The Wanderer Review
A wild journey across the Atlantic on a 45-foot sailboat captures the reader from the first page. Sophie, a thirteen year old, is the only girl on the Wanderer. Surrounded by her two cousins Brian and Cody and three uncles Dock, Stew and Mo, she finds not only what her family set out to discover, but also finds out a lot about herself along the way.
As they set sail to Ireland, they make a few stops on the way. Uncle Dock, who says that he's just visiting some old fiends, seems to have another purpose in mind. What could he be up to? Along the way, Cody's "dog log" and Sophie's journal keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Friction and arguments between the characters begin to affect their relationships, even worse, put the family in danger.
The style of the book is what makes it so unique. It's easy to know and feel what the characters feel, even though the entries are very different. Cody's are more brief than Sophie's, but you still are able to see how he's trying to show the rest of the crew that he's a responsible sailor, and person. Sophie's writing is more detailed and explains what is going on with her, and the rest of the crew. I enjoyed the differences between the characters as well. Cody was always cracking jokes, Brian was trying to control the rest of the crew and the uncles were constantly arguing about their children. Sophie's dreams of the sea tell the reader how she feels about her life, which keeps the book suspenseful. I love sailing and the ocean, and so I like how the ocean also was a character in the book, and was described so that you felt as if you were on the boat yourself.
I would definitely recommend this book to not only young readers, but readers of all ages. You don't need to be interested in sailing to find something you love about this book.
Review by MacLean, age 10
The Wanderer Overview
The sea, the sea, the sea. It rolled and rolled and called to me. Come in, it said, come in.
Thirteen-year-old Sophie is the only girl amongst the surly crew of The Wanderer made up of her three uncles and two cousins. 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 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 knuckle headed 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.
Newbery Award winner Sharon Creech's newest novel is an adventure-filled story of a courageous girl's journey across the ocean and into the memories of her tragic past. Sophie's struggle to reclaim who she is inspires similar exploration from those around her -- as the crew discovers the joys and trials of belonging to a family.
Bulletin Blue Ribbon Best of 2000 Award, 2001 Children's Books of Distinction (Riverbank Review Finalist), Books for Youth Editor's Choice 2000 (Booklist), Best Books 2000(School Library Journal), Children's Books 2000-NY Public Lib., 2000 Christopher Award, 2001 Children's Books of Distinction (Riverbank Review Finalist), 2001 Newbery Honor Book Award, 01 Notable Children's Books (ALA), 01 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA),Books for the Teen Age 2001 (NYPL), and Bulletin Blue Ribbon 2000 (Bulletin of Center for Children's Books
The Wanderer Specifications
"I am not always such a dreamy girl, listening to the sea calling me. My father calls me Three-sided Sophie: one side is dreamy and romantic; one is logical and down-to-earth; and the third side is hardheaded and impulsive."
Thirteen-year-old Sophie, skipping between "dreamland or earthland or muleland," hears the sea calling her. Much to the concern of her adopted parents, she decides to join her uncles and male cousins on a sailing voyage from Connecticut across the Atlantic to England (and her grandfather Bompie) on a 45-foot sailboat. Not only does she want to make the trip, she feels she has to.
This perilous cross-Atlantic journey will make young readers feel the wind in their hair and the salt spray on their face. Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech (Walk Two Moons) describes the sailing experience with astonishing precision--from the smell of the sea to the intricate workings of The Wanderer itself.
Along the way, Sophie proves her bravery and competence to the rather grumpy all-male crew; intrigues and captivates her cousin Cody with her beautiful, odd stories of Bompie that always somehow end in underwater disaster and apple pie; and spills her heart into a daily journal. Readers get another angle on her, too, as Cody keeps a log that alternates with hers. He grows to know, and like, and wonder about, his new cousin Sophie along with the reader, and as her mysterious past reveals itself bit by bit, we are all right there on the edge of our seats, ready for the boom to crash over to the other side.
Sophie's adventures take her not only straight into perilous waves higher than buildings, but deep into her hidden past. This profound, suspenseful novel will pull you into its swift current and barely let you surface for breath. (Ages 9 to 13) --Karin Snelson
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Customer Reviews
A 4th Grade Student Review - Mollie E. Gabrielson - South Dakota
I gave this book four stars because it is such a good book and Sharon Creech is such a good author. There are a whole bunch of other books by her too. The Wanderer was such a heart warming book. There is this girl that tells stories about a boy named Bompie, her name is Sophie. She told a whole bunch of stories about him. When they got to Bompie's little cottage they walked up to the door and the nurse came to open the door and said "come in" so as soon as they got in and walked into Bompie's room and they asked Bompie if he knew who they were he kept on saying the incorret name he always got another chance with another person. Then they all said who the were. -Madisyn Sunnybrook
great story / great service - G. Fontana - Boston, MA
we had a problem with the copy we initially received - there were several chapters that were missing and others that were duplicated.
Amazon immediately sent a new copy - great service. The book is a favorite of my 10 year old daughter - she recommends it to all her friends.
Epic Sea Voyage - -
The Wanderer is an adventurous, epic sea voyage across the Atlantic Ocean toward England. Sophie, a thirteen year old girl travels with a small sailboat crew consisting of her three uncles, and their two sons to see her grandfather, Bompie. Sophie is a curious, brave person who always thinks positively about any situation on the boat. Sophie's cousins and uncles on the boat are very precise and organized and want to have everything on the boat in a manageable condition. The sea has a mesmerizing effect on Sophie and it sweeps her up, causing her to daydream. Yet when she experiences the hard labor on the boat--The Wanderer--all she can write in her journal and fantasize about is being safe and protected on land. As the journey sails toward England, Sophie's life twists and turns and unravels mysteries about her unknown past. She truly grows as a person becoming more independent and a reliable crew member. As she travels to England, she gains great confidence in herself which comforts her along the treacherous journey.
This enticing book's message written by Sharon Creech sailed right into my heart. The reader might even shed a tear due to the intense drama of this book. This marvelous novel is written in first person, so the characters are often shedding their feelings. At the end of every chapter, there is a thrilling cliffhanger, which makes the reader want to pursue their reading. Sharon Creech describes the scenes vividly and it was all quite realistic. The reader will become swept into this story and forced to battle the fierce Atlantic Ocean with this brave sailboat's crew. Will The Wanderer arrive at its destination?
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jul 03, 2010 04:15:06
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