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Edge of Nowhere
An astonishing tale of survival in Alaska, this poignant Robinson Crusoe story is based on true events A year after his mother dies, 16-year old Seth and his dog, Tucker, are washed overboard from his father's fishing boat during a torrential storm, and are assumed drowned. But by good fortune, Seth and Tucker make it safely to one of the hundreds of islands that line the Alaskan coast. Over many months, the two castaways endure hardships to survive off the land and the sea as they make their way, island by island, toward home. More than an adventure novel, this is a story about reconciliation, about heritage, and about struggling to deal with grief.
194 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2010
51 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
About the author
John E. Smelcer
32 books33 followersJohn E. Smelcer is the poetry editor of Rosebud magazine and the author of more than forty books. He is an Alaskan Native of the Ahtna tribe, and is now the last tribal member who reads and writes in Ahtna.
His forthcoming novel, LONE WOLVES is being partially funded via an Indiegogo campaign. Check out this video and the unusual gifts offered. Among them, you can choose an autographed, numbered, limited-edition print of an award-winning poem by the author, with original artwork; you can have your name used for a character in the author's next book. http://igg.me/at/Leapfrog-Press/x/399...
Smelcer's first novel, The Trap, was an American Library Association BBYA Top Ten Pick, a VOYA Top Shelf Selection, and a New York Public Library Notable Book. The Great Death was short-listed for the 2011 William Allen White Award, and nominated for the National Book Award, the BookTrust Prize (England), and the American Library Association's Award for American Indian YA Literature. His Alaska Native mythology books include The Raven and the Totem (introduced by Joseph Campbell). His short stories, poems, essays, and interviews have appeared in hundreds of magazines, and he is winner of the 2004 Milt Kessler Poetry Book Award and of the 2004 Western Writers of America Award for Poetry for his collection Without Reservation, which was nominated for a Pulitzer. John divides his time between a cabin in Talkeetna, the climbing capitol of Alaska, where he wrote much of Lone Wolves, and Kirksville Mo., where he is a visiting scholar in the Department of Communications Studies at Truman State University.
Smelcer is a prolific writer and poet whose many works focus primarily on subjects related to his Native American heritage. An Ahtna Athabaskan Indian, he also serves as executive director of the Ahtna tribe's Heritage Foundation. He is, noted a biographer on the Center for the Art of Translation Web site, the only surviving reader, speaker, and writer of the native Ahtna language. John holds degrees in anthropology and archaeology, linguistics, literature, and education. He also holds a PhD in English and creative writing from Binghamton University, and formerly chaired the Alaska Native Studies program at the University of Alaska Anchorage.
In the Shadows of Mountains: Ahtna Stories from the Copper River contains a collection of twenty-four stories from the Ahtna tribe. The stories consist of material by Ahtna elders and other tales told to Smelcer by his Ahtna relatives. These largely mythical stories "explore the processes that formed this world and created people, animals, places, and the distinctive interactions" between humans and nonhumans in legendary times, noted James Ruppert in MELUS. The tales range from stories common throughout Alaska, such as "The Blind Man and the Lion," to distinctly Ahtna stories specific to individual families and clans, such as "When They Killed the Monkey People." Ruppert concluded that Smelcer's book "has some value as a broad introduction to Ahtna narrative aimed at a general reader."
The Trap, Smelcer's first novel, is an "unforgettable survival tale, with both a life and a culture in the balance," commented Vicky Smith in Horn Book Magazine. Septuagenarian Albert Least-Weasel still clings to the old ways he has known all his life. While checking his traplines one cold winter day, Albert gets caught in one of his own wolf traps. Unable to reach his store of supplies, Albert faces certain death by exposure, dehydration, or animal attack, unless he can free himself or is rescued. At home, Albert's seventeen-year-old grandson Johnny becomes increasingly worried about his grandfather's welfare. Despite his best efforts, he is unable to generate much concern for the old man from his uncles, and cultural pride and the unwillingness to disrespect his elders prevents him from setting out on a search until his grandmother asks him to find her husband. By then, however,
His forthcoming novel, LONE WOLVES is being partially funded via an Indiegogo campaign. Check out this video and the unusual gifts offered. Among them, you can choose an autographed, numbered, limited-edition print of an award-winning poem by the author, with original artwork; you can have your name used for a character in the author's next book. http://igg.me/at/Leapfrog-Press/x/399...
