The Great Wide Sea by M. H. Herlong

I've had great luck with books this summer---The Great Wide Sea is an A+ in my estimation.  The author sets the story primarily on an uninhabited island near the Bahamas, where three young boys find themselves stranded after their boat crashes during a storm in which their father has gone missing during his night watch.  The main character, Ben, who is in his mid-teens, has to take care of his younger brothers, Dylan, about 11, and Gerry, 5.  Their dad had changed dramatically since the death of his wife, the boys' mother.  The author does a great job dealing with some heavy emotional baggage resulting from death, loss, and bereavement; she writes with insight, sensitivity, compassion, and conviction.  I could hardly put the book down. 

Highly recommended for all readers ages 11 and up.  

Great website about the author: http://www.thegreatwidesea.com/The%20Author.htm


Interesting news item about a young girl from Holland who has set out on a solo around the world sailing trip with the goal of becoming the youngest person to achieve this goal: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11048130

If you like this book, you might also enjoy: Peak by Roland Smith; Hatchet by Gary Paulsen; Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen; The Other Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George.  

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Ms. Guiney's Review: The Great Wide Sea
Title: The Great Wide Sea
Author: M.H. Herlong
Grade: A
Ideal Readers: Boys and girls age 11 and up

Summary: The story of three brothers who suffer the sudden death of their mother and an emotional freeze out from their father. Almost immediately after their mother's death, the father has sold their house, packed up three duffle bags of their belongings, and has them all headed to Miami where they will board the boat that will be their home for the next year. The boys have to deal with their grief, a father who deserts them in more ways than one, and a fatal storm that changes everything. This is a must read for the whole family. I highly recommend this novel!

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