Bodeen, S. A. 2012. THE RAFT. New York:
Macmillan. ISBN 9780312650100
[Suggested Grade Level 8 – 12]
REVIEW
When a
“big island” visit with her aunt is cut short, Robbie makes a hasty and poorly
communicated decision to hop on a cargo plane for home. Robbie lives with her
marine biologist parents on Midway Atoll, an island in the Pacific Ocean “midway”
between North America and Asia. The routine trip takes a tragic and fatal turn
when a series of natural and mechanical disasters befall the small plane and
its crew.
While
the majority of the novel takes place floating in the vast Pacific, the story
of Robbie and THE RAFT’s other passenger, never drags. Quickly paced and action
packed, Robbie’s story of survival has broad appeal and will leave readers anxiously
sitting on the edge of their seats.
CONNECTIONS
Compare
and contrast THE RAFT with other stories of survival, such as Robinson Crusoe
and Swiss Family Robinson. How do modern conveniences such as cell phones, the
Internet and increased independence of young adults play into the development
of Robbie’s situation.
RELATED BOOKS
Other titles by S. A. Bodeen featuring
edgy topics and heroic teens:
THE COMPOUND. ISBN 9780312370152
THE GARDENER. ISBN 9780312370169
Classic tales of survival:
Wyss, Johann David. SWISS FAMILY
ROBINSON. ISBN 9781841358390
Defoe, Daniel. Robinson Crusoe. ISBN
9781402784064
By
Marianne Crandall Follis
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