Review: Navigating Early

Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Navigating Early
(c) 2013
by Clare Vanderpool

My rating: 4.5 stars

SUMMARY: Jack and Early, two middle-school boys at a boarding school in Maine, struggle with the realities of life during World War II. Jack recently lost his mother and his father is in the military. Early is autistic savant who sees stories in numbers—particularly a never-ending story in the never-ending number, pi. During a school holiday, they leave school and set out on a quest on the Appalachian Trail. But this quest will become personal in more ways than they could imagine. They’ll meet a lot of people—some friendly, some not—and learn that all are lost in some way, that each struggle with their own personal issues, and that all are part of the story of pi. And, along the way, they just might find themselves and their place in this world.

MY THOUGHTS: Navigating Early is a story (Jack & Early) within a story (pi). Or is it the other way ‘round? I enjoyed the mysteries within mysteries and the almost fantasy-feeling of some parts of the story. Was it coincidence or was more going on here than meets the eye? We may never know. And, along the way, I learned about gifted autistic children and some history on the number pi. Definitely not your average middle-grade novel!

I enjoyed Navigating Early more than I expected. It’s one of those novels that can speak to older as well as young adults. I do think it would be better understood by high school students than middle grade students. The novel contains some deep thoughts.

Navigating contains some great quotes that will give older students and adults food for thought. Here’s an example of one. Jack recalls an incident earlier in his childhood. Before the day of a big soapbox derby, Jack left his car out in the rain and it is ruined. His father told him, “...you made your bed, now you’ll have to lie in it.” His mother, however, tells him, “Yes, you made your bed, but for heaven's sake, don't just lie in it! Jackie, if you don't like the bed you're in, take it apart and make it right.” Younger students might just fly by that statement, but adults and older students might sit and think what great advice his mother gave.

I definitely recommend this award-winning novel! Homeschooling families and teachers desiring to use it in an educational setting should note that the author has a free guide for educators on her website, http://clarevanderpool.com/navigating...

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This review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions on the book, and I received no compensation for this review.

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