Water, Water

Gr 3-6--When 12-year-old Rafe wakes up to find his bedroom floating on a sea of water with only his dog Buddy present, he is understandably upset. Neither his parents nor any other living creatures are anywhere to be seen. As time passes, Rafe becomes resourceful, using what he can find in his room (lacrosse stick) and floating in the sea (cans of mystery food). Rafe eventually encounters other survivors of whatever has befallen the world: a cello-playing woman, pirates who attempt to pilfer his belongings, and a young girl named Dao with a cat. Dao and her cat join Rafe, and they attempt to survive while dealing with language differences and the grief of losing their families. In the midst of it all, reluctant reader Rafe is surprised when even his last homework assignment begins to look appealing. He opens the one book left in his possession, and overcomes his fears of reading by sharing it with Dao. The single-color, woodcut-style illustrations complement the plot well in their vastness and simplicity. While the story may hold reader interest, many gaps exist that could leave curious tweens unsatisfied. Not knowing what happened or why Rafe has no memory of it may leave young readers concerned about their futures. VERDICT While the topics of grief, friendship, and perseverance are touched upon, this brief text will likely have a limited audience.--Michele Shaw