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The Young Man and the Sea
Twelve-year-old Skiff Beaman's mom just died, and his fisherman dad is too depressed to drag himself off the couch and go to work. So these days Skiff has to take care of everything himself. But when his dad's boat sinks, Skiff discovers it will cost thousands to buy a new engine. Skiff's lobster traps won't earn him enough, but there are bigger fish in the sea -- bluefin tuna. If he can catch one of those monster fish, Skiff just might save the boat -- and his family
208 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2004
84 people are currently reading
608 people want to read
About the author
Rodman Philbrick
61 books376 followersAka William R Dantz, Chris Jordan, W.R. Philbrick.
Rodman Philbrick grew up on the New England coast, where he worked as a longshoreman and boat builder. For many years he wrote mysteries and detective novels. The Private Eye Writers of America nominated two of his T.D.Stash series as best detective novel and then selected Philbrick's 'Brothers & Sinners' as Best Novel in 1993. Writing under the pen name 'William R. Dantz' he has explored the near-future worlds of genetic engineering and hi-tech brain control in books like 'Hunger', 'Pulse', 'The Seventh Sleeper'. And 'Nine Levels Down'.
Inspired by the life of a boy who lived a few blocks away, he wrote 'Freak The Mighty', the award-winning young-adult novel, which has been translated into numerous languages and is now read in schools throughout the world. The book was adapted to the screen in 1998 as 'The Mighty', starring Sharon Stone, Gillian Anderson, James Gandolfini, Kieran Culkin, and Elden Henson.
Philbrick, a screenwriter as well as a novelist, is the author of a number of novels for young readers, including 'The Fire Pony', 'Max the Mighty', 'REM World', 'The Last Book In The Universe', 'The Journal of Douglas Allen Deeds' and 'The Young Man And The Sea'. His recent novels for adults include 'Dark Matter', 'Coffins', and 'Taken'. He and his wife divide their time between Maine and the Florida Keys.
Rodman Philbrick grew up on the New England coast, where he worked as a longshoreman and boat builder. For many years he wrote mysteries and detective novels. The Private Eye Writers of America nominated two of his T.D.Stash series as best detective novel and then selected Philbrick's 'Brothers & Sinners' as Best Novel in 1993. Writing under the pen name 'William R. Dantz' he has explored the near-future worlds of genetic engineering and hi-tech brain control in books like 'Hunger', 'Pulse', 'The Seventh Sleeper'. And 'Nine Levels Down'.
Inspired by the life of a boy who lived a few blocks away, he wrote 'Freak The Mighty', the award-winning young-adult novel, which has been translated into numerous languages and is now read in schools throughout the world. The book was adapted to the screen in 1998 as 'The Mighty', starring Sharon Stone, Gillian Anderson, James Gandolfini, Kieran Culkin, and Elden Henson.
Philbrick, a screenwriter as well as a novelist, is the author of a number of novels for young readers, including 'The Fire Pony', 'Max the Mighty', 'REM World', 'The Last Book In The Universe', 'The Journal of Douglas Allen Deeds' and 'The Young Man And The Sea'. His recent novels for adults include 'Dark Matter', 'Coffins', and 'Taken'. He and his wife divide their time between Maine and the Florida Keys.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews
August 17, 2012
Silly me. As a mom I was envisioning it would be me encouraging the kids to open their reading lists to new titles. Instead it has been them encouraging me. My 9 year old, who is fascinated by fish and fishing, checked this book out and raved about it. "You *have* to read this! I'm to the part in this book where the boy is in the water and the giant fish is circling him! It's so exciting!", she said.
However, as an adult reader there is so much more to this book. Ultimately it is about a young boy who has to become the "adult" in the family after his mother dies because his father retreats into alcoholism. His father gives up working and just sits at home. Their fishing boat sinks and the boy sets out to raise and repair it on his own with guidance from the local retired ship builders and fisherman. He works during the summer to raise enough money for repairs while also having to deal with another kid bent on making sure he fails. However, he never gives up no matter the obstacle. I feel it also deals honestly with the emotions this young boy deals with in regards to his father's apathy as well as what a child's thought process as they try to "fix" a situation. It is a book well worth reading regardless of what age you are.
However, as an adult reader there is so much more to this book. Ultimately it is about a young boy who has to become the "adult" in the family after his mother dies because his father retreats into alcoholism. His father gives up working and just sits at home. Their fishing boat sinks and the boy sets out to raise and repair it on his own with guidance from the local retired ship builders and fisherman. He works during the summer to raise enough money for repairs while also having to deal with another kid bent on making sure he fails. However, he never gives up no matter the obstacle. I feel it also deals honestly with the emotions this young boy deals with in regards to his father's apathy as well as what a child's thought process as they try to "fix" a situation. It is a book well worth reading regardless of what age you are.
