Adrift

Ever since the farm failed, Flynn has had to take care of his baby sister. Now, on vacation, that means walking along the seashore for hours until Sally finds her share of shells. Then Flynn finds a big crate--a perfect pirate ship--and he and Sally climb aboard. The tide carries them away from land, and the boy soon realizes that they are in serious trouble. Several boats pass them and, as in Steven Callahan's novel (also titled Adrift ), Baillie's narrative shows how the successful survivor learns to make his own luck. Flynn rigs a sail from his shirt, and the children eventually make their way home. Based on a true incident, the novel offers a harrowing look at survival without losing sight of the protagonist's character. Flynn wrestles with his feelings for his sister and with the changes in his parents that give him an adult's responsibility before he's ready. Fans of The Cay and The Red Badge of Courage should be equally taken with this well-crafted yarn. Ages 8-12. (May)