The boy, the boat, and the beast

By: Samantha M Clark

New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2018. Fiction. 245 p.

This is an unforgettable, heartfelt book about a boy who washes up on a strange beach where monsters live. He can't remember anything about who he is not even his name. As he journeys around the isolated island trying to remember what he has forgotten he sees a light in the trees and he starts to follow it. Getting to the light is not easy and he must overcome many obstacles and face some of his greatest fears as he struggles to just survive. This is a fast paced adventure story of determination and resolve to discover ones own monsters and face them.

This is a great book for those readers who enjoyed Hatchet or The graveyard book. This book does look into some difficult subjects such as abandonment, abuse, fear, and death but it does so in a way that is entertaining and approachable. The book is a perfect balance of suspense and character development that makes for a remarkable story.

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