August 4, 2021
Did I pick this up off the shelf at the library in the Junior Fiction section solely because the title is a nod to Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea? Yes, yes, I did. And then I read the whole thing in one sitting and enjoyed myself thoroughly! I had tears in my eyes by the end of this book, it was so good.
November 2, 2022
Annesi öldükten sonra hayatla kendi başına mücadele etmek zorunda kalan on iki yaşındaki Skiffy'nin hikayesi...
Aslında bir çocuk kitabı ama yetişkinlerin de çok şey öğrenebileceği bir kitap.
Balık tutmayı ve denize açılmayı sevenlerin hoşuna gideceğini düşünüyorum.
Ben çevirirken çok keyif aldım, umarım siz de beğenirsiniz. :)
Aslında bir çocuk kitabı ama yetişkinlerin de çok şey öğrenebileceği bir kitap.
Balık tutmayı ve denize açılmayı sevenlerin hoşuna gideceğini düşünüyorum.
Ben çevirirken çok keyif aldım, umarım siz de beğenirsiniz. :)
August 3, 2015
This is a great choice for someone outdoorsy and who likes to boat and/or fish. That is not me, so I found it a little dry and a little hard to relate to.
April 1, 2014
Apparently every student I've ever had has read this. Thanks Connor for bringing it in and letting me borrow it. I enjoyed Skiff's determination in the face of so many challenges. I also enjoyed the connection to the Hemingway story that becomes very clear as you read on!
March 27, 2018
The Young Man and The Sea is a book about a boy named Skiff who likes to fish. A lot of problems keep on occurring in his life which seem to keep on making his harder for him. His dad is not the biggest help in his life so he has to take care of everything by himself.
Skiff is the main character and he is a teenager. Skiff is a good kid and he is very helpful. In the book it changes tones a lot, sometimes it is sad and others it is exciting. But when his dad’s boat sinks, Skiff discovers it will cost thousands of dollars to buy a new engine. Skiff also loves to go lobster trapping. But lobster trapping will not earn him enough to buy a new engine. Skiff will have to find a new way to earn money to pay for a new engine.
I think this book was entertaining. I think this book is sad but at the same time thrilling book. I think this book had a lot of strengths but it also had some weakness. Some things I wish the author would have done is at a little more detail at the end. This book is also a good book because it keeps you interested in it for most of the whole book because new topics or problems keep on occurring. I also like this book because it is kind of short and it just jumps to the points you need to know.
I enjoyed reading Young Man and The Sea because it kept me entertained also because it was interesting. I would recommended this book to people that like fishing and also maybe to someone who wants to read a quick book.
Skiff is the main character and he is a teenager. Skiff is a good kid and he is very helpful. In the book it changes tones a lot, sometimes it is sad and others it is exciting. But when his dad’s boat sinks, Skiff discovers it will cost thousands of dollars to buy a new engine. Skiff also loves to go lobster trapping. But lobster trapping will not earn him enough to buy a new engine. Skiff will have to find a new way to earn money to pay for a new engine.
I think this book was entertaining. I think this book is sad but at the same time thrilling book. I think this book had a lot of strengths but it also had some weakness. Some things I wish the author would have done is at a little more detail at the end. This book is also a good book because it keeps you interested in it for most of the whole book because new topics or problems keep on occurring. I also like this book because it is kind of short and it just jumps to the points you need to know.
I enjoyed reading Young Man and The Sea because it kept me entertained also because it was interesting. I would recommended this book to people that like fishing and also maybe to someone who wants to read a quick book.
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May 9, 2017The young man and the sea is based around the character of Samuel 'Skiff' Beamen. He is nicknamed Skiff like his dad because they live on a creek that leads into the harbor and they used to build boats, and some boats are known as skiffs. His dad now, after his mother died, is a depressed drunk. I know the authors purpose is to make us feel sorry for Skiff and it is working on me. I feel bad for Skiff but I also respect him because even through all of this when their boat sunk he is drawing it up and fixing it. His hard work and tenacity is something I can relate to because I've seen it in the real world. To an extent I want to be like Skiff Beamen. I'm not sure how this book will end but I know Skiff will try his hardest to make sure it goes his way.
