Refuge Cove

by Lesley Choyce

Greg is an avid sailor. On a solo trip off the rugged Newfoundland coast, he stumbles upon a family of desperate refugees stranded in a lifeboat. Fearing for their lives if they are deported to their homeland, the family convinces Greg to help them, and keep their existence secret. He promises not to call the authorities and takes the family home. When his plan begins to unravel, and the family flees into the teeth of an oncoming storm, Greg goes after them. A thrilling story that demonstrates the importance of community and the power of conviction, Refuge Cove is also an exciting adventure.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Realistic Fiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Lesley Choyce is a novelist and poet living at Lawrencetown Beach, Nova Scotia. He is the author of more than 80 books for adults, teens and children. He teaches in the English Department and Transition Year Program at Dalhousie University. He is a year-round surfer and founding member of the 1990s spoken word rock band, The SurfPoets. Choyce also runs Pottersfield Press, a small literary publishing house and hosted the national TV show, Off The Page, for many years. His books have been translated into Spanish, French, German and Danish and he has been awarded the Dartmouth Book Award and the Ann Connor Brimer Award.

Lesley Choyce was born in New Jersey in 1951 and moved to Canada in 1978 and became a citizen.

His YA novels concern things like skateboarding, surfing, racism, environmental issues, organ transplants, and rock bands.

Reviews

[Mag · Rating 4 out of 5]

Newfoundland, refugees, some rugged landscape and adventure. A good book for independent reading. A bit simple as far as the story goes, and a bit too difficult as far as the language goes, but overall ok. A nice character of Harold- I hope he is somebody real.
3.5/5

[Jeremiah Jerez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that I had to read was Refuge Cove. It started off by Greg and his mom going to move because his family had a wish. That when they saved enough money they would move somewhere separated from the world a little bit. They moved there after Greg’s father passed away.
One day he was sailing solo in the rugged north Newfoundland coast and he stumbled upon a family, Tamara and her family, that are immigrants and convinced Greg to help them. Greg’s mom also helped him keep them hidden but soon the authorities found out that they were having refugees in their home. Authorities didn't know how to feel about it so they gave it time but they knew it was illegal so they had to take action but then as soon as they were going to take them away everybody from Cove showed up and started protesting.
In the book I didn't like how it did not give what had happened to his dad. It didn't give a bigger backstory to Greg. I felt like if they would have added more detail then the book would have been amazing overall it was a good book but since it was short there alot of main pieces missing. The book also didn't even say his mom’s name which I feel is important, i like how they added the sailor character because he really helped develop the story and plot.
The most suspenseful part of the book there are two. The first one is when he met I forgot his name but he scared Greg and I liked that because he also helped Greg become a good sailor. The second suspense part of the book was when Greg almost got lost at sea because there was this rough storm and he almost got lost and died but he used his sailor skills and quickly saved himself. All these suspense parts of the book were learning experiences for Greg. Like when he found the family I bet at first he didn’t want anything to do with them cause he felt like it wasn’t worth the risk. The family soon convinced him to help them and he met good friends.


I recommend this book if you like adventure or like things with unexpected events taking place.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Refuge Cove is a young adult book for reluctant readers that I read to some of my students at school. It is about a teenage boy and his mother who move from Toronto to an outport in Newfoundland after the death of the boy's father. The boy is a champion sailor and in exploring the ocean around the outport he rescues a family of refugees, stranded in a lifeboat. The book is about his struggles over what to do to help the family when they are terrified of being turned in to Canadian immigration officers. The book held the interest of my students quite well, but I still would not put it in the upper tier of young adult fiction. Refuge Cove is a good, but not great book.

[Tyler Dyck · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this because I am working through reading all the books in my classroom library. The story is extremely rushed and lacks the imagery to keep a reader at the high school level engaged, but it could be a rewarding book for a student at the appropriate reading level.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book that dealt with a boy named Greg who helped a family of immigrants from Asia. Very easy Realistic Fiction Read.

[Margaux Collier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refuge Cove, is written by Lesly Choyce. This book talks abou this young man about the age of 15 years old. Him and his mother lives, in Newfoundland. About a year ago, he had lost his father, from cancer. Hi s name id Greg. Greg loves going sailing in the ocean, in his Lazer, his dream boat. As Greg was only a new arrival to Newfoundland, he meets Harold, who then becomes his friend. One day, Greg, was just talking a small ride to the ocean, what he alys does. He then seesa boat. A Boat with no one insid. So Greg decides to gnx that boat and ee wat inside. As Greg, was interring the boat, a man comes up with a knife close to his throat. Greg, doesn’t get scraed, no h is cam and asks the men to put that knife dowm, that he was not a mean person, he was only someone, a young men, that could help them. In this boat there was three people, a father, mother, and adaughter who’s name is Tamara. Greg, dosnttake thatlong t fall inlove with thsyoung beautiful lady. Later on, Greg descovers that they are refugies. Greg, decidesto help this poor family.He brings them to his house, gives them food, shelter. But then, the father starts lossing trust on Greg and his fanmily, since while walking with Greg, Tamara, Ravi, Indora, the family refuge, they see a car of police people, asking the mother if she had see anoy refugy family. The mother replies with a “No”. Tamra takes Greg, were her dad and her mon couldn’t see them, and tells Greg, that she had to go. That they had to go. Greg leans, and kisses Tamara, and goes bak to his house. The next morning, Greg, goes see if Tamara and her family were okay, but he didn’t find them. So he took Harold’s boat, with Harold and went searching for them. They found them, in the ocean, on their boat. He takes them back to his house and them enters the Immigration men. Saying that they could finally stay. That he knew and that there was no problem for them to stay. Ten months later, Greg, is happily living in Newfoundland, with the girl that he loves.