Smelcer's first novel, The Trap, was an American Library Association BBYA Top Ten Pick, a VOYA Top Shelf Selection, and a New York Public Library Notable Book. The Great Death was short-listed for the 2011 William Allen White Award, and nominated for the National Book Award, the BookTrust Prize (England), and the American Library Association's Award for American Indian YA Literature. His Alaska Native mythology books include The Raven and the Totem (introduced by Joseph Campbell). His short stories, poems, essays, and interviews have appeared in hundreds of magazines, and he is winner of the 2004 Milt Kessler Poetry Book Award and of the 2004 Western Writers of America Award for Poetry for his collection Without Reservation, which was nominated for a Pulitzer. John divides his time between a cabin in Talkeetna, the climbing capitol of Alaska, where he wrote much of Lone Wolves, and Kirksville Mo., where he is a visiting scholar in the Department of Communications Studies at Truman State University.
Smelcer is a prolific writer and poet whose many works focus primarily on subjects related to his Native American heritage. An Ahtna Athabaskan Indian, he also serves as executive director of the Ahtna tribe's Heritage Foundation. He is, noted a biographer on the Center for the Art of Translation Web site, the only surviving reader, speaker, and writer of the native Ahtna language. John holds degrees in anthropology and archaeology, linguistics, literature, and education. He also holds a PhD in English and creative writing from Binghamton University, and formerly chaired the Alaska Native Studies program at the University of Alaska Anchorage.
In the Shadows of Mountains: Ahtna Stories from the Copper River contains a collection of twenty-four stories from the Ahtna tribe. The stories consist of material by Ahtna elders and other tales told to Smelcer by his Ahtna relatives. These largely mythical stories "explore the processes that formed this world and created people, animals, places, and the distinctive interactions" between humans and nonhumans in legendary times, noted James Ruppert in MELUS. The tales range from stories common throughout Alaska, such as "The Blind Man and the Lion," to distinctly Ahtna stories specific to individual families and clans, such as "When They Killed the Monkey People." Ruppert concluded that Smelcer's book "has some value as a broad introduction to Ahtna narrative aimed at a general reader."
The Trap, Smelcer's first novel, is an "unforgettable survival tale, with both a life and a culture in the balance," commented Vicky Smith in Horn Book Magazine. Septuagenarian Albert Least-Weasel still clings to the old ways he has known all his life. While checking his traplines one cold winter day, Albert gets caught in one of his own wolf traps. Unable to reach his store of supplies, Albert faces certain death by exposure, dehydration, or animal attack, unless he can free himself or is rescued. At home, Albert's seventeen-year-old grandson Johnny becomes increasingly worried about his grandfather's welfare. Despite his best efforts, he is unable to generate much concern for the old man from his uncles, and cultural pride and the unwillingness to disrespect his elders prevents him from setting out on a search until his grandmother asks him to find her husband. By then, however,
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
February 27, 2015
I highly recommend this slim novel which both fits comfortably in the "stranded" and "lost at sea" genre AND blows it away. Compare to "The Cay" , "Hatchet" or "The Life of Pi". The voice here is authentic and rare. The context of a nearly lost Alaskan Native Peoples, their stories and language and the lyrical prose of the writing set this apart from other "coming of age" novels. The length will grab more reluctant readers and the back matter is valuable for teachers. Recommended for grades 6-9 and readers who enjoy struggles against/with nature and survival stories.
November 6, 2020
Edge of Nowhere is a well written book which details the incredible journey of a boy and his dog. They both get thrown overboard from a fishing boat off the coast of Alaska and have to navigate the many islands which dominate the coastline. It is a tale of survival and shows how the journey changed the boy for the better.
