Odder Discussion Questions written by the Hobbit. This post contains affiliate links, you can find out more on our policies page or in the disclaimer at the bottom of the blog.
Know Before You Read Odder
Book: Odder
Author: Katherine Applegate
Age Suggestion: 8+ (3rd grade and up); Read aloud to younger
Pages: 288
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Publication Date: September 20, 2022
Themes: Animal care; Loyalty; Friendship; Courage
Warnings: Loss of parent; loss of child; shark attack
Quick Odder Summary
“Nobody plays like Odder plays.” Odder is the queen of play. Odder, a three-year-old Southern sea otter, and her friend Kairi are in Elkhorn Slough, just outside Monterey Bay. They are thinking about food, and, of course, play. Odder also loves to observe humans – at much too close a distance for her friend. Odder remembers that her mother told her, “Stay away from sharks. Stay away from humans.” However, Odder has already been trapped and relocated several times because she was too friendly with humans. Today she heeds Kairi’s advice, and they move into Monterey Bay for breakfast. Unfortunately, an adolescent shark, who has not learned that sea otters are not a good meal, is nearby.
Background on Odder
Katherine Applegate has written a variety of books for children, ranging from picture books to young adult series. She won the 2013 Newberry for The One and Only Ivan. Several of her books, including Ivan, are stories about animals. Odder is a work of fiction based on fact. It takes several of the endangered otters from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, combines them, and adds fictional details to fill out their stories. Written in free verse, it is a fantastic read for any child who loves animals.
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Odder Review
Why Read Odder
Any child who likes animals will be enchanted with Odder.
The characters are few (primarily Odder). Her story is fascinating and will pull kids into a great learning experience. This would also be a great book for parents to read with kids. The book has no villains (not even the shark). But it does have lots of heroes and is uplifting and inspiring. For some, this may be the start of a career as a marine biologist. Highly recommended.
Is Odder Appropriate? Parent Review
Odder opens with a shark attack which might be scary for younger readers. There is suspense as the otters and shark move closer to the point of the attack. After the attack, there is some doubt that Odder will survive.
The second chapter covers Odder being raised. This includes being separated from her mother at an early age (which happens with sea otters due to how pups are raised). This could conceivably evoke some separation anxiety.
The third chapter has Odder accept that she will remain in the aquarium, and at first rejecting, then accepting, the responsibility of raising pups who have been rescued by the aquarium. Again, a potential for some separation anxiety.
Odder is a middle-grade to young adult book and the above caveats apply primarily to readers 10 and under. 11 and above will almost generally have no problems with Odder.
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Continue reading for our Odder Discussion Questions
Favorite Odder Quotes
Be proud. After long months, know you’ve done your best, that ‘teaching’ and ‘loving’ are different words for the same thing.
She doesn’t just ride the waves, she makes them.
But then, in fairness, nobody’s perfect.
An otter’s life goes like this: eat groom sleep eat groom sleep eat groom sleep
-Odder Quotes
Odder Quiz and More
We have an Odder curriculum aide available for digital download. This download includes:
-Odder discussion questions
-A 10 question multiple choice book quiz with answers
-Essay and project prompts and more
-You can buy it at our Teachers Pay Teachers store for only $2.99 right here.
Odder Discussion Questions
1) How do you feel about the shark? Is the shark a villain?
2) Are you more adventurous, like Odder, or more cautious, like Kairi?
3) What qualities do we show when we strive to take care of sick or injured animals? How do these benefit us throughout life?
4) Odder blames herself for putting Kairi in danger. Have you ever had similar feelings?
5) The final part of the book says that teaching and loving are the same thing. How are they similar and how are they different?
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Thanks for reading our Odder Discussion Questions and Review!
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