Dolphin Diaries
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Dolphin Diaries is a series of books by LUCY DANIELS. This is a work of fiction.
Dolphin Diaries takes place on a schooner, called the Dolphin Dreamer, in the ocean. The characters aboard are on a scientific expedition, though rather than learning anything new as the plot claims is their quest, the books repeat already largely known facts about dolphins. The idea behind the journey is to make stops at different ports where information on dolphins will be exchanged by the marine biologists and other scientists, establishing a "Dolphin Universe" in which dolphin-related information is exchanged freely. In this fanciful tale, all the characters have their own computers and the latest anything they need, from underwater speakers to tagging devices. They spend an ideal year travelling the world in their personal schooner in comfort and style, watching and interacting with dolphins. Dolphin Diaries features a crew of marine biologists and their assorted assistants:
[edit] The Characters
-- Jody McGrath, is the heroine of the series. She loves dolphins, can play the recorder, and is twelve years old. She is over-enthusiastic with anything concerning dolphins and is nearly as knowledgeable as her parents on the subject. She is the one who comes up with nearly every stroke of inspiration, beginning with attracting dolphins by playing her recorder. She is also often thrown into peril, whether merely being knocked over or actually nearly drowning to death.
-- Sean and Jimmy McGrath, her brothers, are red-haired twins whose mischief often gets them into trouble.
-- Gina McGrath, the mother of Jody, Sean and Jimmy, is a qualified marine biologist and interested in dolphins. She is supportive of her daughter and a mentor to her sons, but is more often complaining about what trouble-makers her twins are.
-- Craig McGrath, the father of the above-named children, is a qualified marine biologist. He often makes jokes and complains the most of anyone about Dr. Taylor. He is an excellent artist.
-- Dr. Taylor is a sort of bland antagonist. He means no harm, but is considered dull by everyone else onboard. He represents an oil company that sponsored the expedition for a reason never adequately explained.
-- Brittany Pierce, an acknowledged antagonist. Brittany infuriates everyone on the expedition, as she is abandoned with her father by her mother who leaves for France for no reason. Her mother and father are divorced, and her wealthy mother, with whom she spends most her time, spoils her. Her mother tells her that her father will take her to the Bahamas, but he is unable to do so, despite being the captain of the Dolphin Dreamer because he has the expedition to think of and can't leave his daughter alone in the Bahamas anyway. Brittany frequently appears sea-sick, upset, pushy and just plain rude.
-- Harry Pierce is Brittany's father. He is a British captain and can't control his daughter.
-- Maddie is a stereotypical black college-age adult female, and an assistant to the two marine biologists. She is the children's teacher during the school months, and has an assortment of duties that don't seem to fall under any other characters' categories. If a job needs to be done, but there is no reasonable reason any other character should do it, the job will fall to Maddie. She is one of the few people who Brittany is willing to treat with any respect.
-- Cameron Tucker is the first mate and takes over for Captain Pierce whenever he is called upon to do so.
-- Mei Lin is the cook and the engineer. As is stereotypically portrayed of Chinese women, she is a very good cook and always manages to have the supplies to make way too much of whatever she makes for a meal. She used to live in China, where she was studying to become an engineer, but now lives in America, speaks English, and is stereotypically timid and delightfully easy to upset.
[edit] The Books
- Into the Blue
- Touching the Waves
- Riding the Storm
- Under the Stars
- Chasing the Dream
- Racing the Wind
- Following the Rainbow
- Dancing the Seas
- Leaving the Shallows
- Beyond the Sunrise
