The Boy, the Boat, and the Beast

Gr 4–7—Stranded on a menacing tropical island with no memories, a boy must confront the manifestations of his fears in order to find his past. When the unnamed boy awakens on a deserted beach, he has no idea who he is or how he got there. As he sets off to follow a light shining in the distance, a brutal internal voice nags at him, constantly berating and bullying him. Weighty themes like courage, love, will, and care for the defenseless haunt this archetypal journey. The path is also filled with rich symbols, such as a blanket and the titular beast and boat. With a sharp focus on the isolated protagonist and his internal struggle, it is character development that shines most clearly, though the external environmental dangers and the mystery keep the suspense taut. The portrayal of verbal abuse is not sugar-coated and lends itself to a discussion in the classroom or in a one-on-one conversation with young readers. The boy's father's remorse and repentance at the end comes across as idealistic and naïve despite the satisfying conclusion.