Here we have White Dolphin summary chapters 31–38
White Dolphin summary chapters 31–38 mark the emotional and dramatic climax of the novel, where loss, courage, and hope collide. In these chapters, Gill Lewis masterfully weaves together human struggle and the power of nature, leading the story toward a moving and unforgettable conclusion. The following summaries highlight the key events that shape Kara’s journey and bring the novel’s central message to life.
Summary of Chapter 31
Let’s continue with the White Dolphin summary chapters 31–38. Despite the voluntary ban, trawlers from other towns keep on fishing in the sea. Local fishermen are facing a tough situation due to outsiders violating the fishing laws. They are not able to get enough lobsters and crabs. Meanwhile, Kara and Felix are wandering through the local market in search of something to eat when Kara suddenly notices Ethan and Jake sitting inside Moana. Without hesitation, she rushes toward them in anger and orders them to leave her boat; however, Jake responds with a mocking grin, informing her that Moana no longer belongs to her. Soon after, Kara learns that her father sold the boat to Dougie Evans in an emergency, a revelation that leaves her completely heartbroken. Distraught and overwhelmed, she runs back to Aunt Bev’s house, only to find that her father has already left for Exeter for a job interview. Although Aunt Bev tries to console her, Kara remains emotionally shattered, feeling that the protective shell around her, her mother, and her father has finally broken.
Summary of Chapter 32
The skies are low and heavy. All the fishing boats have returned to safety, except Dougie’s trawlers. Felix excitedly tells Kara that his dad has hired a sailing coach for him. Mr Andersen wants Felix to participate in the junior training squad for the Paralympics sailing team. Kara is too excited to hear this. Felix wants Kara to be his boat partner in the race, but Kara avoids it. She is not sure where she will be after a few weeks. They will have to shift from Aunt Bev’s house to somewhere else.
On the way back home, Kara hears Adam and Joe talking about a shark being caught by Dougie Evans. Kara doubts in her mind, so she takes Felix with her to have a look. A small crowd is gathered beside Dougie’s trawler near the fish market. She tries to push her way through to have a closer look. A grey body of a dead dolphin lies on the concrete. She is Angel’s mother.
Here we have White Dolphin summary chapters 31–38
Summary of Chapter 33
Kara bursts into tears. She runs towards the cove and cries slowly. Suddenly, she hears the burst of dolphin breath. It’s Angel who has come to find her mother. She sends a series of whistles, and Kara knows she is desperately calling to her mother. Kara wants to touch her body and stroke her to comfort her. She slides away and disappears underwater. Kara goes after her into the rough waves to console her. Felix and his dad call her back.
Her dad is worried about her. Kara wants to stay near the cove to look after Angel, but Felix wants her to get back home. Felix hands over a white envelope. He tells her that there was something else he found on the memory stick. His dad investigated that thing, and so far, he has been successful. Kara’s heart beats faster. She is sure that the envelope holds something to do with her Mum.
Summary of Chapter 34
Kara opens a white envelope containing a photograph of her mother and studies it repeatedly, hoping to uncover hidden truths. In the picture, her mother is crouched beside Kara in diving gear, her face marked by intense concentration, at what appears to be a busy port filled with ships. Felix later reveals that the photograph was taken at Honiara, a port in the Solomon Islands, just before sunset on the night her mother disappeared. He explains that the image was found in the archives of a local newspaper, along with a memory stick containing a folder titled “Honiara” and a list of places Kara’s mother had been visiting. Although the photograph confirms that her mother went diving that night, it does not explain what happened to her.
Later, Kara, Felix, and Daisy head into town for food as dark clouds gather, signalling an approaching storm. On their way back, Jake and Ethan stop them, boast about buying a new house, and challenge Kara and Felix to a race. Despite Kara’s warning about the storm, the boys sail off in Moana without reefing the sails or wearing life jackets. As the boat scrapes past the harbour wall, Felix decides to chase them. While Daisy is terrified, Kara urges her to alert her father and the coastguard. Realising the danger, Kara grabs life jackets for Jake and Ethan, determined to stop them before they sail beyond the headland.
