Three terrible things happen to Jimmy in one day: Barker, the school bully, starts to pay attention to him, a whale gets beached in the harbour, and his dad has a stroke. In Jimmy's mind the whale's dilemma and his Dad's are connected, and if Deep doesn't get away, his dad will die. Jimmy and his best friend Ben are acknowledged wimps, but even Barker's attentions pale next to the other problems. Dad is angry inside at his condition, but can't express himself. Jimmy, who is sensitive, understands this. He also understands in some strange way Deep's needs. The whale's efforts to escape invade Jimmy's mind, and he becomes depressed. When he and Ben invent the Great Newt Race to make money for charity, they become heroes at school, and Jimmy's self-esteem is greatly enhanced. Dad gets better slowly, and Deep makes it back to the sea. Very well written, the dialogue makes clear this is a loving, hard-working, family, finding their way through disaster.