Module 4: The Raft

Module 4

The Raft by S. A. Bodeen

Summary

15 year old Robie lives on an island several hours away from Hawaii by plane. She frequently flies back and forth visiting her aunt in Honolulu. At the last minute she decides to fly home early and catches a supply plane just before it departs for the island. Several hours into the flight the plane is caught in a storm and crashes into the ocean. Robie is pulled into a life raft by the co-pilot Max, the only other survivor of the crash. They have no water, and only a bag of skittles for food. After days adrift the raft beaches on a deserted island but it has its own perils and Robie still has to fight to survive and hope for rescue.

Citation

Bodeen, S.A. (2012). The raft. New York, NY: Macmillan.

My impressions

This is an engaging, suspenseful book that is a quick, easy read that students would enjoy. It would appeal mostly to female students who would connect to the main character. It is a good example of problem solving skills and overcoming obstacles. Robie has to develop mental coping skills to be able to handle the mental challenge of surviving on her own.

Review from Library Media Connection

This gripping survival novel is notable for its resolute female protagonist. Robie, 15, lives an unusual life with her parents and a team of research scientists on Midway Island. Robie goes to visit her aunt in Honolulu, but shortly after her arrival her aunt is called away on business, so Robie decides to return home. An eight-hour cargo flight is the only way back to the island. Unable to contact her parents, Robie boards the aged plane. When the plane is caught in an electrical storm, the engines fail, and the plane nose-dives into the ocean. The co-pilot throws Robie and an inflatable raft info the dark, freezing waters. Robie finds herself adrift in shark-infested waters without water or food and the badly injured Max. This fast-paced survival story Is both psychological and suspenseful. Alone against the extreme forces of nature, Robie finds she will do anything to survive. Tena Natale Litherland, Central Library Director, Webb School of Knoxville, and Adjunct Lecturer, University of Tennessee, Knoxville [Editor's Note: Available in e-book formal]

Litherland, T.N. (2013). [Review of the book The Raft, by S.A. Bodeen]. Library Media Connection, 31(5), 69. Retrieved from EBSCOhost

Idea for use in library

This book would be great in a display of books with strong female protagonists. With how much impact the Wonder Woman movie has had this summer I think girls will be looking for more stories about strong girls. A display of good ‘girl power’ books would be well received.