Greg, changes Tamara’s family lives, by, hiding them, and that now they are able to live in Newfoundland with no problems. The person that inspired Greg, is his fater, even though his father died, Greg nows he has to be like his father, he knows that he father have inspired him in every shape of way. What like about Greg is that he is nice, that he keeps secret even though some secrets can lead him into bad trouble ! Thus, Greg is a nice person.


My favorite part of the book, was when Greg, found Tamara and er family, because this is a really cute part and everyone knows that Greg, is inlove with Tamara, so he is happy to find her back. My least favorite part of the book, was the begging when is explains how he met Harold because its not really a important character Harold, so this is why I didn’t really like that part. I would like to read more books from Lesley Choyce because, her book Refuge Cove is really interesting and I guess that her books might also be that interessting. I would reccomande this boko, to the people that like short books, because this book is actually really short and people that like suspenseful books, because this book is really suspensful.

[Rees · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book the theme is mainly about sailing. In the beginning of the book Gregs father dies thats one of the issues because he has to deal with that. also in the middle of the book greg meets some refugees in the ocean and wants to help them. I think the authors message is the helping people is rewarding. Also a problem in this book is the government finds out about the refugees and they need to find out what to do.
The main character in this book is greg, greg loves sailing. Also Harold is a character hes an old rum smuggler and becomes friends with greg. Tamara and her family are main characters too and they're refugees. Gregs mom is also a main character and she has to help greg with the refugees to keep them hidden. The towns people are side characters that help greg and his mom get settled into their new home.
This book takes place in canada somewhere along the coastline. In this book Greg and his mom move from mainland toronto. Greg is a sailor and sails a lot which leads to him meeting the refugees. The government ends up finding clues as to the refugees being there and Greg has to find out how to deal with it. Harold, Gregs friend, helps Greg keep the refugees a secret.
I gave this book a 4 out of 5 stars because its slow at the beginning but good at the end. Someone who likes sailing would like this book. I think that this book gets good at the end. I gave this book that rating because is really slow at the beginning but gets good toward the end. I thought this book wasn't to bad and its a pretty easy read.

[Marin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy reading this book because I feel like many people can relate to what is happening especially now because many people are moving to other countries looking for safe place where they can be just like Tamara's family was scared to get deported and didn't trust no one, I feel like there is many of us doing this not giving the chance to trust others and not running away form our problems, what I liked the most is how the narrator gives a lot of details and it makes you get that image in your head of how things are going in the book like when "Greg" got in big trouble with an iceberg or when "Tamara's dad" cut his arm you could feel in the book so i really recommend that you read this book plus it was nice to read and easy.

[Fernando · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refuge Cover is one the greatest book I have ever read in my life. It’s very interesting to read. This book just made me read it more and more after reading just the first two chapters it started out slow but as I read it got very intense. It’s a great book to read especially because it’s not to long to read it’s short and a very interesting book. It’s about a kid named Greg and his mom that move to a small town on the coast. They moved away from a big city to a small city after his dad died. It was his dad’s plan to move away and live by the sea the rest of their lives. They thought the small town was peaceful but they don’t know the adventures that are waiting for them there. Life there is very different for them- not only meeting new people but the way the town is. On a nice day Greg goes out sailing on the sea. As he was out in the sea he finds a family in a small boat that are Refugees that are running away. He takes the family back to his house, but his mom does not like the idea of having them at their house. Immigration shows up at their house a lot of times asking questions about whether they have seen a family. They take Greg’s mom to ask her questions, and the family tries to escape and goes on to sea on a ugly windy night. When she comes back from the Immigration department she talks with Greg. Read the rest of the book to find out what happens to the family. My best part of the book was when Greg helps the family.

[Estefani Romero · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think this book is a good book overall. Not many people like these kind of books like me. Just like any other book they have some parts that I like and don’t like, but I mostly like this book. The part that I liked about this book was that Greg wanted to help the family and save them from their corrupted laws or government. Greg has a nice heart, I think that other people wouldn’t do what Greg is doing. Aside from Greg, my favorite character is Tamara because she helped translate for her parents. They were Immigrants.

I would recommend this book to nice loving people who care about others. I would also recommend it to the people who like drama, this book has a little bit of drama in it. I’m pretty sure they would like this book. I want everyone to read this book! I am almost 100% sure you guys would love this book!!!

