Status
Check shelf
Call number
Collection
Publication
GREAT SOURCE (2009), Edition: 1, 208 pages
Description
After his mother's death, twelve-year-old Skiff Beaman decides that it is up to him to earn money to take care of himself and his father, so he undertakes a dangerous trip alone out on the ocean off the coast of Maine to try to catch a huge bluefin tuna.
Local notes
2103-092
User reviews
LibraryThing member Whisper1
With homage to Hemingway, Philbrick took classic literature and modified it to a young adult coming-of-age tale.
Instead of an older man who struggles to accomplish the dream of catching the biggest fish, Philbrick pits boy against nature as young Skiff Beaman is water and food deprived, alone in a
Skiff's life is not easy. His mother recently died. His father transferred his love of Skiff's mother to the seduction of booze. While Skiff's family was always poor, it really didn't matter as long as his mother's love sustained him. Now, there is nothing but torment from the richer kids and the neglect of an alcoholic father.
Symbolically when his father's fishing boat The Mary Rose sinks while his father is drunk on the couch and will not assist, Skiff knows that alone he must raise up the ruin and sail on to a better life.
Packed with pearls of wisdom, this is a poignant tale written by a superb author.
Recommended!
Instead of an older man who struggles to accomplish the dream of catching the biggest fish, Philbrick pits boy against nature as young Skiff Beaman is water and food deprived, alone in a
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tiny, fuel-less boat, surrounded by dark, deep sea and an aggressive, harpooned, behemouth 900 pound bluefin tuna.Skiff's life is not easy. His mother recently died. His father transferred his love of Skiff's mother to the seduction of booze. While Skiff's family was always poor, it really didn't matter as long as his mother's love sustained him. Now, there is nothing but torment from the richer kids and the neglect of an alcoholic father.
Symbolically when his father's fishing boat The Mary Rose sinks while his father is drunk on the couch and will not assist, Skiff knows that alone he must raise up the ruin and sail on to a better life.
Packed with pearls of wisdom, this is a poignant tale written by a superb author.
Recommended!
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LibraryThing member SamuelW
Lobster Boy is the touching and heart-warming underdog story of a boy who has the world against him, but refuses to give up. Although somewhat unrealistic in places, this book has a moral that is important and well conveyed, if a little over-used these days.
I’m not sure if other people share this
The style of writing in this book is also very commendable; Philbrick has written the entire book from the perspective of Skiff, and “he ain’t bothered about his grammar, ‘cause grammar don’t matter in a small fishing town.” The entire book is written with this improper use of English, and it adds an extra degree of realism and enjoyment to the novel.
On the subject of realism, however, this book could do better in relation to its central plot. Skiff has a problem, he devises a quick-fix solution with a million reasons not to succeed that an adult could point out in minutes, and it works. Problem solved, end of story. Lobster Boy could be called the story of the greatest fluke in history, and to some readers, this will be a little disappointing.
Lobster Boy is focussed very much on its moral, so much so that it can seem to be a story written not to tell a story, but to convey a message. Set in a town by the sea, it is laden with ‘big fish, little fish’ analogies that contribute to the theme and feel of the book. Recommended for those who like to see the underdog win, but not for those who try to find plot-holes in everything they read.
I’m not sure if other people share this
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opinion, but, personally, I really get a kick out of books with characters you ‘love to hate’ in them, and in this way, the character of Tyler Croft was one of the best things about this book for me. I’m the sort of person who would read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix over and over again just for that moment of euphoric satisfaction when Professor Umbridge finally gets what she deserves, so Philbrick’s use of characters in Lobster Boy was very effective in making the book more enjoyable.The style of writing in this book is also very commendable; Philbrick has written the entire book from the perspective of Skiff, and “he ain’t bothered about his grammar, ‘cause grammar don’t matter in a small fishing town.” The entire book is written with this improper use of English, and it adds an extra degree of realism and enjoyment to the novel.
On the subject of realism, however, this book could do better in relation to its central plot. Skiff has a problem, he devises a quick-fix solution with a million reasons not to succeed that an adult could point out in minutes, and it works. Problem solved, end of story. Lobster Boy could be called the story of the greatest fluke in history, and to some readers, this will be a little disappointing.
Lobster Boy is focussed very much on its moral, so much so that it can seem to be a story written not to tell a story, but to convey a message. Set in a town by the sea, it is laden with ‘big fish, little fish’ analogies that contribute to the theme and feel of the book. Recommended for those who like to see the underdog win, but not for those who try to find plot-holes in everything they read.
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LibraryThing member Traeh7
this book is about this boys mother death affecting his fauther.He has to do everthing by himself.
LibraryThing member ragingaddgirl
Skiff Beaman’s life sucks. His mom is dead and his dad hasn’t left the couch since. On the last day of school, his dad’s boat has finally sunk. His dad doesn’t even budge from the sofa. Rather than becoming a problem himself, young Skiff Beaman decides to take on the daunting task of
The title of this book pays homage to Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, and there are parallels, but to focus on them would diminish the impact of this book in its on right. The Young Man and the Sea is a fantastic adventure and deserves to stand on its own. With just the right amount of technical detail, I was able to understand the ins and outs of the boats without becoming bored or wanting to skip over it. This book is a fabulous find and something I will encourage my eleven year old nephew to read over the winter break.
