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Kelley Kay Bowles
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Down in the Belly of the Whale Kindle Edition

by Kelley Kay Bowles (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 58 ratings
See all formats and editions
Harper Southwood is a teenage girl who can sense when people will get sick—but so what? She can’t predict her best friend’s depression or her mother’s impending health crisis. Being helpful is all Harper ever wanted, but she feels helpless in the face of real adversity. Now, she’s got a chance to summon her courage and use her wits to fight for justice.

Laugh and cry along with this cute, high-spirited teen in her astonishing journey of self-discovery, as she learns that compassion and internal strength are her real gifts, her true superpower.

REVIEWS:

“Bowles . . . clearly understands the world of young adults. Her depiction of Harper—her anxieties and excitability; her inner and outer personas; her heightened sense of the importance of “now”—cannot fail to pull readers into a teen mindset. The story is increasingly dark, yet in the telling it neither wallows nor depresses. Harper is allowed strength in her vulnerability. For all her isolation, it is her empathy that makes her special. There is a message here but not one that is pushed beyond the pale. Bowles writes to engage and to confront yet always seemingly with the intent to uplift. The resulting novel, far from being a leaden treatise on teen suffering, spurns literary pretensions and strives instead to include Harper’s generation of young adults and give this group its due. Girls especially will relate, but there is room here for everyone. A sage, vivacious tale of people set apart and brought together.” —Kirkus Reviews (a Kirkus recommended review)

“Bowles' writing is lively and fun, yet still grounded and full of depth. . . . This is a wonderful book that cleverly explores some powerful and painful emotions.” —Victor Catano, best-selling author of Tail & Trouble

“Tackles sensitive social issues with heartfelt emotion and tender wit. . . . Well-drawn characters and themes exploring the mysterious power of the unseen infuse this inventive, revelatory novel.” —Kathleen Gerard, author of the novels The Thing Is, In Transit, and Cold Comfort

“I have lived through a trauma similar to one described in this book, and Kelley handles it in a careful, tactful, and compassionate manner. She illustrates good role models for healthy families as well as a gentle treatment of dysfunctional ones. . . . dense with activity and drama, dealing with difficult topics that are on a teenager’s mind in a sensitive manner that includes a good dose of humor and healing.” —Laura H Kelly, author, contributor to the anthology, Things We Haven’t Said

“An enjoyable and captivating read.” —Brian S. Leon, author of Havoc Rising

“Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, sometimes hopeful, always true . . . Down in the Belly of the Whale is Ordinary People for a new generation.” —Jason Parent, author of What Hides Within and Seeing Evil

“Humorous and harrowing, romantic and revealing, and an honest true-to-life lesson about being a teenager in this most interesting of times. . . . definitely a must read.” —Shawn Clingman, English/drama teacher and director, Grand Junction High School.

“A fast-paced, yet heartfelt account of an average teenager whose life takes a series of sudden and unexpected turns. . . . Possibly the most important aspect of Down in the Belly of the Whale, are the messages that it conveys. Some of these messages are to be brave, even when you think you cannot be, that you belong even when you think you do not, that the person you thought you loved is not the right person for you, and that high school anatomy is as awful as I has I remember it.” —Timmie Quitugua, librarian

“This book literally had me crying. It was really good! . . . I would totally recommend this book!” —Erin B., teenaged reviewer and book blogger, NetGalley
Previous page
  1. Print length
    241 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    May 5, 2018
  5. Reading age
    13 - 18 years
  6. File size
    2351 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B079KR6Z17
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Aionios Books, LLC; 2nd edition (May 5, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 5, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2351 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 241 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 58 ratings

About the author

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Kelley Kay Bowles

Kelley Kay Bowles

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Kelley Bowles Gusich writes young adult novels under the pen name Kelley Kay Bowles and cozy mysteries under Kelley Kaye. Her debut novel, cozy mystery Death by Diploma, was released in February 2016, and is first in her Chalkboard Outlines® series. Book 2, Poison by Punctuation, was released April 2018. Book 3. Strangled by Simile, was released May 25, 2021 and the series will conclude with Book 4, Murder by Metaphor, in 2024.

Kelley has a new YA Paranormal series called The Meld.. Kelley's young adult novel, Down in the Belly of the Whale is available with Kelley, the author, as narrator! (She used to teach drama and direct plays. She likes being silly..)

