Windcatcher

by Avi

While learning to sail during a visit to his grandmother's at the Connecticut shore, eleven-year-old Tony becomes excited about the rumors of sunken treasure in the area and starts following a couple who seem to be making a mysterious search for something.

Genres: Mystery, Adventure, Fiction, Young Adult, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade

128 pages, Hardcover

First published March 30, 1991

About the author

Avi is a pen name for Edward Irving Wortis, but he says, "The fact is, Avi is the only name I use." Born in 1937, Avi has created many fictional favorites such as The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Nothing but the Truth, and the Crispin series. His work is popular among readers young and old.

Reviews

[Victor Vilchiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

it left me hanging... not cool man.

[Jarm Boccio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must be fair. There is a reason why Avi’s books have been popular. In the 1990’s, this book would have been well-read by young people- especially boys. It’s written well and has a strong plot. It’s a heartwarming story. But in comparison to similar books in today’s market, the characters do not hook me. There is conflict, but not enough to keep me reading, but I did, to give it a full chance. It occurred to me that Windcatcher is a perfect ‘mentor text’ for those of us who are aspiring Middle Grade authors, being an example of the ‘show, don’t tell’ rule. One chapter, towards the end, is nothing but narration. And we are told what Tony was thinking and doing, instead of witnessing it ourselves. I confess. This is a challenge for me, too. I have enjoyed many other of Avi’s book, including the Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. But somehow, this one, to me, falls short.

[Jonea]

I read this book to my P 6 class (grade 5). They loved it in general but wanted more from the ending. I think they wanted a cleaner resolution.

I enjoyed it as well. I definitely thought it was going in a different direction than it did at some points.

They will be beginning the genre of suspense next. As a model text it worked really well because the foreshadowing was really strong and the kids didn’t need a lot of prior knowledge. Also the sailing terms were not too cumbersome and I think a 10/11 yo cold navy gate them independently.

[Ty Linder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I borrowed this from my elementary school library more times than I can count. I randomly thought of it recently and bought it from Amazon. For the first hundred pages it was as good and captivating as I remember, but the ending left a lot to be desired. I don’t remember being disappointed as a kid but I’m sure I was.

Nonetheless, I will still probably recommend it to my fourth and fifth graders! It’s a decent quick read with good vocabulary-building.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adventure, independence, treasure hunting, mystery, exciting,

Boy buys a sailboat and learns to sail during summer, where he discovers a lost shipwreck. Beginning was too slow for me, end came too quickly.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a pretty good adventure story on a sailboat. This is about a young boy getting a sailboat and learning to sail in the waters of Connecticut, AND finding possible treasure. What could be better? ;) This is a fairly simple story but it was enjoyable.

[Ejay Lagumen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Canadian aunt gave me this book back when I’m still in middle school. Now working, I had the chance to finish reading.

This book is light and comforting but at the same time thought-provoking. I simply love this book.

[Connor Lefevre · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kinda liked this book because it wasn't very interesting and it skipped around a lot so it was hard to catch up on what was happening.

[Linda Hanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good mystery, slight danger story for a young reader. Nice little mystery with a satisfying ending.

[Nathan Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending could have tied things up just a little more.

[Shanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tony buys a sailboat, learns to sail, goes off sailing on his own, gets himself into a bit of a pickle. This is a fast-paced story with mystery and adventure.

[Tina Bethge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had a great pull! Read it in less than 2hrs. Ending was good but it felt as thought the author just finished it for a deadline. Definitely interested in reading more by them!

[Amy Varchetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars A good enjoyable adventure. Perfect for reluctant middle-grade readers.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Avi. It was just ok, hope he has better offerings.

[Percy Haas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goonies, but he's not completely reckless

[Abbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read quite a few Avi books, and this was good, but certainly not at the top of the stack. The plot felt pretty clichéd, but my kids enjoyed it.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, as I learned to sail at about this age, too.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book in elementary school, multiple times. I loved this one and 'The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle".

I was feeling nostalgic so I bought 'Windcatcher' the other day. The book is definitely not as long as I remembered 😂, but the story is every bit as complex.

The thing I love about this book is how much it puts you into the setting. You feel like you're on the Sound with Tony, you feel like you're in the fog, mist, and rain. The small islands feel mysterious and the summer magical.

Windsailing is on my bucket list because of this book!

[Sarah Eagle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've come to love Avi as a writer. Most of his books are hits, and rarely are they ever a miss. This was no exception. It was exciting, it was fun, it was informative about sailing (at least to my landlubber tastes, having never set sail ever) and it was a treat to read.

But I have to say, the ending was really terrible. There was TALK of resolving the plot of the entire book, but it's as if the last ten pages are missing, since no one actually does anything to resolve it. If Avi bothered to actually conclude the book properly, I would have given this 5 stars.

[Meg · Rating 1 out of 5]

Avi is a weird dude, the book is meant for the young but has no depth at all. Not very mysterious for a mystery.

Avi obviously does NOT know how to sail, based on comments like "His teacher told him to come about. He pushed the tiller away and she said 'No! the other way!'"

Supposedly the kid learns enough in two lesons to take this boat out alone in the ocean, now that is the true mystery.

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

the book was not very intortaning because the mane carictor is just wind surfing. tony was inoying it seemes in the book. It seemed like he is just sitting around all day. i feel like doing something else insteed. if I was the ather I'd make tony do more athletic stuff. but one of the things i liked is windsurfing. there should be more heroic and saving and romantic seance for tony. i would of improved

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avi does a great job of writing a believable young boy who doesn't realize how naive he is in his search for treasure. The trouble he gets into is not overdone, and the mystery he is trying to solve feels probable. The ending is a disappointment for character and also the reader, but it suits the story.

[Fred Kohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was all right, I guess, but I've gotten used to expecting better from Avi. Since a boat was involved, I was hoping for some of the excitement of The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, but this didn't come close.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book and I will definitely use it as a recommendation to boys at my library. It's got adventure, treasure, danger but is set in a real life situation so it feels like it is about every boy. You'll want to go sailing after reading it!

[Junessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good AVI adventure but the ending is a little less than satisfying. I would have liked to have more answers at the end. It has a story line that is easy to follow and nice excitement but not scary so I'd say it's good for ages 9+.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio book. Must be juvenile fiction. I expected more. However, what kid does not like the idea of looking for treasure? Just for myself, I would have ranked it two stars but for juvenile fiction I would rank it 3.

[Randi Tyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

My kids and I enjoyed this book and the adventure and mystery that the main character enters. Just as it seemed to get to its climax, it ended. We were left hanging so drastically at the end that we were actually a little mad about it.

[Kristin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was the bane of my fifth-grade existence. I guess I'm just not big on books about survival or the sea.

[Olin · Rating 5 out of 5]

the first noval i've ever read

[MacKenzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not interesting enough to keep me hooked...it's about a boy who tries to find a wrecked ship before 2 other people also searching for it.