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Book Summary

Reviewed byMatt Berman
Sophie is excited to be sailing a 45-foot twin-masted schooner across the Atlantic to see her grandfather, Bompie, in England. Sailing with her are three uncles and two cousins. Uncle Dock is pursuing a lost love, Uncle Stew and his son Brian are obsessively organized and bossy, and Uncle Mo likes to criticize his son Cody, who enjoys driving him crazy in return.

In the first third of the book this motley crew works on getting the rather decrepit old boat ready for the voyage, and then making a shakedown cruise from Connecticut to Nova Scotia, with stops along the way. Then they head out into the open sea, where they encounter whales, dolphins, and a huge storm that nearly wrecks the boat.

Is It Any Good?

4
Lyrically told in alternating journal entries by Sophie and Cody, this exciting sailing adventure is merely the roiling surface of the sea of their lives. Underneath is the story of Bompie's life, revealed in a series of stories that Sophie tells the crew, and Sophie's life, which is not the way she portrays it in her journal. Through hints and snippets in Cody's journal, the reader gradually comes to understand the reality of her past, from which Sophie is hiding.

All of these stylistic techniques will make this especially fascinating to some experienced readers while it will confuse others. Children who are fascinated by sailing will also be drawn in, and those who have the patience to wait for the gradual unfolding of the truth will be intrigued. The Wanderer has become a favorite choice for reading groups and literature circles because of its complexity, but for that same reason it should not be forced on kids who are not ready for it.

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