March 29, 2022
I read this in preparation for assigning it for my class of 6th grade reluctant readers in Maine. Either the author has spent time as a lobsterman or he’s really, really good at creating authentic dialogue and settings that made the somewhat far fetched plot (30 miles out to sea in a 10 foot skiff to harpoon a 900 lb. Bluefin…really?) so believable and enjoyable I didn’t want to put it down. The main character is a 12 year old and the 9-14 year old set would enjoy this, but so would any adult who likes a good story.
October 12, 2017
"Slash, slash slash, went my boat. It was pitch black and that was the only thing you could here. It was foggy too, making it hard for where I wanted to go. Slash slash the motor just stopped. Great, I'm in the middle of the sea, its dark, I have no food and water, and I'm scared."
The title of my realistic fiction book is called The Young Man and The Sea by Rodman Philbrick. This book is about a 12 year old who loves his mom, his dad, and his boat Mary Rose that broke down. When he was 4 years old, his mom died, and his dad became a lazy drunk guy who doesn't want to loose anything else than his boy Skiff. The boy was devastated, it's been 8 years of being called names by a jerk and taking care of his dad. When the boy was twelve years old, he set lobster traps, near two hundred of them, and tried to make money for his family. Yet Tyler Croft (the bully) cut all of his traps. He wanted a faster way to make money, so he set sail on his boat Mary Rose and had a remarkable Journey of him almost dying by the world's biggest fish.
A internal conflict in the book is when the dad started to be a lazy drunk guy, and the boy was mad and irritated at him. This is known as character vs self.
A external conflict in the book is when he set sail for 30 miles, in hope of catching a tuna, he had one of the line, and the rope was pouring out the end of the boat, and there was a knot, and he got his wrist stuck in the rope, with a 800lb tuna swimming super fast to the bottom of the ocean, and had no chance of getting air. This is character vs nature.
I like the book, because it was adventurous and was extremely thrilling each page of the book. I didn't like the book, was because there wasn't enough pages to read on. The book was that good making you want to read on. Anybody in 7th-8th grade would like this book, because it's funny, adventurous, and extremely interesting as you go along with the book. I preferably think 12+ age would like this book.
July 20, 2018
Skiff Beaman is the kind of character that sticks with me. He narrates this tale of personal formidability, ethos, and determination with such a clear, loveable, wonderful-kid voice. I wouldn’t necessarily hand this book straight to a kid, because it would take a strong reader to decipher the dialect and nautical jargon. But it’s a great book nonetheless. It would be great for a read-aloud, but only if you can do a Maine accent.
May 22, 2021
Nope. This book is bad in my opinion. As an aspiring writer, the grammar bugs me. I'm guessing that's how it's supposed to be, but....Grammar! I found this book extremely boring as well.
April 27, 2021
I was definitely not the target audience for this book.
February 8, 2018
An interesting adolescent re-telling of the classic novella by Ernest Hemingway. Many similar struggles, both in the water and out, but through the lens of a 12-year-old boy. I appreciated the adaptation and think it can help young readers feel up to reading some more of the classics. I read this right after another reading of Freak the Mighty, and the narrator sounds a lot like Max, but not exactly. Well done.
March 10, 2013
Tried taking a break from all the fantasy and mythology books I've been reading.
It was a short and pleasant story but very, very predictable. You could practically tell what was going to happen from the very beginning. It took a couple of pages to get used to the character's way of speaking but it was nevertheless, well written. I liked it.
It was a short and pleasant story but very, very predictable. You could practically tell what was going to happen from the very beginning. It took a couple of pages to get used to the character's way of speaking but it was nevertheless, well written. I liked it.
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November 9, 2020My friends in education like to talk about a “growth mindset,” the idea that a person can improve themselves and their condition by hard work. This story is ultimately an adventure story, that of one young man, a boy really, at age 12, alone in an open boat at sea. That was exciting. But what I really loved about the book was watching a boy put that growth mindset to work. He believed he could, so he did.
Skiff’s mom has died, and his dad, a fisherman on the coast of Maine, has fallen into a deep depression. He doesn’t get off the couch. Meanwhile, the family’s boat has sunk, at the dock. Skiff visits his neighbor Mr. Woodwell, a ninety-something year old boatbuilder. Mr. Woodwell tells him how to raise the boat using steel drums and ropes and a winch. Then Mr. Woodwell tells him how to remove the rotten boards and replace them with clean boards from his shop. Skiff does all this.
But there’s a problem. The engine repair will cost $5,000. Skiff needs cash. He thinks he can get it by trapping lobsters. He sets 200 traps. It’s physically demanding work, pulling up those heavy traps, but he ignores his aching muscles and continues. The money does start to trickle in. But there’s another problem. There’s a bully in town cutting Skiff’s lines, just out of meanness, which means there’s no way for Skiff to pull them up from the bottom.