[Ghali El · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the first chapter, there is a boy describing his house and he said that he never saw a house like this one because one part of the house in on rocks and the other part of the house is on water. A moment he started to talk with this man. With this man they talked about boats and the races with the boats. The boy tells to the man that he also does races with boats and that he is the best. He tells him that the kind of boat that the man has is not a boat for those areas because know he is at an Ocean. “ But that’s no boat for the North Atlantic. This here’s an ocean, lad, not some inland lake”. ( p 3 Lesley Choyce).


In the second chapter, the boys saw a boat coming. When he saw it he started to think who is on this boat. A moment a person came and look at him and scared him. “ I can’t tell you cause you look like a ghost” ( p 10 Lesley Choyce).A moment he started to talk with his mother and told her that they need to have friends because they can’t stay without friends.


In the third chapter, The boy went on the boat. When he came back he stays with his mother. A moment he went fishing with Harold and they said that they hope to catch fishes. “ Maybe we’ll catch some fish, maybe not”. (p 17 Lesley Choyce). He started to talk with Harold and saying why are there a lot of people that fishing in this Area.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refuge Cove is the title of the book and the author is Lesley Choyce. The most challenges part in the book was when Ravi and his family run away when they found out that there was a police in Greg's house. It was hard for Greg to confuess them to come back to the house. What i like is how Greg helped a family he has just met in a lifeboat.The main characters were Greg, Tamara, Hareld, Ravi and Indra. and the other significant character was Wilkins a policeman. The major events is when Ravi say to Greg "you tell i kill". That was when Greg first met Tamara's family.Tamara's father was afarid of what Greg was wearing, he throught Greg was a policeman so he tried to hurt him. I will do connections to world because in real life i no someone who has done this for a family because the person was inlove with one of the family member's, that's what Greg did he was inlove with Tamara so he couldn't stopped helping them even when they run away he want looking for them. My opinion about this book is that Greg was a brave guy who just met stangers whom almost tried to kill him but he helped them. I think Greg helped them becuse he was inlove with Tamara.

[Muhammad · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never liked moving, but in Lesley Choyce's book Refuge Cove the main character,Greg, is happy to move away from his old home in Toronto. After his father passed away, Greg and his mother decided to start a new life and move to a place Called Newfoundland. Although Greg and his mother left to forget about their life in Toronto, Greg still continues one hobby that he had in Toronto: sailing.

One thing that I enjoyed about this book was the theme of the story. The theme of the story implied by Lesley Choyce is heroism. One day while sailing, Greg comes across a small boat. He goes to inspect the boat and he finds some illegal immigrants. Even though it is dangerous, Greg decides to help these immigrants and give shelter in his own home. This is how the author implies the theme of heroism.

The book was overall very enjoyable. Even though the book is very short it is still enjoyable. I would recommend it to people who have just started reading. I hope other people who decide to read this book enjoy it as much as I did.

[Adam Lind · Rating 3 out of 5]

Refuge Cove
Book test
By: Adam Lind

I think this book should be brought with on the ship because; it is a very good book to read. This book is about a boy named Greg that lives in Newfoundland, and Greg finds a small boat and inside of the boat are three refugees named Ravi, Indra, and Tamara. Greg takes the refugees to his house and convinces his mom to let them stay for a while. But after a few days of harboring the refugees, Greg and the refugees are on there way back to the house when they see police cars in the drive way. The refugees decide to stay the night outside in a tent. Greg goes to investigate and his mom is worried that they will get caught. But the next morning when Greg goes to get the refugees they are gone from the spot they camped out in. This book is very action packed and brings a lot of suspense to the reader, and that is why I think this book should be brought along.

[Marcus · Rating 2 out of 5]

Refuge cove is a ok book. It is about a guy who steal's a car and gets caught. So he either go to jail or he does community service. So he does communit service for 100 hours. So he works for this lady. Greg takes his punishment by doing the hours for the whole summer. Greg and his whole family have to pay the debt for the stolen car.

Greg finishes his hours by the begining of the school year. Greg learned his lesson. The book was ok but not that intersing. If u want to a boring book you should pick this one. Refuge cove is not the best book i read this year.

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty interesting I guess but i thought it sure did oversimplify the hell out of things. Also clearly not written in today's times-the immigration officers just want to help you???

[-savey-;♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

i didnt really like gthis book but i read a couple pages of it and i chamged it. the book i am currenly reading is the fantastic secret of owen jester

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the better Orca books.

[Jenniferjoli jolo]

Orca Soundings Teen Fiction for Reluctant Readers reading level from grade .0 to 4.5.

[Amy Mathers · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://amysmarathonofbooks.ca/refuge-...

[Aiden]

I give this book five stars. I thought this book was very interesting and it was never boring and it was filled with adventers. If they like adventers and a non boring book this is the one for them. I am not very sher what will make it better.

[Joshua Poh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think that Refugee Cove is close to A Long Walk to Water because they both have a character who runs away from somewhere. In ALWTW Salva had to escape Sudan and in Refugee Cove Tamara had to escape China.