Whale Eyes

Some books quietly change the way you look at the world—and this was one of them.

Whale Eyes is James Robinson’s middle grade memoir, but don’t let the label fool you. It’s for anyone who has ever felt different, misread, or unseen. James writes about growing up with strabismus (he calls it “whale eyes”)—a condition that made reading incredibly hard, but being misunderstood even harder.

His words? They stay with you.

“Honestly, I don’t have a problem with the way that I see, my only problem is the way that I am seen.”

As a teacher, this line hit home. We talk a lot about inclusion—but how often do we really see the child who isn’t meeting our eyes? Who’s trying, but we’ve already made up our minds?

This memoir isn’t just about a disability. It’s about dignity. About being known, not fixed.

One of the most honest, thoughtful reads I’ve picked up this year.