YA novel, read around 1996. American? boy sailed on and explored the Great Lakes (adventures), lived on the shore of one of these lakes. Story set around 1950s/60s.

[Jonathan]

About 20 years ago in middle school I read a novel that I have the faintest recollection of, but have always wondered about. It was set around the great lakes, and involved a boy who would go adventuring on the lakes. I believe it was set in the mid 20th century.

Not much to go on, but possibly enough to narrow things down.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

What time period was it set in? Was the boy white, Indian, etc.? Was he in a boat, on land, both? How old was he, was he completely alone? Were there illustrations? Author male or female?

[Jonathan]

I believe the boy was an American who spent time sailing and exploring around where he lived on the shore of (one of) the great lakes, and I think it was contemporary whenever it was written (mid 1900s?) I don't recall illustrations or anything about the author.

[Kris]

Was he a Boy Scout? For example:
The Boy Scouts On Sturgeon Island by Herbert Carter?

You'll find some really old books (late 19th C./early 20th C.) by searching www.worldcat.org:
Subject = Great Lakes (North America) -- Juvenile fiction.

[Jonathan]

@Kris - That's a great suggestion - I don't think that's it though. I don't believe the boy was a scout.

I think the novel was set around the mid 1900s - 1950s/60s.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Jonathan, are you still looking for this or did you find it?

[Jonathan]

I am still looking. I haven't found it.

[Jenna]

Sounds kind of like Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. Maybe google middle school book lists + the state you live in + Great Lakes. I believe the states have to publish the schools’ book lists..

[Janet]

Whistle up the Bay? Set in Northern Michigan, possibly late 19th early 20th century? Children, I think 2-3 boys, are orphaned on a homestead when their father dies, and they try to keep their home

[Rainbowheart]

Michel's Island?

Copper-Toed Boots?

The Beautiful Ship: A Story of the Great Lakes?

[Rainbowheart]

Still looking, Jonathan?

[Jonathan]

Yes, I'd still love to solve this. The suggestions have been great, but I feel like the story was set in the mid-20th century.

[Rainbowheart]

I'll keep looking!

Was the boy a teenager or a younger child?

[Jonathan]

I don't recall :/

[Kris]

Did he spend time at a lighthouse? Did he use a canoe or sailboat? By himself or with a friend(s)?

Have you tried fairly broad, advanced searches on Worldcat.org? For example:

https://www.worldcat.org/advancedsear... > Keyword: "great lakes" ? | 1950-2000 ? | Juvenile | Fiction | Book | English

[Kris]

I added some details to the topic header, so your book might be recognized from that description alone. Many members only read the headers.

Feel free to update it by clicking the small "edit" link after the topic header. This only works on the full Desktop website - not the Mobile website or app. (On the Mobile website, there's a "Desktop version" link at the bottom of the page.)

[Jonathan]

Worldcat was really helpful but no luck.

[Rainbowheart]

Twilight Waves?

Then Came Adventure?

The Spell of the White Sturgeon?

[Molly]

Super long shot....but Not So Wild a Dream by Eric Sevareid begins with this sort of story.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Still looking now?

[Jonathan]

Yes I am

[Rainbowheart]

I'm sure we can track this down!

Jonathan, did you rule out the books suggested in messages 18 and 19?