Why the Whales Came is a classic and evocative novel by Michael Morpurgo, set on the isolated Scilly Isles during the turbulent period of World War I. The story is told through the eyes of two young children, Gracie and Daniel, who live a relatively sheltered life until they encounter the mysterious "Birdman"—an elderly recluse rumored to be cursed. Their lives are dramatically changed when a family of whales strand themselves on the island's beach. The novel explores themes of superstition, breaking down prejudice against the elderly recluse, and the importance of conservation, culminating in a dramatic effort to save the stranded whales.
