The Music of Dolphins

The Music of Dolphins, by Karen Hesse, is a children's book that follows the story of Mila (translated as an abbreviated form of the Spanish word for "miracle"), a feral child raised by a pod of dolphins around the Florida Keys and Caribbean.

The novel uses a narrative structure that parallels Mila's increasing comprehension of English. At the novel's opening, when Mila is with the dolphins and cannot speak English, the story is told from a neutral third person (Mila's POV) perspective. The text moves to simple English as the protagonist learns human language, becomes more complex as her emotions increase, reverts to simple English when she yearns for the dolphins again, and finally goes back to the third person perspective.

Though the novel is fiction, it is based on real-life experiences of those who have worked with feral children.

Plot

Mila and her "family" of dolphins were playing and feeding near a cay, where she is discovered by a trio of men in a helicopter, who take her to a clinic for feral children like her.

At that clinic, Mila is raised as a foster child under the supervision of a woman named Dr. Elizabeth Beck. As she learns to become human, she learns more and more about language, rules, and what it is to be human. She stays in the foster home more often as she acclimates, particularly enjoying music, listening to the radio most nights. Mila must also learn socially conventional behavior as she develops a friendship with Shay, a fragile feral child who grew in solitary confinement in the woods. Mila falls in love with Justin, Dr. Beck's son. Sandy, a research facilitator helps Mila and is also very understanding. Mr. Aradondo, a janitor at the facility, reminds Mila of her grandfather.

Mila develops conflicting feelings concerning her own happiness and her own true nature. In the end, she has to decide which she will choose: normal life, or life with the dolphins.

Characters

Mila: The protagonist of the story, a girl raised by dolphins. While on a cay, she is captured and taken to a research facility, where she is taught to be human. "Mila" is an abbreviated form of the Spanish word milagro, meaning "miracle". She was kept by Sandy and Doctor Beck.

Doctor Beck: The Doctor in charge of taking care of Mila. She raised her and she taught her how to be a human.

Shay: A friend of Mila, a little girl. Shay was said to be kept in solitary confinement in Idaho, and possibly, she was there longer before Mila showed up. She was found by the Salmon River Mountains. Later, she is taken to another foster home.

Justin: Doctor Beck's son. He initially appears resentful of Mila and the attention that Dr. Beck gives her, though he later tells Mila that Dr. Beck's interest in Mila is more scientific than familial. Mila falls in love with Justin, later Justin falls in love with her. He likes her but is too shy to say so.

Sandy: A friend of Dr. Beck's. She sometimes acts as a caregiver of Mila. She, to Mila, is the most understanding person.

Mr. Aradondo: A janitor at the facility where Mila is kept. He appears to be afraid of Mila, though he openly expresses concern for her well-being when she develops a high fever. He reminds Mila of her grandfather.

Doctor Troy and Doctor Peach: Colleagues of Doctor Beck, who also help with Mila and shay learn about music and the english language.

External links

• Karen Hesse's page on Macmillan.com