Customer Reviews

Overboard

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My daughter and I each read this book in one sitting. It is simply too good to put down. The plot, the imagery and the character development are extraordinary. What's more, this novel transmits wonderful values of tolerance and true heroics. When's the last time you read a book about a teenage girl that was at once realistic (her moodiness, dissatisfaction with life) and idealistic? I love that my daughter might easily identify with such a character and perceive altruism as a fact of life. Also, in this time of anti-immigrant sentiment, this book lovingly reminds us of the value of people quite different from ourselves. You'd never know right off that the book has these effects because it disguises all of this in ONE GREAT READ! It will be the birthday gift for all our friends this year!

OVERBOARD is the kind of book that is relatively short, but goes on a little too long. It relates the story of a teenage girl who must figure out how to survive after an Indonesian ferry she's been traveling capsizes.

The plotting in the first half is terrific -- with excellent middle school vocabulary; accurate characterization of the protagonist, and well-timed pacing of story. The second half seems to go on and on though with this girl swimming and swimming and swimming (more than she would if she were in an Ironman competition). The rising action and ensuing complications towards her finding safety eventually seem over-plotted and highly coincidental. In trying to write a nail-biter, I'm afraid the author took us too far; the mounting tension slowly becomes increasing frustration.

The exposition at the top of the novel works, but by the end I believe the reader would have been hoping for more character development for Emily (the protagonist).

On the positive side, Ms. Fama writes very well; her turn-of-phrase allows the reader the develop some real momentum. I enjoyed the book, however, I don't believe I'll come back for a second read.

I do recommend this book with no reservations.

Review On Over Board

"It won't open. This is what it's like to die, but don't worry it will be quick." That's the voice of Emily's (the main character) mind as she is trapped in a locker of a sinking boat. This book is called Over Board By Elizabeth Frame. This book is about Emily and a young boy she finds floating in the ocean. They go through so much like being attacked by sharks to escaping a whirlpool!
"You may not have the strength to keep going but, a little voice inside you says to keep going even if you die trying." That's not from the book, but it's my opinion that goes through my head as I read what Emily and Isman have to do to stay alive. So I think the theme is strength because they need the strength to keep on going. It may be hard, but just think of the ones who care.
There are two main characters. Emily and Isman. Emily is eleven and she was crossing to Indonesian Sea to see family when the boat over flows with people and sinks. Isman is a six year old who Emily finds in the sea. His parents and sibling died. There are also Richard and Catherin who cared and watched over Emily when they were fighting for their live's. Then later in the book Emily finds Isman and they drift away from Richard and Catherin. They later find someone dies. I'm no going to tell you who dies because I want you to find out and read Over Board.
There is not a place; the whole book is mainly in the Indonesian sea. Where Isman and Emily fight for their life.
Finally, if you like sad, scary, adventure books this is for you.

This book is worth anyone's time. You learn about culture and religon (*grin*). The main character sounds like a lot of teenagers today (I know because I am one). They often feel sorry for themselves and are selfish. The main character is like this but under all of that she's strong. Through this expierence she becomes mature.
Very good book. I read it a long time ago but it is still fresh in my memory.

Overboard is an excellent book. It is filled with suspense, it makes you want to never stop reading, and more! It is about a girl, Emily, who moves to Indonisia because her parents are doctors and came to help people in need. So Emily, one day gets a phone call from her Uncle, and after she hung up, she fell asleep, and in the morning couldn't find it because it was somewhere lost in her sleepng bag. So by the time her parents needed to answer an emergency call to save someones life, they couldn't fund it, so someone died because they didn't get the phone call on time. Then Emily's parents got mad at her, so she ran away and got on a fairy, because she was going to her uncles, which she was going to go in a few days anyway. On the fairy ride, Emily meets a newlywed couple, Catherine and Michael, who watch over her so she wont get lost, and to comfort her. Emily also meets a little indonision boy, Isman. Then, all of a sudden, the boat starts to tip, then sinks, and goes overboard, and everyone gets dumped in the water, and some die. Emily goes in the water, and has a hard time surviving, and goes through many obstacles. But you will have to read this book to find out what happens to her!

It's easy to understand why Emily is angry at her parents and depressed, so her running away doesn't come as a big shock to the reader. What happens after she gets on the boat that's supposed to take her to meet her uncle is where things get tense. What this novel does is it shows the triumph of the human spirit while it puts into perspective just what the important things in life are.

Emily lives in Sumatra with her do-gooder physician parents. She hates where she lives because she feels isolated and unwanted. After a tift with her parents she "runs away" to a nearby island to visit her uncle, but the boat she is on sinks.

Emily is stuck in the warm water, fighting for her life. She comes across Ishman, a young Muslim boy who leaves his fate in the hands of Allah. Emily fights to save both of them, fighting against fatigue, exhaustion, dehydration, and starvation.

This book is about hope and the fight to stay alive. It is a reminder why we should never give up...even when the cards are stacked against us.

Overboard is a great book for young children and adults because it teaches all families a lesson about faith.

In this story 14 year old Emily lives with her mom (Olivia) and her father (James) in Indonesia.
The conflict is Emily almost drowns trying to swim back to land.

The events are:Emily tries to teach a lady who is suffering how to swim,The lady drowns herself,Emily busts out of the locker.

This story is a great book for children around 4 or 5 years old.

It teaches children about faith.
In this story 14 year old Emily lives with her mom(Olivia) and her father(James) in Indonesia.
The problem is she gets locked in a locker on a ferry.
She teaches a lady how to swim,the lady drowns, Emily gets out of the locker.

This story is a great book for children around 4 or 5 years old.

It teaches children about faith.
In this story 14 year old Emily lives with her mom(Olivia) and her father(James) in Indonesia.
The problem is she gets locked in a locker on a ferry.
She teaches a lady how to swim,the lady drowns, Emily gets out of the locker.