The writing style is very descriptive and I got through the book quickly. I would have liked a little more closure at the end. I felt the book ended quite abruptly. Other that a good read.
The writing style is very descriptive and I got through the book quickly. I would have liked a little more closure at the end. I felt the book ended quite abruptly. Other that a good read.
July 3, 2018
This book is a combination between Hatchet and The Odyssey, but much easier. Seth's survival was easier in the sense that what he needed to live was right in front of him, and there was not any violence or a direct threat. T I was looking for the extra suspense, the action and the intensiveness coming from surviving. I just wanted more. The concept is there, the plot is there, the journey is there, but the extra step is not. I really just needed more emotion, stress, desperation, and obstacles. There is so much room to expand. I held such high hopes for this book, but sadly they did not live up to the book's potential. Read more of my review at http://pagesforthoughts.blogspot.com/...
September 27, 2019
A book like this would have kicked started my love for reading as a YA. True story on both counts. Short, compact and completed within 24hrs, hoping to convince my 13yr old daughter to read. Amazed that this teenager and his beloved dog survived the ordeal. Recommended to all.
October 23, 2019
I read this book to be able to talk about a book with my son. He's 15 and not much of a reader. It was the first book by this author that I have read, and I enjoyed the book.
I enjoyed the viewpoint of a 16-year-old native Alaskan. The bit of squirrel story at the beginning of each chapter was very unusual, but it fit the cultural myth category. I like how Seth came to appreciate his family and culture as he found his way home and healed from losing his mother. It's a story of determination and will to survive. I love that Seth had a dog, too!
Kids who don't naturally love to read will enjoy this book because it is full of adventure, a bit of a coming of age story, and it's short. It's easy to read. It also has a happy ending, and that's always a good thing.
I enjoyed the viewpoint of a 16-year-old native Alaskan. The bit of squirrel story at the beginning of each chapter was very unusual, but it fit the cultural myth category. I like how Seth came to appreciate his family and culture as he found his way home and healed from losing his mother. It's a story of determination and will to survive. I love that Seth had a dog, too!
Kids who don't naturally love to read will enjoy this book because it is full of adventure, a bit of a coming of age story, and it's short. It's easy to read. It also has a happy ending, and that's always a good thing.
April 26, 2014
I read a galley of this book and thought it was a good adventure novel. The Alaska setting was interesting (I've never been) and the mythology/folklore included added to the sense of place. My copy was under YA, but honestly, this was more children's/middle school literature. It had a very simple plot and was a quick read. I appreciated that it was a very clean read-no sex, no swearing, no violence other than that found in nature.
March 22, 2020
I loved the setting being PWS in AK and the reference to Alutiiq culture and Aleut internment that is always forgotten. Lots of adventure, a lot pretty unbelievable, and an abrupt ending, but it was fun being back in coastal AK.
October 19, 2015
I think the book is really good . It has a lot of turning points and it don't have just one climax, it has multiple ones.
March 1, 2019
I love how this book had so many elements to it. There were parts that made me think, parts that kept me on edge, and parts that held emotion. There was also some learning in it in the form of language and history about Alaska, which I thought was kinda cool as well. Overall an amazing book. My only wish was that it was a little longer and it gave me some more to read.
September 18, 2017
Seth and his dog are swept off his father's boat in the middle of a storm and has to survive in the wilderness hoping he will be found quickly. When the days drag on into weeks he fears they may never be found.
January 22, 2023
A survival/action/adventure about Seth, who survives four months with his dog Tucker as castaways in Alaska. That's a superficial summary of the whole book. It was more of a record of fictional events than a complex story in my eyes. But I can see somebody really enjoying it if they like reads that are not very layered.
December 23, 2024
I don't even know where I got this book but it is a short story about an Aboriginal father and his son after the Mom died. The father is a fisherman and the story is compared to Robinson Crusoe. Great story.
