Castaway : the diary of Samuel Abraham Clark, Disappointment Island, 1907

My New Zealand Story

by Bill O'Brien

Life in the orphanage is often brutal and Sam decides to break away and work his passage to Sydney on a ship. From there he plans to go to America to find his brother. Unfortunately he chooses the ill-fated Dundonald to work his passage. Only weeks out from Sydney the Dundonald is wrecked and Sam is one of 15 sailors cast away on Disappointment Island.

Genres: History, Diary, Childrens

207 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

New Zealand-based Bill O'Brien worked as a police officer for over 35 years. He has been involved in numerous murder investigations and has an interest in and deep knowledge of the effects of murder. He studied criminology at Victoria University in Wellington, and criminal law at Auckland University, New Zealand.

Reviews

[Molly]

This entire series is a wonderful way to learn history or teach it to adolescents. I find today's generations seem to recall more when they learn through other people (pop songs, celebrity gossip, etc.), so what better way to teach history than through someone else's perspective? Yes, "authentic" diaries would be "better", but would the language really hold the modern student's attention? Did the diary writer know what WOULD be important in the context of history? Probably not.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

it is really sad, but at lest he survived

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was ages ago. I remember the birds they ate. I wrote it in my journal.

[Tanderton · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book full of adventure and fun thrilling action and emotions I loved the way they escaped off the island I recommend this book to everyone

[Josiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was one of the best books I have ever read!!.It is full of adventure and emotion.I liked it when they got off the island and when he found his brother. This is a great book.

[Jen]

interesting book :)

[Tangiora Maney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very captivating book, i really enjoyed it !
I love the history behind the story and the fact that the true story was based in NZ

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent Book!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

highly recommend I really enjoyed this book

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part of the "My New Zealand Story" series by Scholastic books and is the story of the fictional Sam who recounts in his diary the sinking of the Dundonald on Disappointment Island, next to Auckland Island in the Southern ocean, south of New Zealand in 1907. This is a famous NZ story because of how the castaways survived horrendous conditions to finally make a coracle to get across to the depot on Auckland Island. Just a note: the story outline above says Sam was in an orphanage. No he wasn't, he was taken in by friends of his parents.
Having a fictional character tell a story is an old writing trope but it works very well here. This is well written, a good read for teenagers, young adults and adults. An enjoyable days read.

[Isaac Johnston-Lammas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is definitely one to read!
As a Kiwi I can guarantee so much history has been covered due to it being "boring". Oh really? This book brilliantly examples the resilience, courage, and triumph of the survivors who experienced the harsh conditions of Disappointment Island following the horrible day that was the wreckage of the Dundonald. Although this book does tell a great story, there were grammatical and literary opportunities missed. I would say this book only just misses my standard of an excellent read.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Filled with sadness and adventure, it would be a good book for young, adventurous readers. This made me cry at the sad parts and cry with joy too. I recommend for the young, adventurous kind of readers.

[Jackie Wiki-Witute]

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