That being said, my only complaint: All the talk about tuna, I am desperate for some sashimi!
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raising the Mary Rose from the bottom of the sea and bringing her back to life. Not only does he manage to do this, he manages to bring his father back to life as well.The title of this book pays homage to Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, and there are parallels, but to focus on them would diminish the impact of this book in its on right. The Young Man and the Sea is a fantastic adventure and deserves to stand on its own. With just the right amount of technical detail, I was able to understand the ins and outs of the boats without becoming bored or wanting to skip over it. This book is a fabulous find and something I will encourage my eleven year old nephew to read over the winter break.
That being said, my only complaint: All the talk about tuna, I am desperate for some sashimi!
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LibraryThing member ALelliott
For readers:
This book is sad, but awesome. Skiff Beaman is a 12-year-old who has lost his mother to illness, and is slowly losing his father to drunkeness. But that doesn't stop Skiff from dreaming of a better life for himself. As a member of a family of fishermen, Skiff puts himself to work
Kids who will like this book: Kids who like animal stories, adventure stories, and survival stories; kids who like a feisty narrator who won't give up
For Educators and Librarians:
Rodman Philbrick has crafted another story of a gritty underdog who is determined to better his life no matter what. Riffing on Hemingway, he tells the story of Skiff Beaman, a kid you can't help but root for. This book is great for kids who have been through hardships in life, or kids who like survival stories. It is a sad book, as the giant fish Skiff goes hunting becomes a character in its own right. But it will make kids think about the courage it takes to never give up.
Reading level: 5th grade and up
Appropriateness: Nothing to worry about
Who will like this book: kids who like realistic fiction, kids who like suspenseful adventure stories
This book is sad, but awesome. Skiff Beaman is a 12-year-old who has lost his mother to illness, and is slowly losing his father to drunkeness. But that doesn't stop Skiff from dreaming of a better life for himself. As a member of a family of fishermen, Skiff puts himself to work
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hauling lobster traps, all so he can rebuild his boat and make a better life for himself and his father. But when Tyler Croft, Skiff's worst nightmare, puts a kink in those plans, Skiff decides he needs to dream bigger. But will his quest for the ultimate fish prove too much to handle?Kids who will like this book: Kids who like animal stories, adventure stories, and survival stories; kids who like a feisty narrator who won't give up
For Educators and Librarians:
Rodman Philbrick has crafted another story of a gritty underdog who is determined to better his life no matter what. Riffing on Hemingway, he tells the story of Skiff Beaman, a kid you can't help but root for. This book is great for kids who have been through hardships in life, or kids who like survival stories. It is a sad book, as the giant fish Skiff goes hunting becomes a character in its own right. But it will make kids think about the courage it takes to never give up.
Reading level: 5th grade and up
Appropriateness: Nothing to worry about
Who will like this book: kids who like realistic fiction, kids who like suspenseful adventure stories
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LibraryThing member sdpugh
An excellent story of a twelve-year-old boy, Skiff, whose mom recently died. His dad has lost all interest in life. It tells of his struggles with bullying, fishing, earning money to survive. and dealing with a depressed dad. A good book to teach building suspense in a story.
LibraryThing member Cheryl_in_CC_NV
Moving, and exciting, and humorous, and enriching. Very good book. However, in all honesty, to me, it managed to be both facile and awkward.
I mean, Everything Just Fit - of course there's a bully, of course there's a mentor, of course the father isn't in the way of the adventures, of course the
Enjoyable, worth recommending, but I don't see it as something that will stick in kids' hearts. Much of Philbrick's work is better than this, imo.
And now, since it's been, erm, probably three decades since I read the Hemingway story, I'd better go do that.
I mean, Everything Just Fit - of course there's a bully, of course there's a mentor, of course the father isn't in the way of the adventures, of course the
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child is both impulsive but also wise enough to be patient with his father and to hang on to his mother's advice and to remember to use it when convenient. And Yet - several 'lessons' were presented several times, but also, even though the boy wonders about them, we never learn the motivations of the bully. Enjoyable, worth recommending, but I don't see it as something that will stick in kids' hearts. Much of Philbrick's work is better than this, imo.
And now, since it's been, erm, probably three decades since I read the Hemingway story, I'd better go do that.
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Awards
Nebraska Golden Sower Award (Nominee — 2007)
Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee — Middle Grade — 2007)
Massachusetts Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2007)
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award (Nominee — 2006)
Great Stone Face Book Award (Nominee — 2005)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2006)
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2007)
Vermont Golden Dome Book Award (Nominee)
Mark Twain Readers Award (Nominee)
Sunshine State Young Reader's Award (Nominee — 2006)
Nēnē Award (Nominee — 2008)
Mitten Award (Honor — 2004)
Virginia Readers' Choice (Nominee — Middle School — 2006)
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Nominee — Grades 6-9 — 2006)
South Carolina Book Awards (Nominee — Children's Book Award — 2007)
CCBC Choices (2005)
Read Aloud Indiana Book Award (Middle School — 2004)
Texas Lone Star Reading List (2006)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2004
Physical description
7.63 inches
ISBN
0439368308 / 9780439368308