11. The Great Wide Sea by M.H. Herlong (Viking, 2008)

BOOK: REALISTIC FICTION/SURVIVAL/ACTION-ADVENTURE (ages 11-16)

Brief Description: An engrossing story of a family grieving the loss of their mother, The Great Wide Sea will completely captivate the reader. Ben, Dylan and Gerry are suddenly whisked away by their father on a year-long adventure sailing in the Bahamas. They are shocked by this revelation, but have no choice but to go. The strained relationship between the boys, and particularly 15 year old Ben and the father prevails for most of the first half of the book. When a series of accidents, which function as foreshadowing, draw them slightly closer together, the narrative relaxes the reader into complacency, however, there is always an undercurrent of tension right under the surface of the story. When Ben wakes up to discover his father missing, and a serious storm begins to howl, the story takes a dramatic turn which doesn't ebb until the final chapter when we learn about the meaning of forgiveness.

Awards: Booklist, Starred Review; YALSA Best Books for YA, 2010; YALSA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults, 2010; Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 2010.

Personal Opinion: I nearly read this in one sitting, and, sorry for the cliche, but I couldn't put it down. How nice it is when we encounter a "zipless" read and thoroughly enjoy a book; this was certainly one of them. The pacing was smooth and fast, characters were beautifully developed, and misunderstandings prevailed but were resolved by the end. I enjoy survival stories, and this one measured up well, but here, we have an element of relationship that isn't always present in other stories of this nature. The web of the four guys and their personal dealing with the death of the mom is intricate, deep, and beautifully drawn. I found myself as interested in their dealings with one another as I was in the adventure of sailing around the Bahamas. I was interested enough to check out the internet and study the islands to chart their course; it would have been nice if a map had been included in the book.

Programming/Curriculum: The possibilities are nearly endless here! Create a timeline and chart of the boat's journey on a map as the book is read. Watch sailing videos or invite a sailing expert to give a talk. Learn to tie knots, study storm development, and have a discussion on the many facets of the grieving process.

1. The River by Gary Paulsen, Narrated by Peter Coyote (Listening Library, 2005)

AUDIO BOOK: SURVIVAL (ages 12+)

Brief Description: Fans of Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet will enjoy revisiting Brian Robeson as he reluctantly accepts a challenge to assist government wilderness trainers to show them the skills he learned when stranded one year earlier. After discussion with his mother, he accepts the invitation by Derek, and the two set off on their adventure. Brian is initially disgusted by the ease of the campsite setting, claiming that it is not a real "danger" situation. When a storm strikes and Derek is badly injured along with their only communication with the outside world, Brian must attempt a rescue, using the river as transportation for him and his comatose companion.

Awards: Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002 ; California Department of Education; California

Personal Opinion: I enjoyed this audio narrated by Peter Coyote - who utilized outstanding expression and intensity in his voice. There was an element of predictability, but it added to the enjoyment of the story. It was fun revisiting Brian as he faced another man vs. nature situation, and I wondered if Paulsen would be able to pull off a way to put Brian back into trouble, but he does so surprisingly well. The audio included suspenseful music and sounds of the river to enhance the listening experience. This survival story makes for fast-paced listening action.

Programming Idea: Have a “survival skill” expert present simple ways to keep yourself alive if ever found in the wilderness without supplies. Display nonfiction titles on this topic, and feature Paulsen’s books Hatchet, Brian’s Winter, Brian’s Hunt, and Brian’s Return. Also, a book club for boys could feature these novels over the summer months.