March 13, 2025
I only read this because I was into a girl at the time and she recommended it to me. I read it... I couldn't bring myself to tell her that I did not like it. It's just kind of boring, the only thing that kept me there was the fact that the story does move quickly and it's a short book.
February 15, 2018
it was a very nice and mellow book.
August 17, 2018
It was a strong story. But I got a little bored. I love the message behind it though.
September 17, 2019
Great storyline.
March 31, 2021
Seth and his dog, Lucky fall off his father's fishing boat during a storm in Prince William Sound. Great tale of survival!
September 24, 2023
Ending felt very abrupt. Still a great story, I enjoyed it very much.
March 17, 2016
Edge of Nowhere was a very good book. It’s a book based off of true events, where a kid and his dog get swept into sea, eventually floating up to an island. I think that the theme of the book is that things are a lot harder than they seem. Throughout the book Seth (the main character) crosses island after island, learning the actual difficulties of surviving in the wild, especially after his father told him that it’s harder than it looks, and Seth, just like every other teen, didn’t listen.
The main idea of the book is that people claim some things are very easy, when they either have never done it before, or have and can back their claim, and some things are easier said than done. I feel like the book (which was based off of a true story) gave a very valid point when it comes to the saying “easier said than done,” because it goes into full detail of surviving in the wild, especially the dangerous wilds of Alaska.
The character, Seth, is an unathletic, unhealthy 16 year old who sits at home playing video games and eating junk food all of the time. He’s the main character and his role is learning about the real world and how it’s more difficult than how he perceived it. He’s intelligent, and even though he knows how to do things in the wild, he still has trouble surviving, because it’s more of the in the moment thing than the thing itself. He’s caring, because a part in the book, when he first finds a pear tree, there were only a few good pears, and instead of eating them all for himself, he gives half to his dog Lucky, who appreciated it very well. “Lucky scarfs down the three pears Seth had given him, and showed more love than Seth had ever seen come out of the old dog.” ←quote from the book. Seth is also scared. The book gave a very good sense of fear inside Seth, because who wouldn’t fear being out in the rough wilderness of Alaska? I think Seth got it off easy though because he had his dog as his companion for the whole time.
I loved the book. Not only was it interesting, but it was also very intense, because being stuck out in the wild is as intense as it already sounds. If I were in Seth’s shoes, I honestly think I could’ve handled it as good as him. I mean, I can’t really say that because I’ve never been stranded out in the wild before, but I don’t think it would be as bad as people makes it seem.
You get pretty tense reading it, and you want to read it more and more and more and more until eventually you finish it. I suggest this book to any person who loves to read out there because it expresses good exploration and adventure
The main idea of the book is that people claim some things are very easy, when they either have never done it before, or have and can back their claim, and some things are easier said than done. I feel like the book (which was based off of a true story) gave a very valid point when it comes to the saying “easier said than done,” because it goes into full detail of surviving in the wild, especially the dangerous wilds of Alaska.
The character, Seth, is an unathletic, unhealthy 16 year old who sits at home playing video games and eating junk food all of the time. He’s the main character and his role is learning about the real world and how it’s more difficult than how he perceived it. He’s intelligent, and even though he knows how to do things in the wild, he still has trouble surviving, because it’s more of the in the moment thing than the thing itself. He’s caring, because a part in the book, when he first finds a pear tree, there were only a few good pears, and instead of eating them all for himself, he gives half to his dog Lucky, who appreciated it very well. “Lucky scarfs down the three pears Seth had given him, and showed more love than Seth had ever seen come out of the old dog.” ←quote from the book. Seth is also scared. The book gave a very good sense of fear inside Seth, because who wouldn’t fear being out in the rough wilderness of Alaska? I think Seth got it off easy though because he had his dog as his companion for the whole time.
I loved the book. Not only was it interesting, but it was also very intense, because being stuck out in the wild is as intense as it already sounds. If I were in Seth’s shoes, I honestly think I could’ve handled it as good as him. I mean, I can’t really say that because I’ve never been stranded out in the wild before, but I don’t think it would be as bad as people makes it seem.