Kelley taught high school English and drama for twenty years in Colorado and California, but a 1994 diagnosis of multiple sclerosis has (circuitously and finally) brought her to the life of writer and mother, both occupations she adores and dreamed about way back when she was making up stories revolving around her Barbie and Ken.

Kelley has two wonderful and funny sons and an amazing husband who cooks for her. She lives in Southern California.

Kelley remains ever grateful to her readers for sharing their reviews, comments, and insights!

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
58 global ratings
When life takes you to the dark...
5 Stars
When life takes you to the dark...
"When people around me are getting sick, my nose itches, or I start sneezing, or my body reacts in some bizarre way. It's not a gift or a power in my opinion, because it doesn't do anything for anybody. I can warn people to dive into the orange juice, I guess, but aren't you supposed to drink that stuff a lot anyway? Some help I am."......Meet Harper Southwood. She’s a teenager with all the fears and hopes of a young girl. She has an uncanny ability to feel when others are getting sick. Of course it makes her feel like an outsider in her world. At least she has her friend Cora, and the cute boy she'd like to date. Her parents are ok, and her uncle is a great comfort to her.When her mom suffers a mysterious sudden illness, and her friend suffers a personal crisis, Harper questions everything. Will Harper find her place in this world? Her family, and best friend Cora, and her special power are all at the forefront of her life.With an interesting cast of characters, family ties and light comedy, it played well to the sudden changes in Harper’s life. I enjoyed this story more than I expected. The story took me in a direction I didn’t see coming. I like that. Unpredictable, and not your typical teen angst. Maybe the things you think you want in life are not really what you need.
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Top reviews from the United States

sherry
5.0 out of 5 stars Poignant and humorous book about REAL life situations
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2018
Verified Purchase
“Down in the Belly of the Whale” is a book ostensibly for young adults, but Kelly Bowles wrote this is such a way that I, who am far from young, was caught up from the beginning. Although the main character is indeed a young adult, the topics, and Bowles’ sensitive yet humorous way of handling those topics, caught my attention and kept it through to the end.
Kelley’s experience as a high school teacher is evident in the Harper’s angst over EVERYTHING- a zit, self-consciousness, not belonging, crushes, as well as her favorite and not favorite teachers. The relationships and dialogue are believable and genuine. I felt like I was back in high school!
The book was eye-opening and educational about many topics that interest young people, yet those topics were woven into the story in such a way that made me just want to keep reading.
I was a very conservative mother when my kids were teens and I wondered how I would have felt about them reading this book then. But I realize that these topics are of great interest to young people, and I think Kelley handled them in a sensitive way that answers their questions and gives them positive tools to deal with real life situations. Every teen should have such delightful and loving family, even though they are a little untraditional, and Harper is definitely a teen you would like to know.
2 people found this helpful
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L. Ruetz
5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful book about love and friendship and finding yourself
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is a fascinating read about teenagers, family, feelings of not belonging and trauma. Harper is a teenager who feels a disconnect with her family, so much so that she feels she might be a changling. Cora is Harpers friend and together the two of them navigate the world of high school and growing up together. Until the comfortable world the two friends have is rocked to the core by a secret and a desperate act to escape. The book focuses very much on Harper, who feels that because she is clumsy and awkward isn't really her parent's daughter, and how she comes to take a stand to protect a friend.
I did not want to put this down - the well, crafted book runs through the gamut of family issues, relationships and love, as well as coming together to protect and help those that matter. This is a book with heart and will touch you emotionally.
2 people found this helpful
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lori vagner
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2019
Verified Purchase
“A recent study found that we are experiencing the highest recorded prevalence of mental illness in the US adolescent and young adult population

Ms Bowles addresses this painful reality in the humor and pathos of her adolescent heroine Harper.

