The Wanderer

Sharon Creech's Newbery Honor-winning novel, "The Wanderer," invites readers aged 10-14 on a profound transatlantic adventure. Told through the alternating travel logs of thirteen-year-old Sophie and her cousin Cody, the story follows their journey to England with a crew of uncles and cousins. Sophie grapples with a mysterious, tragic past, while Cody struggles with self-doubt and a desire to prove himself. The book beautifully explores themes of identity, family dynamics, resilience in the face of the sea's challenges, and the search for belonging. It's a rich, contemplative read perfect for independent readers.

The sea, the sea, the sea. It rolled and rolled and called to me. Come in, it said, come in. Thirteen-year-old Sophie is the only girl amongst the surly crew of The Wanderer made up of her three uncles and two cousins. They sail across the Atlantic toward England, the land of Bompie, her grandfather. The sea calls to Sophie -- promising adventure and the chance to explore and discover. But the personal journey she takes brings her deeper into a forgotten past than she ever knew she could travel to. Sophie's thirteen-year-old cousin Cody isn't even sure why his father brought him along on this voyage. Everyone, including his dad, thinks he's nothing but a knuckle headed doofus. But behind all the goofing off, he wonders if he has the strength to prove himself to the crew and to his father. Through Sophie's and Cody's travel logs, the amazing experiences of these six wanderers and their perilous journey unfold. Stories of the past and the daily challenges to survive at sea swirl together as The Wanderer sails toward its destination, and its passengers search for their places in the world.Newbery Award winner Sharon Creech's newest novel is an adventure-filled story of a courageous girl's journey across the ocean and into the memories of her tragic past. Sophie's struggle to reclaim who she is inspires similar exploration from those around her -- as the crew discovers the joys and trials of belonging to a family.Bulletin Blue Ribbon Best of 2000 Award, 2001 Children's Books of Distinction (Riverbank Review Finalist), Books for Youth Editor's Choice 2000 (Booklist), Best Books 2000(School Library Journal), Children's Books 2000-NY Public Lib., 2000 Christopher Award, 2001 Children's Books of Distinction (Riverbank Review Finalist), 2001 Newbery Honor Book Award, 01 Notable Children's Books (ALA), 01 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA),Books for the Teen Age 2001 (NYPL), and Bulletin Blue Ribbon 2000 (Bulletin of Center for Children's Books