You get pretty tense reading it, and you want to read it more and more and more and more until eventually you finish it. I suggest this book to any person who loves to read out there because it expresses good exploration and adventure
August 29, 2014
Review also posted at my blog, BB Reads.
Shelved as a young adult book, this book definitely sits more in the pre-teen age range, perhaps appropriate for 4th-8th grades. I often heard this book compared to Robinson Crusoe, with the author drawing that parallel himself in the first few chapters. In reality, I see more of a similarity to Gary Paulsen's Hatchet or Scott O'Dell's Island of the Blue Dolphins, or even Jack London's White Fang.
At its core, this book is an adventure story of survival and unexpected events in the wilderness. We follow Seth Evanoff and his dog, Tucker, as they maneuver down the Alaskan coast after they were tossed overboard of their dad's salmon boat and rescuers having discovered his hat in the water and presumed him dead. Interwoven in the survival tale is the rich history of Alaska and her native peoples. There is a fable told in parts at the beginning of each chapter, and a sub-plot is Seth's reconnection with his native roots by his rediscovery of vocabulary from the Alutiiq language as he travels. Cameos are also made by archaeological finds from World War II, remnants from the Exxon Valdez spill, and how the land is shaped by glacial movements.
It's clear that Smelcer, with his many degrees in anthropology, linguistics, and archaeology (among others), possesses a strong knowledge base on which to craft this story. What is less clear to me is whether this story contains the depth necessary for us to be emotionally invested in Seth and Tucker's survival and Seth's estranged relationship with his father. Because the novel did such a good job intropducing us to the variety of history that has shaped Alaskan culture, I still enjoyed it, but at times, this book jumped from topic to topic the same way that Seth might hop from island to island in his effort to come home; erratically and without knowing exactly where it was going. Still, despite its drawbacks, this novel holds a place in a genre of adventure, especially for high elementary and middle school children. It works well as a read-aloud book for family story time and has some great enrichment and discussion topics in the back to further the topics of wilderness survival and interpersonal relationships.
Shelved as a young adult book, this book definitely sits more in the pre-teen age range, perhaps appropriate for 4th-8th grades. I often heard this book compared to Robinson Crusoe, with the author drawing that parallel himself in the first few chapters. In reality, I see more of a similarity to Gary Paulsen's Hatchet or Scott O'Dell's Island of the Blue Dolphins, or even Jack London's White Fang.
At its core, this book is an adventure story of survival and unexpected events in the wilderness. We follow Seth Evanoff and his dog, Tucker, as they maneuver down the Alaskan coast after they were tossed overboard of their dad's salmon boat and rescuers having discovered his hat in the water and presumed him dead. Interwoven in the survival tale is the rich history of Alaska and her native peoples. There is a fable told in parts at the beginning of each chapter, and a sub-plot is Seth's reconnection with his native roots by his rediscovery of vocabulary from the Alutiiq language as he travels. Cameos are also made by archaeological finds from World War II, remnants from the Exxon Valdez spill, and how the land is shaped by glacial movements.
It's clear that Smelcer, with his many degrees in anthropology, linguistics, and archaeology (among others), possesses a strong knowledge base on which to craft this story. What is less clear to me is whether this story contains the depth necessary for us to be emotionally invested in Seth and Tucker's survival and Seth's estranged relationship with his father. Because the novel did such a good job intropducing us to the variety of history that has shaped Alaskan culture, I still enjoyed it, but at times, this book jumped from topic to topic the same way that Seth might hop from island to island in his effort to come home; erratically and without knowing exactly where it was going. Still, despite its drawbacks, this novel holds a place in a genre of adventure, especially for high elementary and middle school children. It works well as a read-aloud book for family story time and has some great enrichment and discussion topics in the back to further the topics of wilderness survival and interpersonal relationships.