Skiff confronts Tyler Croft, the bully. Tyler says it’s your word against mine. Skiff figures that he can’t win that fight, because Tyler is rich and his daddy can afford lawyers, while Skiff is just a poor swamper. What then? How can he get the money?
While he’s thinking about it, an out of towner pulls up at the dock with a bluefin tuna he caught. The fish is 410 pounds. He sells it for $6,560. That’s it, Skiff thinks. All I need is just one of those big fish. If I could catch just one, all our troubles would be over.
And then the adventure begins, an adventure that is one part grit and determination, and many more parts stupidity. The stupidest thing, after going in the first place, is that he doesn’t have a radio, and didn’t tell anyone he was going. But how can you not root for the kid?
Obviously, this book harks back to its namesake, The Old Man and the Sea, but what it reminded me of most was Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen, another book about a boy with a growth mindset, a boy who finds himself in an impossible situation, way beyond his apparent abilities, and says, “Well, here I am, and I don’t want to die. Let’s see what I can do.”
Skiff’s mom has died, and his dad, a fisherman on the coast of Maine, has fallen into a deep depression. He doesn’t get off the couch. Meanwhile, the family’s boat has sunk, at the dock. Skiff visits his neighbor Mr. Woodwell, a ninety-something year old boatbuilder. Mr. Woodwell tells him how to raise the boat using steel drums and ropes and a winch. Then Mr. Woodwell tells him how to remove the rotten boards and replace them with clean boards from his shop. Skiff does all this.
But there’s a problem. The engine repair will cost $5,000. Skiff needs cash. He thinks he can get it by trapping lobsters. He sets 200 traps. It’s physically demanding work, pulling up those heavy traps, but he ignores his aching muscles and continues. The money does start to trickle in. But there’s another problem. There’s a bully in town cutting Skiff’s lines, just out of meanness, which means there’s no way for Skiff to pull them up from the bottom.
Skiff confronts Tyler Croft, the bully. Tyler says it’s your word against mine. Skiff figures that he can’t win that fight, because Tyler is rich and his daddy can afford lawyers, while Skiff is just a poor swamper. What then? How can he get the money?
While he’s thinking about it, an out of towner pulls up at the dock with a bluefin tuna he caught. The fish is 410 pounds. He sells it for $6,560. That’s it, Skiff thinks. All I need is just one of those big fish. If I could catch just one, all our troubles would be over.
And then the adventure begins, an adventure that is one part grit and determination, and many more parts stupidity. The stupidest thing, after going in the first place, is that he doesn’t have a radio, and didn’t tell anyone he was going. But how can you not root for the kid?
Obviously, this book harks back to its namesake, The Old Man and the Sea, but what it reminded me of most was Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen, another book about a boy with a growth mindset, a boy who finds himself in an impossible situation, way beyond his apparent abilities, and says, “Well, here I am, and I don’t want to die. Let’s see what I can do.”
November 30, 2017
The Young Man and the Sea is a book by Rodman Philbrick. A giant fish dragging a boy in the water! This is just a taste of the action in Rodman Philbrick's book, the young man and the sea. This book will keep you off the edge of your seat every single page. What are you waiting for, read this book now!
The main characters in this book are Little Skiff, Mr. Woodell, and Big Skiff. The story is about a boy who lost his mother and it is up to him to save his family by catching the biggest fish in the sea.
The book takes place in Spinney Cove, Oregon. This book is realistic fiction because it tells a story about a boy and the Sea and all these events could happen, although they didn't.
Early on when Little Skiff was only a child his mother was very sick. He loved his mom and she was a big mentor towards him. One day she became very sick and passed away. This really hurt Little Skiff and his father. They both struggled a lot with her death. This is an example of internal conflict.
Little Skiff hates Tyler Croft. The Crofts are the richest family in town, and their son Tyler is a big problem to Little Skiff. Day after day Tyler goes on tormenting, and teasing Little Skiff. He even goes as far as Little Skiffs mother's death. Tyler is like a little fly that won't go away. Little Skiff has had enough with him. This is an example of external conflict.
The Young Man and the Sea is an awesome realistic fiction book. It keeps you off the edge of your seat and really highlights the characters problems and conflict in the story. Anyone who likes a great novel would enjoy this book. This book perfectly resembles someone going from nothing to something in a big way. The Young Man and the Sea is a perfect book for anyone.
The main characters in this book are Little Skiff, Mr. Woodell, and Big Skiff. The story is about a boy who lost his mother and it is up to him to save his family by catching the biggest fish in the sea.
