the pup, whom she names Salena. There she spots a sea lion pup that has been injured by hunters. Kristie, who is really lonely when her best friend moves away, goes off by herself to the beach on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia.

A Sea Lion Called Salena by Dale Campbell Gaetz