March 13, 2014
“Alaska, a place where nearly all emergencies are a matter of life or death, where time is always in control of survival, and where, someday, it may be you that needs help.”
- John Smelcer, Edge of Nowhere
Smelcer’s latest YA novel, Edge of Nowhere, is a riveting, picturesque, trial to triumph tale. Set amongst a backdrop of cloud-enshrouded mountains, tumultuous sea and breathtaking forestry, Smelcer encapsulates the Alaskan territory with the sheer authenticity only a Native could deliver.
The characters are well-drawn and accessible, and it is obvious, early on, that the Edge of Nowhere’s main character, 16 year old, Seth Evanoff, is the quintessential, Huck Finn-ish hero. He is your son, your brother, your student, your friend. He is the guy you root for against all odds. And the odds are most certainly stacked against him.
After being swept from the deck of his father’s boat, one night, by a gigantic wave, both boy and dog begin their grueling battle for survival. From the choppy, frigid waters, to the rugged, sweltering island terrain, to their run-ins with bears, whales, and even a cave of human remains, Evanoff stays strong for himself, as well as his dog, Tucker, and resolves to do whatever necessary to survive, including succumbing to an unsavory diet of raw salmon, mussels and sea slugs.
Smelcer’s interweaving of Native Alaskan terminology, legend, anecdotal folklore, as well as local history, throughout, makes not only for an engaging, but also, a highly informative read.
By way of remarkably poetic storytelling, Smelcer draws a flawless parallel between the unrelenting strength of nature and the indefatigable determination of the human spirit. The Edge of Nowhere, which was adapted from a true story, is yet another gripping literary triumph for Smelcer, which transcends both gender and generations, and is far more than worthy of all the praise it is positive to garner.
- John Smelcer, Edge of Nowhere
Smelcer’s latest YA novel, Edge of Nowhere, is a riveting, picturesque, trial to triumph tale. Set amongst a backdrop of cloud-enshrouded mountains, tumultuous sea and breathtaking forestry, Smelcer encapsulates the Alaskan territory with the sheer authenticity only a Native could deliver.
The characters are well-drawn and accessible, and it is obvious, early on, that the Edge of Nowhere’s main character, 16 year old, Seth Evanoff, is the quintessential, Huck Finn-ish hero. He is your son, your brother, your student, your friend. He is the guy you root for against all odds. And the odds are most certainly stacked against him.
After being swept from the deck of his father’s boat, one night, by a gigantic wave, both boy and dog begin their grueling battle for survival. From the choppy, frigid waters, to the rugged, sweltering island terrain, to their run-ins with bears, whales, and even a cave of human remains, Evanoff stays strong for himself, as well as his dog, Tucker, and resolves to do whatever necessary to survive, including succumbing to an unsavory diet of raw salmon, mussels and sea slugs.
Smelcer’s interweaving of Native Alaskan terminology, legend, anecdotal folklore, as well as local history, throughout, makes not only for an engaging, but also, a highly informative read.
By way of remarkably poetic storytelling, Smelcer draws a flawless parallel between the unrelenting strength of nature and the indefatigable determination of the human spirit. The Edge of Nowhere, which was adapted from a true story, is yet another gripping literary triumph for Smelcer, which transcends both gender and generations, and is far more than worthy of all the praise it is positive to garner.