The book takes place in Spinney Cove, Oregon. This book is realistic fiction because it tells a story about a boy and the Sea and all these events could happen, although they didn't.
Early on when Little Skiff was only a child his mother was very sick. He loved his mom and she was a big mentor towards him. One day she became very sick and passed away. This really hurt Little Skiff and his father. They both struggled a lot with her death. This is an example of internal conflict.
Little Skiff hates Tyler Croft. The Crofts are the richest family in town, and their son Tyler is a big problem to Little Skiff. Day after day Tyler goes on tormenting, and teasing Little Skiff. He even goes as far as Little Skiffs mother's death. Tyler is like a little fly that won't go away. Little Skiff has had enough with him. This is an example of external conflict.
The Young Man and the Sea is an awesome realistic fiction book. It keeps you off the edge of your seat and really highlights the characters problems and conflict in the story. Anyone who likes a great novel would enjoy this book. This book perfectly resembles someone going from nothing to something in a big way. The Young Man and the Sea is a perfect book for anyone.
October 5, 2020
We read this as part of a study of the state of Maine, and I thought it was overall a very enjoyable book.
Skiff Beaman has just lost his mom, and his dad is in the depths of despair, just lying on the couch all day drinking beer. Skiff is mostly left to his own devices and cooks and cleans most of the time. Their boat has sunk, and Skiff wants to get it fixed so he can go fishing, but it's going to cost $5000. So, industrious child that he is, Skiff hatches a plan to set all his father's lobster traps. Unfortunately, a horrible bully named Tyler cuts the line on his traps, making it impossible for Skiff to earn enough money that way. So he decides to go after a Bluefin Tuna, since getting only ONE of the gigantic fish should earn him enough money. That's when the fun begins, as Skiff sets out alone into the ocean to get one...
Not a bad book all in all. I like that it gives a glimpse into the life a child living in Maine. The plot ends up being very exciting, and challenging issues (death, alcoholism, bullying) are dealt with in a good way. I love the themes of "never give up" and "use your head" also.
Some of the things I didn't like about this book are the language and the slowness in getting going.
There isn't any actual cussing, but the language is very "improper/incorrect" (lots of "ain'ts" for example) which always bothers me a lot (like in the Junie B. Jones books) since part of the reason I read to my kids is to expose them to proper, beautiful language. The other thing that was hard about this book was that the first 1/3 is heavy on boat terminology. My kids and I know absolutely nothing about boats, so their eyes tended to glaze over a bit, and it took just a little too long to get to the main part of the story in my opinion.
Skiff Beaman has just lost his mom, and his dad is in the depths of despair, just lying on the couch all day drinking beer. Skiff is mostly left to his own devices and cooks and cleans most of the time. Their boat has sunk, and Skiff wants to get it fixed so he can go fishing, but it's going to cost $5000. So, industrious child that he is, Skiff hatches a plan to set all his father's lobster traps. Unfortunately, a horrible bully named Tyler cuts the line on his traps, making it impossible for Skiff to earn enough money that way. So he decides to go after a Bluefin Tuna, since getting only ONE of the gigantic fish should earn him enough money. That's when the fun begins, as Skiff sets out alone into the ocean to get one...
Not a bad book all in all. I like that it gives a glimpse into the life a child living in Maine. The plot ends up being very exciting, and challenging issues (death, alcoholism, bullying) are dealt with in a good way. I love the themes of "never give up" and "use your head" also.
Some of the things I didn't like about this book are the language and the slowness in getting going.
There isn't any actual cussing, but the language is very "improper/incorrect" (lots of "ain'ts" for example) which always bothers me a lot (like in the Junie B. Jones books) since part of the reason I read to my kids is to expose them to proper, beautiful language. The other thing that was hard about this book was that the first 1/3 is heavy on boat terminology. My kids and I know absolutely nothing about boats, so their eyes tended to glaze over a bit, and it took just a little too long to get to the main part of the story in my opinion.
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October 1, 2024The Young Man and the Sea
By: Rodman Philbrick
Reviewed by: Gabe Ruffing
This is a review of The Young Man and the Sea written by Rodman Philbrick. This book is about a poor 12 year old boy Samuel “Skiff” Beaman, whose mother has died and his father is depressed and drunk. When he came home from school for summer break, he found their boat was sunk at the dock. He got help from a family friend to raise the boat. Next the same family friend helped him patch the hole up in the boat. A diesel mechanic told him that he needed to fix the engine and other parts which would cost at least five thousand dollars. He tried to trap lobsters to make money, but found his lines cut by a rich kid. Then he decided to steal a harpoon from a family friend and try to catch a bluefin tuna to get the money needed for repairs. He nearly died from hunger and thirst, but he was rescued by his father. The bluefin tuna he caught was the largest taken by harpoon.
