Whale Talk, by Chris Crutcher, is a fantastic novel about high school “outcasts” overcoming the odds. Crutcher is not afraid to dive into the "deep end" of YA Lit, mature issues including abuse, a physically challenged character, and murder.
If there is one thing that is most important to Cutter High School, it’s athletics. The “Jocks” get away with anything, while non-athletes are looked down upon. T.J., an extremely athletically gifted African Japanese boy, decides to start a swim team in order to help some of the “outcasts” earn a Varsity letter jacket. The Varsity letter jacket is the most coveted prize at Cutter High.
Chris Crutcher uses the varsity jacket as symbolism. The book expresses how the "materials" that make up the varsity letter jacket are far less valuable than the feeling of satisfaction the swim team earns. After the season, all but one of the swimmers were able to earn a jacket except T.J, and eventually he earns something even more special.
Hard work and determination pay off as T.J. and his friends accomplish things that once seemed unimaginable. The Cutter High swim team overcomes bad facilities, the school administration, and above all their pasts. Whale Talk is a great story about courage, love, and sticking up for the little guy.
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