August 6, 2014
Seth Evanoff is swept overboard when a wave strikes his father's commercial fishing vessel in Prince William Sound. He and his dog Tucker somehow manage to make landing on one of the small slips of land off the southern coast of Alaska. Although Seth and his father haven't seen eye to eye since his mother's death and Seth's subsequent withdrawal into the world of computer and video games, his father never stops searching for his son even after the Coast Guard calls off its search. Meanwhile, Seth remembers how his father had cast aspersions on his ability to survive for even a day in the wilderness. The author deftly and sympathetically describes Seth's struggles amid the beauty and dangers of this part of the country. One of the things that keeps him going is his memories of the Alutiiq terms and concepts his grandmother taught him before her death. Although he hadn't been particularly interested in her stories before, suddenly they are important and help him figure out how to survive in the wilderness. It's easy to see how both father and son are responsible for their estrangement, but in the end, all that matters is that the boy has become a man, and the two are reunited. When I read books such as this one, I tend to be awed at what someone such as Seth is capable of doing. His ingenuity and determination to make it home alive waver only once, but his love for Tucker keeps him going forward.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2014
He compared himself to Robinson Crusoe, a sixteen-year old teen who washed up with his dog on an island with only the provisions he had on his back. Seth was salmon catching with his father during an Alaska storm when the duo is whisked into the sea. The storm has the attention of his father and the ships mate who doesn’t realize the fate of the boy and the dog until they dock later in the day. On the island, Seth immediately sets about finding food and fresh water; he is a real survivalist for being 16. Seth knows a lot about what to do and at first they are not successful but as each sun rises, Seth’s determination and skills make their lives more comfortable. For being alone on an island, there are few moments where I read about Seth being emotionally afraid and scared or his fear of being alone forever, Seth just fought through and was very confident of his current situation. He cried a few times and it made me wondered if this was actually feasible. Seth might have been running on adrenaline, Seth was upset with his father over the loss of his mother and perhaps this played into his emotional numbness, perhaps the dog gave him comfort but after considering all this, I still think the book lacked some emotional feelings for a 16-year old. It was an adventure, one filled with myths, stories and educational information as Seth tells us what he knows about the areas, feasible? Well, that is up to you to decide.
October 3, 2013
John Smelcer's "Edge of Nowhere" is a vivid, exciting story of surviving and maturing under extreme conditions. It reminded me a Julie of the Wolves, Hatchet, My Side of the Mountain and Island of the Blue Dolphins - all books about a young boy surviving alone in the wilderness.
Seth is a 16 year old boy who prefers his ipod and video games to anything else. His dog, Tucker, is his best friend as he isolates himself from his friends and tries to deal with the grief of losing his mother in an accident. One stormy night he is swept overboard from his father's fishing boat, and finds himself on a small island with nothing but a couple of Slim Jims and his dog.
Seth and Tucker spend the next four months slowly making their way back home by swimming between the many islands off the coast of Alaska, and learning to depend on their wits to find food and shelter. Seth's father is distraught over losing him, but never gives up hope that he will be found alive.
This is one of those wonderful pre-teen books that will stick in your head for a long time. It's well written, believable (it's actually based on a true story), and portrays the minefield of tween and teen emotions in a realistic way.
Seth is a 16 year old boy who prefers his ipod and video games to anything else. His dog, Tucker, is his best friend as he isolates himself from his friends and tries to deal with the grief of losing his mother in an accident. One stormy night he is swept overboard from his father's fishing boat, and finds himself on a small island with nothing but a couple of Slim Jims and his dog.
Seth and Tucker spend the next four months slowly making their way back home by swimming between the many islands off the coast of Alaska, and learning to depend on their wits to find food and shelter. Seth's father is distraught over losing him, but never gives up hope that he will be found alive.
This is one of those wonderful pre-teen books that will stick in your head for a long time. It's well written, believable (it's actually based on a true story), and portrays the minefield of tween and teen emotions in a realistic way.
August 16, 2015
Seth's mom was killed in a car accident about a year ago. Deep down, he blames his father Jack for her death. Seth has also isolated himself from his friends, activities he used to enjoy, and life in general. He disappears from real life by escaping into the music on his iPod. His deviation from this pattern is helping out his dad on his salmon boat and spending time with his dog Tucker.
Aboard the salmon boat one night, Seth and Tucker are thrown overboard in a violent storm. Luckily, they don't drown and are able to ride out the storm on a very tiny island. All Seth has to eat is a couple of candy bars and has no fresh water. After waiting on the island for two days, Seth begins to understand that no one is going to save them so Tucker and he are going to have to save themselves.