“Skiff” overcame many challenges with fixing his boat. His dad didn’t help him so he got help from other family friends. When catching the bluefin tuna, he battled fog, cold, hunger, thirst and even falling overboard. He also had to row nearly 25 miles to shore when his boat ran out of gas before he was rescued.
I give this book a 4 star rating because it was very interesting how he had to manage adult things on his own. I don’t know much about boats so some words were hard to understand. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys reading about adversity, fishing and boating.
By: Rodman Philbrick
Reviewed by: Gabe Ruffing
This is a review of The Young Man and the Sea written by Rodman Philbrick. This book is about a poor 12 year old boy Samuel “Skiff” Beaman, whose mother has died and his father is depressed and drunk. When he came home from school for summer break, he found their boat was sunk at the dock. He got help from a family friend to raise the boat. Next the same family friend helped him patch the hole up in the boat. A diesel mechanic told him that he needed to fix the engine and other parts which would cost at least five thousand dollars. He tried to trap lobsters to make money, but found his lines cut by a rich kid. Then he decided to steal a harpoon from a family friend and try to catch a bluefin tuna to get the money needed for repairs. He nearly died from hunger and thirst, but he was rescued by his father. The bluefin tuna he caught was the largest taken by harpoon.
“Skiff” overcame many challenges with fixing his boat. His dad didn’t help him so he got help from other family friends. When catching the bluefin tuna, he battled fog, cold, hunger, thirst and even falling overboard. He also had to row nearly 25 miles to shore when his boat ran out of gas before he was rescued.
I give this book a 4 star rating because it was very interesting how he had to manage adult things on his own. I don’t know much about boats so some words were hard to understand. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys reading about adversity, fishing and boating.
November 16, 2020
The book “The Young Man and the Sea” by Rodman Philbrick, which is a fictional book, is about a twelve year old boy whose mom is dead, his dad, a lazy drunk, and himself is poor and bullied by a rich kid named Tyler Croft, trying to survive and provide for him and his dad, his dad use to be a one of the best fisherman in town but when his wife died he went into deep depression. Their boat “The Mary Rose” has sunk and little skiff has to repair it, and everything is going well until he needs to replace the engine which would cost a least 5,000$. Then, he starts to bait and drop lobster traps in the cove and tries to make money for a new engine. I would give this book 4 stars, Because I love fishing, and this is a great and intense story because everything seems horrible, but it could end up going great for the main character and suspense in books is one of the main reasons I choose specific books. It’s not a 5 star because it just talks about a three-month period and nothing else, so while I love it, it just has very specific details about a sort time period. I liked the book because in this specific one not many people like or care about the protagonist, so sometimes reading or watching people do stuff all on their own and succeed is inspirational. I would recommend this to anyone who likes fishing and people who like books where there is one goal of the protagonist and through the hole book, they try to complete it and it could go either way.
October 24, 2020
This is a very exciting book for young readers. Skiffy, a determined 12 year old, is trying to take care of his grieving father after his wife, Skiffy’s mom, dies. Their boat has sunk by the dock. With the help of Mr. Woodwell, a 94 year old role model and former boat maker, Skiffy is able to take his directions, get the boat lifted out of the water, and repair the part of the boat that had the leak. Unfortunately, the engine needs to be repaired, probably costing $5000 or more. Skiffy decides he can raise the money by setting lobster traps. But a bully, Tyler Croft, steals Skiffy’s lobsters and cuts the bait out of the traps. There’s nothing Skiffy can do to prove Tyler did this. Soon, a new idea comes up...if Skiffy can catch a blue fin tuna, he can get the money he needs all at once! But it won’t be easy. That doesn’t stop Skiffy going on his little boat, thirty miles from shore, and using Mr. Woodwell’s harpoon to catch the biggest blue fin tuna ever. Skiffy experiences the ride of his life not only when he first hits the tuna with the harpoon, but when he has to row back to shore in fog and out of gas. Luck is on his side when he is rescued by his father. This adventure’s memory will last a lifetime, and was a big step in getting his father back to life with his son too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2023
Adult rating: 4
Kid rating: 3
This is my 6th Rodman Philbrick book. I love his writing. He has such a refreshing command of language. Sometimes I go for weeks reading mediocre book after mediocre book. Thankfully, I know I can return to a Philbrick book to have my faith in good writing restored.
