by Sharon Creech
Flap Copy description:
Thirteen-year-old Sophie is the only girl amongst the surly crew of The Wanderer. They sail across the Atlantic toward England, the land of Bompie, her grandfather. The sea calls to Sophie - promising adventure and the chance to explore and discover. But the deep personal journey she takes brings her deeper into a forgotten past than she ever knew she could travel to.
Sophie's thirteen-year-old cousin Cody isn't even sure why his father brought him along on this voyage. Everyone, including his dad, thinks he's nothing but a knuckleheaded doofus. But behind all the goofing off, he wonders if he has the strength to prove himself to the crew and to his father.
Through Sophie's and Cody's travel logs, the amazing experiences of these six wanderers and their perilous journey unfold. Stories of the past and the daily challenges to survive at sea swirl together as The Wanderer sails toward its destination and its passengers search for their places in the world.
My thoughts:
Crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a forty-five foot sailboat, The Wanderer, is a metaphor for Sophie's life as she faces the memories of a painful past. As she approaches Europe, she also approaches the truth of her childhood. Sophie's soul searching causes her fellow crew members to take a hard look at the meaning of their own lives. This beautifully written narrative, by author Sharon Creech, is a 2001 Newbery Honor winner. I highly recommend this book for all young readers.