Queries, laughter, and tears embue this story about physical and mental illness and friendship and love. We journey with Harper through self-doubt and abuse to hope and inspiration. Readers will feel the laughter and tears of adolescence and will grow with the characters as they blossom and mature with courage, tolerance, and love.
Bowles has the knack to delight and entertain while educating. Our youth and their parents will be amused and challenged in this belly of a whale.”
Kenneth Khoury MD Psychiatrist
One person found this helpful
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Helen Hogan
5.0 out of 5 stars Teenagers Go to Great Lengths to Escape their Families
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2019
Verified Purchase
The girl has convinced herself she is not the daughter of her parents but a changeling Troll. Yet the story is not a faery tale. Bowles' little heroin frequently thinks she doesn't matter but she does. She is the one who steps forward and contacts authorities with the help of her mother as soon as he best friend reveals she live for years 7-11 under molestation from her uncle pretending to help her ope with her mother dying from breast cancer.
The serious problem foreces one young lady to grow up and saves one from years of fear and guilt. Bowles foes a great job getting into the heads of each of the girls.
One person found this helpful
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Dorothy C. Minor
4.0 out of 5 stars A YA Book That Tackles Important Topics
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2020
As an eclectic reader, I enjoy books for all ages. When I had the opportunity to review a YA title called Down in the Belly of the Whale by Kelley Kay Bowles, I was delighted. I enjoy reading young adult books.

Harper Southwood, our narrator and main character, is a high school sophomore. She tells her readers that she feels she must be a changeling because she fits the description well. As a baby, she was “pretty cute, all toothless smiles and fat rolls.” Now, as a teenager, she does not like what she sees in the mirror. These feelings of not liking one’s self are not uncommon in teenagers as they navigate the move from childhood to adulthood—a period that often takes more time than the teenager would like. Harper buries these feelings about herself, her hatred of “over half my teachers,” and her lack of friends except for her friend Cora Perkins.

One afternoon, Harper is talking with her mother who is holding a glass of tea. The tea glass suddenly slips from her hand, spilling over her lap and the floor. The cat jumps off her lap and runs away. Both Harper and her mother dismiss the incident as a simple accident. Then Harper sees marks on Cora’s arm and fears Cora is cutting herself.

While Harper thinks little of her mother’s dropping the glass, she focuses on Cora and how to help her. Harper has developed a knack for knowing when someone is ill or needs help: her knees twitch. The problem is the twitching knees don’t work with her mother or Cora.

The story ramps up as Harper’s mother continues to have tests to determine what is ailing her. An immediate troubling turn with Cora makes Harper anxious too when Cora attempts suicide by cutting both wrists. Luckily, her father discovers her and she is hospitalized before she loses too much blood.

When Harper visits Cora in the hospital, Cora reveals a shocking secret that sends Harper on a quest to avenge Cora and find justice. That secret also explains why Cora has been cutting herself and why it escalated into a suicide attempt. Harper determines that she will find justice for Cora.

Down in the Belly of the Whale tackles several tough issues, especially tough for teenagers. Luckily, Harper’s parents are supportive and understanding even as her mother awaits her diagnosis. Cora’s father, on the other hand, refuses to believe the accusations Cora has made and attacks her instead.

Harper must deal with a great many issues, not the least of which for a teenager is having a crush on a boy. Harper’s mother, Isabelle, does get a diagnosis: multiple sclerosis. The family must now learn about drugs to help slow the disease and ways to keep Isabelle as healthy as possible. Harper continues to help Cora find justice and safety too.

Bowles starts each chapter by defining a word. One of my favorite words, flummoxed, is found at the beginning of chapter 10. Each word is carefully chosen for that chapter and the events that will unfold there. It is an effective device. I was disappointed in some of the raw language in the book. However, I can understand that some of the scenes call for it.

Kelley Kay Bowles and Kelley Kaye are pen names Kelley Bowles Gusich uses for her writing. Young adult novels appear under the name Kelley Kay Bowles while cozy mysteries sport the name Kelley Kaye. Read about both kinds of books and Kelley Kay Gowles Gusich herself on her Web site.
I received a free advance review copy of this book and have written a completely unbiased and unrestricted review of the book.
2 people found this helpful
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Reading's my thing
5.0 out of 5 stars A Story of Life Love and Being Young
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2021
Verified Purchase
Excellent read and I am not normally a YA lover. There was something about the characters which held your interest as this excellent author weaves a tale of family dynamics, tragedy and dealing with the emotions. The characters 'feel real' and you find yourself 'right there' experiencing the same emotions of sadness and also kindness
I highly recommend this to all You won't be disappointed.
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