The Young Man And The Sea [Hardcover]

Rodman Philbrick (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Award winner Rodman Philbrick's powerful middle-grade novel is a story of determination and survival--of a boy's exhilirating encounter with a fish that first nearly kills him but then saves his life.

This starkly dramatic yet poignant novel takes readers on an exciting journey with 12-year-old Skiff Beaman, a determined boy from a small Maine town. Skiff's mom died recently, and his fisherman dad won't get off the TV couch to do anything but get another beer, so these days Skiff has to take care of everything himself. When their boat sinks, Skiff discovers it will cost thousands to buy her a new engine. Skiff's lobster traps won't earn him enough, but there are bigger fish in the sea--bluefin tuna. If he can catch one, he just might save the boat--and get his family back on its feet again.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8--A 12-year-old protagonist replaces Ernest Hemingway's elderly Santiago in this takeoff on the classic novelette, set this time in coastal Maine. Skiff has lost his mother and, since her death, his father, once a hardworking fisherman locally known for his skills with a harpoon, has sunken into such deep, beer-soaked despair that his son can't seem to rouse him off the couch. As Skiff tries to single-handedly stem the rising tide of slovenly decay threatening to swamp what's left of his family, he also must contend with Tyler Croft, a bullying rich kid who sabotages his efforts to get ahead. Things seem entirely hopeless until the day he sees a giant tuna hauled in from offshore and sold for a large sum as a source for premium sushi. The fish literally and symbolically embodies all of Skiff's ambitions for a better life, and he decides to try to catch one using just a 10-foot plywood boat and a harpoon created by his father. As in The Old Man and the Sea, the ensuing adventure is told through an inner dialogue, one in which Skiff sometimes imagines he is speaking to his mother. This excellent maritime bildungsroman has all of the makings of a juvenile classic: wide-open adventure, heart-pounding suspense, and just the right amount of tear-jerking pathos, all neatly wrapped up in an ending that--unlike its namesake's--is purely triumphant. A great read-aloud, a natural for classroom use, and a must-have for all collections.--Jeffrey Hastings, Highlander Way Middle School, Howell, MI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-6. Philbrick, author of Freak the Mighty (1993), channels Hemingway but adds a more conventional happy ending in this mesmerizing boy-meets-big-fish tale. Of his recently dead mother's three rules--think smart, speak true, and never give up--Skiff Beaman has taken only the last two to heart. With his dad reduced to a grieving drunk and their fishing boat needing thousands of dollars in repairs, Skiff goes for death in the afternoon, chugging out into the Maine fog in a 10-foot skiff on a quixotic quest to harpoon a valuable bluefin. Thirty miles out to sea, he meets his monster tuna. In the best survival-story tradition, Skiff's account will leave readers as exhausted as he becomes; battling his quarry and then bringing it in takes every ounce of courage and endurance that he can muster. For seasoning, Philbrick adds a supportive cast of older neighbors and a bully, then demonstrates that the sun also rises by finishing Skiff's ordeal with the boy wrapped in his reformed father's arms. A moveable feast for fans of Gary Paulsen, or nautical adventures in general. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Blue Sky Press (February 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439368294
• ISBN-13: 978-0439368292
• Product Dimensions: 0.5 x 5.8 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,089,283 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rodman Philbrick grew up on the New England coast, where he worked as a longshoreman and boat builder. For many years he wrote mysteries and detective novels for adults. Inspired by the life of a boy who lived a few blocks away, he wrote 'Freak The Mighty', the award-winning young-adult novel, which has been translated into numerous languages and is now read in schools throughout the world. The book was adapted to the screen as 'The Mighty', starring Sharon Stone, Gillian Anderson, James Gandolfini, Kieran Culkin, and Elden Henson, with original music provided by Sting.

Rodman Philbrick's novels for young readers include 'The Fire Pony', 'Max the Mighty', 'REM World', 'The Last Book In The Universe', 'The Journal of Douglas Allen Deeds', 'The Young Man And The Sea', and 'The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg', a 2010 Newbery Honor book.

The Private Eye Writers of America nominated two of his T.D.Stash series as best detective novel, and then selected Philbrick's 'Brothers & Sinners' as Best Novel in 1993. A gothic tale of slavery and sea captains, 'Coffins' was published in 2002. Writing under the pen name 'William R. Dantz' he has explored the near-future worlds of genetic engineering and hi-tech brain control in books like 'Hunger', 'Pulse', 'The Seventh Sleeper', and 'Nine Levels Down'. He has published three thrillers under the pen name Chris Jordan - 'Taken', Trapped', and 'Torn' - featuring Randall Shane, a former FBI Special Agent who specializes in recovering lost children. He's just now undertaken a new Chris Jordan series about the very private investigator Naomi Nash, set in Boston. The first volume, 'Measure of Darkness', will be published in December 2011 by Mira Books.

Rod and his wife Lynn Harnett, who have collaborated on a number of series for young readers, including 'The House on Cherry Street' and 'The Werewolf Chronicles', divide their time between Maine and the Florida Keys.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Young Man and the Sea, June 14, 2006

By 

Drama/English teacher "RD" (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Young Man And The Sea (Paperback)

After reading this book almost a year ago (and rating it a 4 star book), then discussing it in my classes and letting it ferment a while in my noggin, I am moving my rating to 5 stars. This book resonates.

This may, in fact, be a good introduction to young adult novel for boys (especially those who do not like to read). The characters are relatively familiar, but still new. The writing style is superb throughout.

If I were one of those Hollywood producers for, let's say Nickelodeon Films, I would acquire the rights to this one immediately. It deserves to be made into one of those low budget, character-driven pieces than tell a personal story of a boy having to accomplish something personally significant to himself.

I heartily recommend this book.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Young Man and the Sea, September 1, 2004

By 

English teacher (Rhode Island) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Young Man And The Sea (Hardcover)

As an English teacher of 12 years, I have read countless books and I can truly say that this is an excellent, well written novel! My young son, who loves fishing and the ocean, loved this book. I was impressed with the quality of writing. The very first sentence of the book hooks you in. This is the ONLY book my son actually read w/o me having to tell him it was time for reading practice. (My son is in 3rd grade and the book was fine. It would also be good for anyone; I enjoyed it!)

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You must read THE YOUNG MAN AND THE SEA., June 17, 2004

By 

A Customer (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Young Man And The Sea (Hardcover)

I've never lived by the sea or been a fisherman, but Rodman Philbrick makes me feel the ocean spray in my face with his vivid descriptions of Skiff Beaman's adventures in Spinney Cove. The story of Skiff's memorable summer is told in the straightforward, humorous voice of Skiff himself.

Skiff Beaman is angry at the world, and he has good reason. After his mother dies, his father won't get off the couch or stop feeling sorry for himself. Skiff thinks that his dad will come to life when he tells him that their fishing boat, the Mary Rose, sank. But nothing short of a miracle will get his dad off the couch and out of the house.

With the help of the local fishermen, including old Mr. Woodwell, Skiff learns how he can raise the Mary Rose all by himself. The boat is badly damaged and repairs will be quite expensive. Skiff comes up with a plan to make money, but obstacles soon get in his way, his biggest one being Tyler Croft, the town bully. Tyler has it out for Skiff just because he's a swamper and therefore sabotages Skiff's moneymaking plans. But then Skiff gets a really "big" idea. If he isn't careful, though, this idea could cost him his life.

Skiff's determination is contagious, and I found myself rooting for him all the way, right up until the end of the story. If you want to find out if he can beat the odds and keep a promise he made to his mother, then you must read THE YOUNG MAN AND THE SEA.

--- Reviewed by Renee Kirchner (...)