The Wanderer Review
A wild journey across the Atlantic on a 45-foot sailboat captures the reader from the first page. Sophie, a thirteen year old, is the only girl on the Wanderer. Surrounded by her two cousins Brian and Cody and three uncles Dock, Stew and Mo, she finds not only what her family set out to discover, but also finds out a lot about herself along the way.
As they set sail to Ireland, they make a few stops on the way. Uncle Dock, who says that he's just visiting some old fiends, seems to have another purpose in mind. What could he be up to? Along the way, Cody's "dog log" and Sophie's journal keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Friction and arguments between the characters begin to affect their relationships, even worse, put the family in danger.
The style of the book is what makes it so unique. It's easy to know and feel what the characters feel, even though the entries are very different. Cody's are more brief than Sophie's, but you still are able to see how he's trying to show the rest of the crew that he's a responsible sailor, and person. Sophie's writing is more detailed and explains what is going on with her, and the rest of the crew. I enjoyed the differences between the characters as well. Cody was always cracking jokes, Brian was trying to control the rest of the crew and the uncles were constantly arguing about their children. Sophie's dreams of the sea tell the reader how she feels about her life, which keeps the book suspenseful. I love sailing and the ocean, and so I like how the ocean also was a character in the book, and was described so that you felt as if you were on the boat yourself.
I would definitely recommend this book to not only young readers, but readers of all ages. You don't need to be interested in sailing to find something you love about this book.
Review by MacLean, age 10
The Wanderer Overview
The ocean has always flowed through Sophie's life. It promises journeys of adventure and discovery and she is drawn to it. And when she gets the chance to cross the Atlantic on board her uncle's boat, The Wanderer, she can't wait to set sail. But troubled Sophie has a secret, and deep down she's terrified of where, The Wanderer will take her. For this storm-tossed voyage will also be a journey into the mysterious past of her forgotten childhood. And she, and the rest of the crew aboard, may not survive it.
The Wanderer Specifications
"I am not always such a dreamy girl, listening to the sea calling me. My father calls me Three-sided Sophie: one side is dreamy and romantic; one is logical and down-to-earth; and the third side is hardheaded and impulsive."
Thirteen-year-old Sophie, skipping between "dreamland or earthland or muleland," hears the sea calling her. Much to the concern of her adopted parents, she decides to join her uncles and male cousins on a sailing voyage from Connecticut across the Atlantic to England (and her grandfather Bompie) on a 45-foot sailboat. Not only does she want to make the trip, she feels she has to.
This perilous cross-Atlantic journey will make young readers feel the wind in their hair and the salt spray on their face. Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech (Walk Two Moons) describes the sailing experience with astonishing precision--from the smell of the sea to the intricate workings of The Wanderer itself.
Along the way, Sophie proves her bravery and competence to the rather grumpy all-male crew; intrigues and captivates her cousin Cody with her beautiful, odd stories of Bompie that always somehow end in underwater disaster and apple pie; and spills her heart into a daily journal. Readers get another angle on her, too, as Cody keeps a log that alternates with hers. He grows to know, and like, and wonder about, his new cousin Sophie along with the reader, and as her mysterious past reveals itself bit by bit, we are all right there on the edge of our seats, ready for the boom to crash over to the other side.
Sophie's adventures take her not only straight into perilous waves higher than buildings, but deep into her hidden past. This profound, suspenseful novel will pull you into its swift current and barely let you surface for breath. (Ages 9 to 13) --Karin Snelson
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Customer Reviews
Excellent Read - Regina McGlone -
I purchased this book for my 12 yr old daughter. She was given a list of summer reads, and we are so glad that she chose this one. My daughter loves to read, but she generally likes to pick her own books. She took this book everywhere with her. She was so excited to tell me about the characters. She is also recommending this book to her friends. Now I want to read it.
A 4th Grade Student Review - Mollie E. Gabrielson - South Dakota
I gave this book four stars because it is such a good book and Sharon Creech is such a good author. There are a whole bunch of other books by her too. The Wanderer was such a heart warming book. There is this girl that tells stories about a boy named Bompie, her name is Sophie. She told a whole bunch of stories about him. When they got to Bompie's little cottage they walked up to the door and the nurse came to open the door and said "come in" so as soon as they got in and walked into Bompie's room and they asked Bompie if he knew who they were he kept on saying the incorret name he always got another chance with another person. Then they all said who the were. -Madisyn Sunnybrook
great story / great service - G. Fontana - Boston, MA
we had a problem with the copy we initially received - there were several chapters that were missing and others that were duplicated.
Amazon immediately sent a new copy - great service. The book is a favorite of my 10 year old daughter - she recommends it to all her friends.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Aug 26, 2010 10:15:06
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