Stormstruck!

Starred review from July 15, 2015
Determined to save Pogo, his elderly Labrador retriever, from being put down, 12-year-old Sam sets sail on his catboat for an island just off the coast of Maine. A violent storm chases them across the water, landing them on an unfamiliar beach. There, the two take shelter in a shed where they meet Magnus, a retired ornithologist, and his arctic tern, Fuego. Over supper, Magnus shares his wisdom about life and death, and Sam realizes his selfishness and decides to return home. But the sea has other plans. Blinded by impenetrable fog, driven by unpredictable tides, and hunted by a terrifying shark, Sam and Pogo are quickly lost. They finally make their way to a wrecked ship, where they survive on rainwater and the charity of a one-eyed cormorant. There, Sam confronts not only Pogo's fate, but his brother's death in Afghanistan. Short chapters filled with nonstop action will keep the pages turning. While deep questions about love, sacrifice, and death offer no easy answers, Sam's struggle is both authentic and heart-wrenching. Macfarlane's sure hand creates accurate nautical details, a cast of fascinating human and animal characters, and the timeless struggle between man and nature, all attuned to middle-grade sensibilities with no hint of patronization.An exciting adventure with true depth. (Fiction. 8-12)

COPYRIGHT(2015) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1, 2015

Gr 3-5-One night, 12-year-old Sam overhears his parents discussing putting down Pogo, his elderly Labrador retriever. Determined to save the life of his oldest friend, Sam leads Pogo on a sailing adventure, during which they encounter a wise ornithologist, blinding fog, a stalking shark, an old shipwreck, and a one-eyed cormorant. Coming to terms with death is a theme present throughout the novel. Sam not only battles with the approaching death of his dog but also comes to term with the passing of his brother, Steve, who died in Afghanistan. This novel would be an excellent source in the classroom for the exploration of context clues and how to make inferences and would be an introduction to nautical terminology. VERDICT A gripping adventure with weighty themes that will enthrall middle grade readers.-Tiffany Davis, Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.