Summary of Chapter 35
It is very difficult for Felix and Kara to control their dinghy in the rough sea. There are ocean currents and strong winds out there. Moana is lurching through the waves. Jake and Ethan are struggling to control the sails. Suddenly, Jake disappears beneath the waves. Kara tries to balance the dinghy as Felix moves towards Ethan and Moana. Jake’s head rises above the water, then sinks under again. Kara clutches Jake’s shirt as a wave rolls him up.
For a second, Kara saw a flash of white beneath the waves, something beneath Jake pushing him up towards the air. She could not figure out what it was. Felix brings Dinghy closer to Moana. Kara helps Jake put on a life jacket. Blood is pouring through his hair and down his forehead. Kara climbs into Moana to help Ethan. Felix takes Jake to the seashore in his dinghy. Kara is not sure she will be able to sail Moana to the shore.
Summary of chapter 36:
Kara helps Ethan pull his life jacket on. Moana is taking on water fast, heeling far over in the water. Kara tries to concentrate. She has to find a solution as soon as possible. Kara cuts the spinnaker rope. She pulls on the mainsail and slides back to the tiller. Moana has a problem moving straight as it is filling with water. There is a tearing crack, and they can feel it split the water. The waves thump her and push her towards the cliff. Kara grabs the flare and reads the instructions. The flare is all wet. Even then, she pulls the tag and holds it skywards. Luckily, a blast of light explodes from the flare.
Moana’s hull crushes against the rocks, and her keel is being wrenched away. They hear a helicopter hovering above them. A man drops down towards them and rescues them. The wind spins them around as they are lifted into the sky. Kara sees Moana being crushed into pieces.
Hope you find White Dolphin summary chapters 31–38 useful.
Summary of Chapter 37
As soon as Kara and Ethan get into the helicopter, she inquires about Felix. The captain says that first, he will take them to the town and then go back out to look for Felix and Jake. The helicopter lands, and an ambulance comes towards them. Kara’s dad runs towards her and holds her tightly. Felix’s Mum worriedly asks about Felix. Dougie Evans is also there. Kara briefs them that Felix and Jake are in the dinghy.
But there is no dinghy in the harbour, no sign of Felix or Jake. Kara notices Miss. Penluna is leaning over the granite wall, staring out into the waves. Dougie Evans cries and sobs in grief. Miss. Penluna whispers to Dougie that Jake is in the company of angels. Suddenly, Kara sees the white hull of Felix’s dinghy. The dinghy is running with the wind. The wave is pushing them sideways along the line of breaking surf. Soon, Kara sees both of them slumped inside the dinghy. Felix gives the thumbs up and smiles. People on the harbour cheer for them.
Summary of chapter 38:
Kara wakes up and realises that she is in Daisy’s room. Daisy takes Kara to meet someone. She is beaming. She has a baby sister. Kara sits down beside the baby and stares at her. Daisy has named her Mo, short for Moana. Dougie Evans gives Uncle Tom his job back with a pay rise. Dougie Evans arrives to greet Tom and Bev, appearing noticeably transformed by recent events. Grateful and humbled, he thanks Kara for saving his son’s life, while Jake insists that it was a white dolphin that lifted him from the water. Acknowledging the damage caused by dredging, he admits that tearing up the seabed would leave nothing behind and therefore signs the petition to protect the ocean.
Later, he offers Kara’s father a job, but Jim explains that he has already secured another opportunity, having been accepted into a boat-building course at the boatyard. This course will help him with his dyslexia. They have got a caravan as a temporary home. Kara sees Angel twisting and turning in the water. Kara knows the vast blue ocean is waiting for her.
The final chapters of White Dolphin leave readers with a powerful reminder of responsibility, resilience, and respect for the natural world. Through danger, sacrifice, and redemption, Kara emerges stronger, carrying forward her mother’s legacy and the hope of a protected ocean. The novel closes not with an ending, but with a promise—one that calls upon humanity to listen, care, and act before it is too late.