Adrift

by Alan Baillie

While playing pirates with his little sister and her cat in an old crate he finds on the beach, a young boy suddenly discovers that they are adrift on the sea and that he must somehow keep them all alive

Genres: Adventure

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1992

Reviews

[Eugenie · Rating 4 out of 5]

NY, Penguin books, 1983
This realistic fiction is an adventure story of a brother and younger sister who, while playing on the beach, accidentally float off to sea on a wooden crate. For instructional purposes I might use this as a classroom read aloud for grades 3-5, to discuss story parts/themes etc. or to compare to another survival type story (possibly Hatchet). This is a nice book for classroom libraries grades 4-6. The topic is appealing to many who like outdoor survival type stories. There are multiple themes available for discussion; survival, relationships between brothers and sisters, and fathers and sons. Also, the setting is coastal Australia; it might be interesting to note cultural differences.

[Kelsey Bangerter · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Flynn and Sally play on the beach, they find something fun and new: a floating crate. Flynn is learning how to be a teenager, and feels like he just can't please his father. Sally is still a baby and loves their cat Nebu. Flynn feels frustrated and like he doesn't want to grow up. They decide to get on the crate and end up drifting out to sea. Soon they discover that all they have is each other, and they decide to do everything they can to get home.

I have read this book many times, and I have always enjoyed it. It is a fast read, and you really connect with Flynn. I think every person has felt like they don't want to grow up and become an adult, and that helps everyone who reads the book to connect with Flynn's feelings. You rejoice in their successes and mourn for their sorrows. Luckily, it ends well.

Content Warning:
*some intense or frightening scenes

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 2 out of 5]

C-. fiction, children's fiction, middle school, adventure, siblings, Australia, from stash, discard

[Woff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very harrowing premise for a book aimed at under-10s. I do love a good lost-at-sea survival!

[Emma M]

Flynn, Sally, and Nebu's cat were playing on the beach when they found this crate. They were playing pirates for hours. before they new it they were being swept away by a sneaky current. They were terrified, especially the cat. Flynn had to step it up in the "big brother roll". That's exactly what he did, such as keeping her clam for the most part and making a sail to get them going the right way. This huge storm came, leading them to a reef. Then eventually led them to the shore. This is based on a true story from Australia.

[Allegra S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was fantastic as a kid! I love survival and adventure stories, this was a really great story about being kids being lost at sea and using their ingenuity to be rescued. Great read for kids!