The Kraken [Paperback]

Don C. Reed (Author), Judith Hunt (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

The year is 1873, and Tom Piccot and his family struggle to survive the harsh world of the Newfoundland coast. The future looks uncertain--but one thing is for sure, when challenged, Tom Piccot refuses to back down. Based on historical fact and rich with the seafaring atmosphere of Newfoundland, The Kraken is a rousing tale of adventure and survival.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-8?Tom Piccot, 12, is a Newfoundland fisherman, like his father and his grandfather before him. They scrape out a living and take great pride in their work and heritage. Their struggle is made harder by the rich merchants, who treat them poorly and pay them a meager price for their fish. The year 1873 begins bleakly for Tom with the death of his grandfather; the blinding of his father in a hunting accident; and his personal defeat at the hands of Edmund Treadwell, the scornful merchant's son, in a fight. (The book focuses on men; the women are barely visible, unfortunately.) But Tom's hard work, courage, and spirit ultimately bring triumph, not just for himself and his family, but for his whole community. Brimming with details about the Newfoundland coast and local dialect, this is a challenging but exciting read, full of adventure and coming-of-age themes. Despite the cliches inherent in the plot, readers can't help cheering the hero on as he gains a faithful companion in his new dog, Murphy; hunts caribou and sees a wolverine in action; confronts the dreaded kraken, a giant squid; defeats Edmund at last; and wins the heart of Rosie, whom he has admired all along. A richly rewarding story that illuminates 19th-century life in a lesser-known region.?Cyrisse Jaffee, formerly at Newton Public Schools, MA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 6^-10. Reed has included elements that make a good story--a boy and his loyal dog, family adversity, a giant sea monster, and even a touch of romance. Set on the coast of Newfoundland in the late 1800s, The Kraken introduces readers to a relatively unknown culture yet manages to relate it to common themes that readers will identify with: the struggle to survive both against the rich who have no empathy with the less fortunate and against a harsh environment. When his father is blinded by a gun explosion, 12-year-old Tom Piccot must assume family responsibilities, a job made nearly impossible because of the debt imposed by a rich, unscrupulous local merchant and the disappearance of the cod that sustain the family and provide its income. Tom's determination through constant, seemingly overwhelming adversity makes this a fascinating tale that allows even subtle environmental lessons to be communicated. The dialect at first will be difficult, but the story is so all-consuming and well-written that readers soon will overcome that hurdle. Consider this for a middle-school read-aloud. Frances Bradburn --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 217 pages
• Publisher: Boyds Mills Press (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563976935
• ISBN-13: 978-1563976933
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,972 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Kraken Rears Its ugly Head, May 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Kraken (Paperback)

This is a story of little Tom Piccot and his epic battle with the famed mythical beast the Kraken. Tommy fights bravely against the Kraken which is known for its ferocity, menace and massive size.

It is rumored that the Kraken is controlled by a drunken Scotsman who lives on the edge of the small fishing village. This is an incredible story of a boy coming of age.