The Boy, the Boat, and the Beast

I read a lot and many middle-grade stories are predictable. While there's comfort in that, I also like stories that make me think and lead me unexpected places like this book did. A boy wakes up on a beach, seemingly from some kind of shipwreck but he can't even remember his name. We follow him as he tried to make sense of it all.Every so often, there's a brief chapter from another viewpoint. This character (who is watching the boy!) provides information that's sparse and cryptic, yet lyrical and insightful.This is a book I highly recommend to readers who like books that aren't cut-and-dried. It's a story where I questioned what was going on, paging back sometimes to check something. It's a story I would read again now that I know the ending because I want to appreciate the craft that went into this mysterious tale. Overall, it's beautifully written.The cover art by Justin Hernandez is gorgeous in jewel tones and compliments the story in how it also reveals yet conceals. Each chapter header has an illustration of branches across the top. Be sure to pay attention to the subtle differences.

** spoiler alert ** My God, this book, y’all. It wrecked me in the very best way. I can’t tell you exactly what it’s about without spoiling all the best parts (and trust me, there are many), but I can say this: I wish I had this book when I was a kid dealing with trouble understanding my father’s anger. I heartily recommend this book for any kid (and any boy specifically) who is having a hard time dealing with a pushy or angry father figure in his life.The “bully” of this story—an internal, accusatory voice that keeps the main character from succeeding where he needs to—is one of the most amazing concepts I’ve seen in kids’ literature. It’s beautiful, haunting, and terrifying in its own right, and is an amazing way for kids to grow to understand their own internal struggles with fear.Also—and this is not something I’d often say—I HIGHLY recommend this book for any adult men who have been challenged with or suspect they might be overly angry or pushy on their kids. There are far too many men in this world who don’t understand how their temper affects their children. Please, men, learn how you impact your kids’ development. Love them. Empower them. This book is for you, too.NOTE: I read an advance copy from the publisher, and then bought a copy for myself to read again.

Book appears to have been cut with box cutter. Disappointed it is damaged but daughter doesn’t have time to wait for return/ replacement.

I don’t always reach for fantasy books, but when I do, they better be as captivating as Samantha M. Clark’s The Boy, the Boat, and the Beast. I was engrossed in the boy’s story as his surroundings and unusual encounters were so vividly described and continued to bring upon an air of mystery after each page turn. This daring boy challenged his inner voice and bravely chose to fight for a way off of the beach, willing his way to remember his life before his strange arrival on the island. His adventures were not only peculiar and exciting, but thought-provoking as you tried to unveil the secrets and make sense of his limited memory right along side him. The novel so brilliantly evolves into deep issues of family and acceptance that tug on your heart strings. With themes of resilience, hope, and courage, I’m sure other readers will find this story to be just as alluring and touching as I did.

I didn’t have set expectations going into this book, and yet it still surprised me. It’s unconventional, but not weird. Throughout the story, it’s clear something is up in an unsettling way, without being outright scary. That’s where I found the momentum. I most enjoyed the unraveling backstory. No—I most enjoyed the satisfying conclusion and then revisiting the journey in my mind to see it all coming together. :) It didn’t disappoint. Especially recommend for the introspective reader, for those looking for fresh storytelling, for anyone who understands or struggles with the tenuous balance between encouragement and pushiness from parent to child.

"The Boy, The Boat and The Beast" is cast as a middle-grade novel but it is far from that. This is a must-read for every parent and particularly those who sense withdrawal or disconnection in their kids. The book will bring back, as it did to me, remembrances of growing up in a world whose dimensions change, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worst. Simple things like going to the bathroom in the dark of night, shadows moving as the glare from street lamps infiltrate through closed shutters - like being given your first taste of eggnog - like arriving home late from the park with dinner already on the table and anticipating the fuss. The book visits all of these feelings, fear, joy, understanding, growth and trust. This is a book to be read by a family - not just the children.

This was a beautifully written, heartbreaking, and hopeful story that gripped me from start to finish. I read this in one sitting, staying up until midnight because I couldn't put it down. In a way, it reminded me of Hatchet because of how alone the boy is, and how much the author is able to accomplish with a single character who is alone for much of the book, but it is much more than that. There is a powerful blend of magic, memory, and survival in this book, and it haunted me long after I had closed its pages. Definitely one I will read again and again!

I teach middle school reading and writing and let me tell you, this book is terrible. I read 40 pages and just could not stand to read any more. Lots of people liked it; I did not. I guess you'll have to decide for yourself.