Skiff is the young man in this story. He's the kind of kid that just can't be knocked down. Unlike his dad who can't manage to get off the couch and quit drinking beer since his mom died, Skiff gets the job done. So when his dad's fishing boat sinks at the dock, Skiff is the one to rig up a system to pull it out. And when he gets the bad news that fixing the engine is going to cost $5000, he figures hard work and a couple hundred lobsters is all he needs. That would be true if it weren't for the bully who cuts the buoy lines on all his traps. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, Skiff sets his sights on a new plan. One that requires him to travel 30 miles from shore in his small skiff to harpoon a monster tuna. All by himself.
This isn't a book kids will choose on their own, which is too bad. The plus side is that it's less that 200 pages. I'd suggest paying kids to read it if you have to. Whatever it takes.
Kid rating: 3
This is my 6th Rodman Philbrick book. I love his writing. He has such a refreshing command of language. Sometimes I go for weeks reading mediocre book after mediocre book. Thankfully, I know I can return to a Philbrick book to have my faith in good writing restored.
Skiff is the young man in this story. He's the kind of kid that just can't be knocked down. Unlike his dad who can't manage to get off the couch and quit drinking beer since his mom died, Skiff gets the job done. So when his dad's fishing boat sinks at the dock, Skiff is the one to rig up a system to pull it out. And when he gets the bad news that fixing the engine is going to cost $5000, he figures hard work and a couple hundred lobsters is all he needs. That would be true if it weren't for the bully who cuts the buoy lines on all his traps. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, Skiff sets his sights on a new plan. One that requires him to travel 30 miles from shore in his small skiff to harpoon a monster tuna. All by himself.
This isn't a book kids will choose on their own, which is too bad. The plus side is that it's less that 200 pages. I'd suggest paying kids to read it if you have to. Whatever it takes.
June 14, 2019
A twelve-year-old Skiff Beaman takes on the worries of an adult after his mother died and his father turns to alcohol in the aftermath. Fishing is all he knows...so, in order to bring in income, Skiff sets out lobster traps, hoping to catch enough to pay the bills. But, bully Tyler Croft has other ideas when he destroys all the traps set out by Skiff.
That’s when Skiff hears about the astronomical price paid for Bluefin Tuna. Knowing his dad was once the best tuna fisherman, he recalls stories and experiences his dad had and sets out to catch a big one. With the help of a few townspeople, Skiff gathers the supplies he needs. Yet, he doesn’t account for all the trials and tribulations and finds himself struggling to survive. Will someone come to his rescue? Or is it up to him?
The Young Man and the Sea is full of adventure, suspense, and determination. Might be a great read-aloud for the right audience.
That’s when Skiff hears about the astronomical price paid for Bluefin Tuna. Knowing his dad was once the best tuna fisherman, he recalls stories and experiences his dad had and sets out to catch a big one. With the help of a few townspeople, Skiff gathers the supplies he needs. Yet, he doesn’t account for all the trials and tribulations and finds himself struggling to survive. Will someone come to his rescue? Or is it up to him?
The Young Man and the Sea is full of adventure, suspense, and determination. Might be a great read-aloud for the right audience.
October 18, 2017
The young man and the sea by Rodman Philbrickis a realistic fiction book. ”Before I tell you about the biggest fish in the sea” the main character is Skiff. He had a boat in his backyard and his want to fix it and take it out to sea. And he convinces his dad to stop drinking and go fishing.Internal Conflict: Character vs his bully
Explain: this affects his problems because he tried to raise money to fix his dad's boat but his bully destroys his crab trap External. Conflict: Character vs. his dad because his dad drinks a lot of beer and just watches tv and does nothing but tv and beer this affects Skiff because he has no one to look up to except his dad since his mom is dead. I like the book because it has a lot of action. And the ending is really good. I think people that would like this book would have to like action packed books. And any age
Explain: this affects his problems because he tried to raise money to fix his dad's boat but his bully destroys his crab trap External. Conflict: Character vs. his dad because his dad drinks a lot of beer and just watches tv and does nothing but tv and beer this affects Skiff because he has no one to look up to except his dad since his mom is dead. I like the book because it has a lot of action. And the ending is really good. I think people that would like this book would have to like action packed books. And any age
March 30, 2021
One caveat- there's a Japanese character who only has a couple lines of dialogue, but, they're heavily accented English. So.. I don't know, it didn't strike me as too horrible, but, still stood out.
This was otherwise a cool book, really made me wish I'd already read Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea. Been meaning to get to that one forever. Philbrick has another book that you will enjoy a lot more if you've recently read Huckleberry Finn. I need to poke through his book list and see if he's done any others like this, because I do enjoy them.
