Common Sense Media Review
By Common Sense Media
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Exciting shipwreck adventure has anti-racism message.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 6 parent reviews
Based on 81 kid reviews
Kids say this book presents a powerful message about overcoming racism and personal growth through the relationship between a blind boy and a black man who helps him survive on a deserted island. While some readers find the portrayal of racist attitudes uncomfortable, many appreciate the depth of character development and the emotional journey, and overall, it is seen as an impactful story that teaches valuable lessons about compassion and perseverance.
- powerful message
- character development
- emotional journey
- racism portrayal
- survival themes
- personal growth
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
THE CAY takes place on the Dutch island of Curacao during World War II. A young American boy, Phillip Enright, lives on the island with his parents, and he at first seems to imagine the war like a game. However, his mother is afraid for their safety and decides to take Phillip back to the United States, though Phillip's father believes the journey will not be safe. The ship that takes Phillip and his mother from the island is, in fact, torpedoed, and Phillip is separated from his mother. He finds himself stranded with a Black man named Timothy, who cares for Phillip and teaches him lessons in survival and resilience. The pair end up on a small cay (or key) on an unpopulated island, where they erect a shelter and catch fish to eat. As the two come to depend on each other to survive, racist ideas that Phillip inherited from his mother are challenged, and the two castaways -- now friends -- divide their efforts between sustaining themselves and trying to signal to any overhead aircraft that they need to be rescued.
Is It Any Good?
The emotional impact of this story comes from the carefully developed relationship between Timothy and Phillip, and the experiences that prompt Phillip to unlearn the racism he was taught. Timothy patiently teaches Philip, and the reader, by example, and Phillip is transformed physically and intellectually. The Cay is the best kind of survival novel, with a protagonist who triumphs over seemingly impossible and thrilling challenges, and emerges changed for the better.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Phillip's friendship with Timothy in The Cay. How does Phillip view Timothy at first? How does their relationship change?
How do Phillip's ideas about war change from the beginning of the story?
Have you read other stories about sea adventures or shipwrecks, such as Robinson Crusoe or Treasure Island? How does The Cay compare to those stories?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Adventure
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship , History
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Puffin
- Publication date : November 17, 1987
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 14
- Number of pages : 137
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate