Publisher's Synopsis
Most of the protector bulls in the herd of North Pacific fur seals have been slaughtered by an unusually large number of seal hunters who have descended on their Gathering. A scraggly handful of seemingly helpless cows and a few useless bulls must take on the responsibility of survival. Their entire culture is at risk. Shine, The Fat One, Push&Shove, Irish, Grace, and the others must return from their migration with a plan to defeat the Two-Legs, who will surely be back the next hunting season. But these short-memoried animals must be able to recall, throughout the six- to eight-month Great Journey, the attack that wiped out their bulls. Shine, deemed their leader, realizes how they can when she hears the piercing voice of Shrieker barking grief over the loss of her bull. During dangerous, sometimes humorous adventures they have during their Long Journey, the seals engage other creatures of the sea, including mortal enemies, the Toe-Steppers and Snow-Furs. Is it possible to learn from these experiences? Can they convince whales, octopuses, puffins, porpoises and wolves to assist them? Will they even survive confrontations with these animals during their migration? In an exciting conclusion, the herd and what allies they can muster face the humans in an epic battle for survival. This morality tale, like Charlotte's Web and Watership Down, challenges us to ponder how we would respond to a threat against our own existence. With Which the Waters Swarm is suitable for middle grade, young adult, and adult readers.