Good for people who've enjoyed Hatchet and other similar adventure tales. It's a bit dark for a children's book. It deals a bit with loss and a bit with grief, depression and alcoholism, but, not too in depth. It might be something you'd want to discuss with a kid before they read the book.
Lively read, you don't get bogged down in it.
This was otherwise a cool book, really made me wish I'd already read Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea. Been meaning to get to that one forever. Philbrick has another book that you will enjoy a lot more if you've recently read Huckleberry Finn. I need to poke through his book list and see if he's done any others like this, because I do enjoy them.
Good for people who've enjoyed Hatchet and other similar adventure tales. It's a bit dark for a children's book. It deals a bit with loss and a bit with grief, depression and alcoholism, but, not too in depth. It might be something you'd want to discuss with a kid before they read the book.
Lively read, you don't get bogged down in it.
May 2, 2022
This book struck me as illustrative of the big transition middle grade and YA literature went through approximately twenty years. The book is new enough that the protagonist is experiencing the sort of problems common in contemporary fiction (his dad is mired in depression and alcoholism; he is being bullied).
However, the book is also old enough that the boy’s big dream is rather old-fashioned and masculine. Instead of realizing that he can’t save his dad, this protagonist faces off against nature and triumphs. By doing so he becomes a man who is respected by other men–including his dad.
The author’s experience with fishing and water helps the setting ring true, and I enjoyed the reference to Hemingway. It’s one I’ll keep on my shelf for my kids to pick up if they’re interested.
However, the book is also old enough that the boy’s big dream is rather old-fashioned and masculine. Instead of realizing that he can’t save his dad, this protagonist faces off against nature and triumphs. By doing so he becomes a man who is respected by other men–including his dad.
The author’s experience with fishing and water helps the setting ring true, and I enjoyed the reference to Hemingway. It’s one I’ll keep on my shelf for my kids to pick up if they’re interested.
May 18, 2017
This book was amazing I love it everything about it was good. Plot was really good Sam thing with the story the story is about a boy skiffy. His mom died a couple of years ago and his Dad is a drunk and he has been baling water out of his father boat but one day it go,s under and ones a vote go,s under it is had to bring it out of the water so he need to find a way to bring the boat up and to fix it.
I would recommend this book to everyone especially kids, kids would love this book it never slows down it is all ways going it was interesting all throughout the book. Adult would love the story line once again it never slowed dow. Adult would love the plot the setting. If you haven't red this book you need to.
I would recommend this book to everyone especially kids, kids would love this book it never slows down it is all ways going it was interesting all throughout the book. Adult would love the story line once again it never slowed dow. Adult would love the plot the setting. If you haven't red this book you need to.
September 27, 2024
The Young Man And The Sea by ROBMAN PHILBRICK .This book is about a boy who lost his mom and his dad sits on the couch all day. Samuels boat sunk and when he pulled it out his boats engine needs new parts.He decides to go to spear a tuna to make the 5,000 cost to fix it.He spear a tuna and it drags him into the water he gets dragged under the water and he wakes up and sees his boat and goes home with the tuna. It was interesting when he fell into the water and was drowning when the tuna was pulling him into the water.I give the book a 4 star ratting because it was interesting when he speared the tuna and it took of and he got pulled under the water. I would recommend this book to people who like to get pulled into the books theme.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2022
I read this book because my current student read it over the summer & recommended it! :) The story is excellent for kids because the author beautifully shows the reader how the young male protagonist deals with several issues that life has piled on him in an easy to understand language. I personally felt like the boy was talking to me. I was rooting for him the entire way. And absolutely LOVED the goals his mother instilled in him. This story is truly inspirational and honestly, I am insisting my young adult son to read it because he enjoys fishing and has grit like the kid! Thank you, Rodman Philbrick for writing another winner!
January 30, 2025
I read this on the recommendation of my son-in-law. It was his favorite book as a child, which comes as no surprise really as he loves everything boats, fishing and the sea.
And it was charming. I found myself a bit on the edge of my seat waiting to see who was going to come out on top, the boy or the fish. 🐟 (It is obviously styled after The Old Man & the Sea, but since I don’t care for Hemingway I enjoyed this more.)
This was the first read on my list of recommendations for this year-and the inspiration for asking the rest of my people for their suggestions! So thanks for the loan, Chase. I loved it.
And it was charming. I found myself a bit on the edge of my seat waiting to see who was going to come out on top, the boy or the fish. 🐟 (It is obviously styled after The Old Man & the Sea, but since I don’t care for Hemingway I enjoyed this more.)
This was the first read on my list of recommendations for this year-and the inspiration for asking the rest of my people for their suggestions! So thanks for the loan, Chase. I loved it.
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