Module 4: Call It Courage

Summary:
Call It Courage (Newbery Medal winner, 1941) is the story of a young boy, Mafatu, and his journey to self discovery in the islands the Pacific. Mafatu experienced a tramatic event in the sea as a young child, causing both the loss of his mother and a life long fear of the power of the water. He refused to set foot in the water again, believing it was only possible for him to escape his destiny once. While his name implied courage, his heart did not follow suit. He was often teased for staying behind to do womens' work while the other boys his age went off to fish. One day this teasing became too much to handle, so Mafatu set off on his own. After battling a storm that nearly cost him his life, Mafatu and his dog Uri reached an unknown island. On this island Mafatu came face to face with his fears. He conquered his fear of the unknown, his fear of the water, and his fear of being alone. Necessity bred bravery in this case- allowing Mafatu to survive, and thrive, during his time there. After battling and defeating a boar, a shark, and an octopus, and making a canoe, Mafatu knew it was time to return to his father as the brave boy his name portrayed him to be. After narrowly escaping a tribe of cannibals, and surviving another difficult journey on the water, Mafatu received a heroes welcome on his home island. He successfully proved to everyone, but more importantly to himself, that he truly was a boy with a "stout heart."

My Thoughts:
While not personally appealing, I can see why this book was an award winner and is still popular today. The fast paced story was a quick read with a great deal of action and adventure. I see young boys relating well to Mafatu, identifying with the struggles he faces in an attempt to prove his worth. For me, I typically enjoy historical fiction, but found myself struggling to enjoy the story. I continuously worried more about the outcome of the dog, than about the inward and outward struggles of the young boy. I suppose my complete lack of adventure plays a large roll in this distaste for such an adventure filled book.

Their Thoughts:
New York Times Review-
"Whether this author is telling of clipper ships, of the days of the covered wagon, of the South Sea Islands, he writes always with imagination and integrity. Like all hero legends Mafatu's story has a strength and simplicity that appeals to a wide range in age and it is beautifully told. Mr. Sperry's fine drawings have the same spirit of adventure as the story and enhance the feeling of tropical seas and jungle given in the text. The story reads aloud well and will be useful to storytellers."

My Ideas:
This book would serve well as a read aloud over several weeks of library time for older children. It is a child friendly introduction to historical fiction, and would play well for even the most reluctant male readers. Alternatively, it could also be used during a unit about friendships/bullying. The underdog element of this story would be attractive to those students who feel as if they just do not measure up, and would be a good reminder to the alpha dogs who may contribute to this ill feeling. (For younger students on the same topic, Tacky the Penguin would be a wonderful choice.)