Customer Reviews

The Young Man And the Sea

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!)

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 (...)

Young Man and the Sea is a book about Samuel "Skiff" Beaman a boy who spends his whole summer trying saving his dad and his boat. Throughout the book Skiff keeps running into a problem, that problems name is Tyler Croft. Tyler makes it hard for Skiff to raise the money for the boat. Tyler makes it so hard for Skiff that he needs to go 30 miles of coast to catch a giant Bluefin Tuna.

Skiff catches Tyler cutting his lobster traps that gets skiff mad. Tyler gets skiff so mad that Skiff rams his boat. Ramming Tyler's boat with his just makes him more frustrated. When skiff gets back he tells Mr. Woodwell. Mr. Woodwell tells skiff to tell his dad. Skiff knows he wont get his dads attention because his dads to depressed about his moms death so it leads Skiff to go catch a giant Tuna.

Out of the books I've read this has been one of my favorites. Next time someone asks me what book they should read I would probably recommend this one. One reason I would recommend this book is because all the genres, like action, drama, and adventure. Another reason I recommend this book is because it helps you learn if you set your mind to something and never give up you can do anything. Overall I truly recommend the book the Young Man and the sea because in many ways it helped me.

In my mind, I've alway's thought that being a fisherman was easy: catching fish, riding in a boat, then come home and sleep the rest of the day. But after reading Rodman Philbrick's book,The Young Man And The Sea, I understood that even a 12-year-old wannabe fisherman has it hard.

Skiff Beaman's life is scarreed by the death of his mother. Everything is changed, and like any death that happens in a young or old persons life, they're never the same. The exact same thing happens to Skiff's dad, Big Skiff. He starts drinking, feeling bad for his wife's death, also feeling bad for himself.Even when his own son (Skiff) tells him that their beloved Mary Rose ship has sunk, he's still too lazy to get off the couch.

Soon skiff devises a plan. He figures out how to raise money for his ship, still knowing it was going to be diffucult. With the help of a friend, he's able to raise the ship. But one problem: The Mary Rose is brutally broken and is leaking. Skiff thinks of trapping lobsters' for money, but the neighborhood bully, Tyler Croft, makes sure his plan will fail. After Skiff's lobster idea is ruined, he thinks of another plan, a bigger one. It'll raise money for the Mary Rose, and maybe even some money left over for his house. This idea is so big, but it will change Skiff's life as he knows it. It might even end his life.

Skiff Beaman always remembers his mom's 3 rules: think smart, speak true, and never give up. And as Skiff goes out to chase his money winning idea, he never forgets his mom, or her rules. To figure out what happens to Skiff, and if he can change both his and his Dad's lives, you've got to read this book.It show's that no matter how big your dreams may be, hold onto them, and they may just come true. -Destinee

A wonderful all around kids story -- with adventure and drama that
will keep kids "hooked". I hope it wins the Newbery Medal because it deserves it!

Skiff Beaman is in a boatload of problems. First, his mom dies, His dad is as lazy as a sack of potatoes, and to top it all of his boat sinks, so little Skiff goes on a mission to turn his whole life around.
All is well, until he runs into a problem with money. The Young Man and the Sea is by Rodman Philbrick. Never did he give away the amazing ending.
Little Skiff has to find a way to get the money he needs for the engine of his boat. One day while Skiff is at the dock, he finds a man that just caught a giant tuna for millions of dollars. All he has to do is catch a giant tuna, bring back to town, and sell it. The only thing stopping him is Tyler Croft.
The next night, Skiff sets out in his 10-foot boat to catch the biggest fish in the world. While On his way he runs into many problems, in fact he comes close to death. All Skiff is doing, is praying he doesn't become the fish food.
Will Skiff be the richest kid in town? Will he even make it back home with a giant tuna at 30 miles out to sea with a bucket of bait, a harpoon, and three PB&J sandwiches?
This book is mostly for boys, and tells you; never let anyone put you down. It is a very adventures book, and I highly recommend it to readers everywhere.

Rodman Philbrick has done it again with his stories of finding strength and character in a young boys life. Skiff Beaman refuses to be bullied or live a miserable life which seems like what his father has done since the death of his wife. He sets a goal for himself and rises to the challenge in a wonderfully told story. I loved Freak the Mighty and loved this book. I would highly recommend this "feel good" book.

I read this book to my students at school during free reading time. There were many days that we read over our time lot because the kids would not let me put the book down. The story is very good for kids because it gets points accross to them about how this boy deals with several issues that life has heaped on him. It also shows how much a retired person is able to help children as they struggle through issues. I ordered the book myself to have at home because the story was so good! Jean Schweer

Do you like books with adventure and fishing? If you do, The Young Man and The Sea is perfect for you. The Young Man and The Sea is a great book that is filled with adventures of a young man who has to raise money to fix the family's ship. I liked this book, because of the determination of a 12 year old and the setting.
12-year-old Samuel "Skiff" Beaman has a never ending determination. The determination was fueled by the hatred for his father, who is an alcoholic who used to be a famed fisherman. The family ship, The Mary Rose sunk, and Samuel has to work to fix it up. He wants to make sure it can sail again and his father would quit drinking to start f ishing again. He decides to use lobster traps to catch lobsters and sell them for money. His enemy, Tyler Croft, cuts his traps, and Sam has to find another way to earn money.
Another thing I liked about The Young Man and The Sea is that the setting was unique. It was in a small cove where almost everyone who lived there were fishermen. Sam and his father lived in a small shack that was run down and so old that there was an outhouse still standing. The body of water was filled with expensive and cheap fishing boats. All the residents knew each other, respected each other, and helped each other out.
The Young Man and The Sea is a creative book that contains a kid's determination and a unique setting. I liked this book and I am sure you will too!