Moving, and exciting, and humorous, and enriching. Very good book. However, in all honesty, to me, it managed to be both facile and awkward.

I mean, Everything Just Fit - of course there's a bully, of course there's a mentor, of course the father isn't in the way of the adventures, of course the child is both impulsive but also wise enough to be patient with his father and to hang on to his mother's advice and to remember to use it when convenient. And Yet - several 'lessons' were presented several times, but also, even though the boy wonders about them, we never learn the motivations of the bully.

Enjoyable, worth recommending, but I don't see it as something that will stick in kids' hearts. Much of Philbrick's work is better than this, imo.

And now, since it's been, erm, probably three decades since I read the Hemingway story, I'd better go do that. ( )

An excellent story of a twelve-year-old boy, Skiff, whose mom recently died. His dad has lost all interest in life. It tells of his struggles with bullying, fishing, earning money to survive. and dealing with a depressed dad. A good book to teach building suspense in a story. ( )

For readers:

This book is sad, but awesome. Skiff Beaman is a 12-year-old who has lost his mother to illness, and is slowly losing his father to drunkeness. But that doesn't stop Skiff from dreaming of a better life for himself. As a member of a family of fishermen, Skiff puts himself to work hauling lobster traps, all so he can rebuild his boat and make a better life for himself and his father. But when Tyler Croft, Skiff's worst nightmare, puts a kink in those plans, Skiff decides he needs to dream bigger. But will his quest for the ultimate fish prove too much to handle?

Kids who will like this book: Kids who like animal stories, adventure stories, and survival stories; kids who like a feisty narrator who won't give up

For Educators and Librarians:

Rodman Philbrick has crafted another story of a gritty underdog who is determined to better his life no matter what. Riffing on Hemingway, he tells the story of Skiff Beaman, a kid you can't help but root for. This book is great for kids who have been through hardships in life, or kids who like survival stories. It is a sad book, as the giant fish Skiff goes hunting becomes a character in its own right. But it will make kids think about the courage it takes to never give up.

Reading level: 5th grade and up
Appropriateness: Nothing to worry about
Who will like this book: kids who like realistic fiction, kids who like suspenseful adventure stories

With homage to Hemingway, Philbrick took classic literature and modified it to a young adult coming-of-age tale.

Instead of an older man who struggles to accomplish the dream of catching the biggest fish, Philbrick pits boy against nature as young Skiff Beaman is water and food deprived, alone in a tiny, fuel-less boat, surrounded by dark, deep sea and an aggressive, harpooned, behemouth 900 pound bluefin tuna.

Skiff's life is not easy. His mother recently died. His father transferred his love of Skiff's mother to the seduction of booze. While Skiff's family was always poor, it really didn't matter as long as his mother's love sustained him. Now, there is nothing but torment from the richer kids and the neglect of an alcoholic father.

Symbolically when his father's fishing boat The Mary Rose sinks while his father is drunk on the couch and will not assist, Skiff knows that alone he must raise up the ruin and sail on to a better life.

Packed with pearls of wisdom, this is a poignant tale written by a superb author.

Recommended! ( )

Skiff Beaman’s life sucks. His mom is dead and his dad hasn’t left the couch since. On the last day of school, his dad’s boat has finally sunk. His dad doesn’t even budge from the sofa. Rather than becoming a problem himself, young Skiff Beaman decides to take on the daunting task of raising the Mary Rose from the bottom of the sea and bringing her back to life. Not only does he manage to do this, he manages to bring his father back to life as well.

The title of this book pays homage to Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, and there are parallels, but to focus on them would diminish the impact of this book in its on right. The Young Man and the Sea is a fantastic adventure and deserves to stand on its own. With just the right amount of technical detail, I was able to understand the ins and outs of the boats without becoming bored or wanting to skip over it. This book is a fabulous find and something I will encourage my eleven year old nephew to read over the winter break.

That being said, my only complaint: All the talk about tuna, I am desperate for some sashimi! ( )