Set in Alaska, this novel is definitely for fans of Gary Paulsen's Hatchet
Aboard the salmon boat one night, Seth and Tucker are thrown overboard in a violent storm. Luckily, they don't drown and are able to ride out the storm on a very tiny island. All Seth has to eat is a couple of candy bars and has no fresh water. After waiting on the island for two days, Seth begins to understand that no one is going to save them so Tucker and he are going to have to save themselves.
Set in Alaska, this novel is definitely for fans of Gary Paulsen's Hatchet
February 1, 2016
Really enjoyed aspects of this book. A lot of the narrative painted vivid pictures with spare language and the book was strewn with really great lines and truisms. The author deftly wove together folklore, facts about Alaska, and historical occurrences that many individuals wouldn't know about. The sparse language only added to the desperation and beauty.
The worst part was reaching the end and realizing that the author had a close miss. The book has amazing aspects but it didn't evolve fully enough. It definitely could have benefited from 25-50 additional pages. I recommend reading this book but it was not as life-changing as it could have been. All-in-all, a good book but disappointing because you catch continual glimpses of how breath-taking and impacting it could have been.
The worst part was reaching the end and realizing that the author had a close miss. The book has amazing aspects but it didn't evolve fully enough. It definitely could have benefited from 25-50 additional pages. I recommend reading this book but it was not as life-changing as it could have been. All-in-all, a good book but disappointing because you catch continual glimpses of how breath-taking and impacting it could have been.
August 21, 2015
I was fishing around the library for a book that reluctant readers could get into and use for their writing assignments. This book came up as a suggestion so I brought it home - not a long read at the speed I read and a good story that kept me turning the pages.
The author cleverly weaves tales from his Alaskan heritage into the story. I would have responded well to much more intense writing about the relationship between Seth and his father although that might not have been appropriate for the target age group. The story rolls along, however I have to confess that I ended up a little puzzled... why did his journey take so long?
I would recommend this book to any-aged reader but there are others ahead in the queue if your reading time is limited.
The author cleverly weaves tales from his Alaskan heritage into the story. I would have responded well to much more intense writing about the relationship between Seth and his father although that might not have been appropriate for the target age group. The story rolls along, however I have to confess that I ended up a little puzzled... why did his journey take so long?
I would recommend this book to any-aged reader but there are others ahead in the queue if your reading time is limited.
December 19, 2011
This book was absolutely fantastic. I was impressed by how the story was written and how the information was delivered. Seth's plight as he and Tucker are swept overboard and have to walk/swim home over the course of four months through the grueling and unforgiving tundra of the Alaskan Aleutian Islands was gripping and touching. I really felt for Seth's father as he plead with his community to keep looking for his lost son, when all others had given up hope for Seth and Tucker's rescue.
If you're interested in wilderness stories and beating all odds, or if you are a Jack London fan, you should get this book. You'll be hard-pressed to put it down.
If you're interested in wilderness stories and beating all odds, or if you are a Jack London fan, you should get this book. You'll be hard-pressed to put it down.
November 13, 2014
When sixteen year old Seth Evanoff is washed overboard his father's fishing boat during a wild storm off the coast of Alaska, it is a miracle he survives. During the storm he and his dog, Tucker, are washed towards one of the many islands along the Alaskan coast. Together, they make it onto the island where at least for the moment they are safe. Over the next few months, they steadily head for home by swimming from island to island and never giving up hope that someone might pass by and rescue them. This is an amazing tale of survival, made all the more incredible as it is based on real events.
April 20, 2015
I really wanted to like this book. I found it fairly readable, but certain sections felt a little disjointed. Seth and Tucker's adventures were very clear, but the Native tale at the beginning of each chapter was a little jumpy. Also, several bits of the story seemed primed to take me somewhere, but then didn't seem to pay off. For instance I kept thinking something important or profound would come of the i pod, but then it fell flat. I get that the characters in the story are not very effusive in their feelings, and Seth did find his way out of grief through his adventures, but the lessons seem forced and sudden.
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