Parents' Guide to

The Cay

By Common Sense Media, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Exciting shipwreck adventure has anti-racism message.

The Cay Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

age 13+

Based on 7 parent reviews

age 18+

rude about blacks

i dont like it as a black mother for them to say things like they say.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much swearing
age 18+

Racist and insulting

I dont really care what this book has at the end but reading the 1st few pages as a black mother I find it insulting. My son came back from school in tears after book been read in class and his friends called him Timothy because he is black and dark skinned. It referes to timony as Negro, stupid, smelly. I think at this time and age this book is not the right way to ebd racism, it instead encourages it.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (7 ):
Kids say (81 ):

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.

Book Details

  • Author: Theodore Taylor
  • 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, iBooks, Kindle
  • Last updated: January 19, 2021

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