Iain Lawrence

This book was the most memorable of the trilogy. The action is fast-paced and unnerving, the protagonist is wonderfully resourceful. There's a shipwreck and a murder just to get the adventure going. But it is almost like a Greek tragedy in its scope. One man is haunted by the knowledge that he deliberately, albeit unknowingly, killed beloved family members. Another has been crippled due to his share in a crime. A third is tied up and left helpless, unable to prevent his toes being eaten by show more rats.

It is, essentially, an exploration of evil done through the motivation of gain, but also the stimulus of great poverty.

Miscatalogued by some public libraries as a childrens book; where YA category is available, should be YA. show less

12-year old Chris is invited to go sailing with his Uncle Jack in Alaska. When Chris arrives, he is introduced to another boy, Frank, around 15-years old, who is also coming. Unfortunately, their boat sinks and they lose Jack. Chris and Frank are stranded somewhere in Alaska, trying to survive.

I really liked this. But, wow, did I hate Frank! What a jerk! I loved Thursday, the smart raven who befriended Chris. I really enjoyed the story, though. I suppose it’s those good stories that make show more you feel such strong love or hate for the characters, sometimes. show less

Now this book, The Wreckers by Iain Lawrence, was exactly the adventurous book I was looking for. It opens with a bang as a ship battles the wind and currents off the coast of Cornwall to stay afloat. Seeing a beacon they steer toward the light only to be lured upon the rocks. John, the son of the ship’s owner finds himself washed ashore only to see that the people there aren’t rescuers but instead are ensuring that everyone from the ship is dead.

John escapes the beach but is caught in show more the village. He is rescued by the local landowner but by this time John doesn’t know who to trust amongst these people. He does make friends and learns to trust Mary, the niece of his protector. He also learns that his father is still alive but being kept prisoner as he is suspected of hiding gold that he was smuggling into England. John and Mary pledge to rescue John’s father and try to stop the villagers from wrecking more ships.

Lots of excitement and action as John and Mary ride up and down the coast trying to set things right. Although Mary steadfastly believes in her Uncle and the local minister, John isn’t so sure. He simply wants to wake up from his nightmare and get a chance to go back to sea which is his dream. show less

It’s been a year since the death of 12-year-old Chris’ father when his Uncle Jack invites him on a sailing adventure from Kodiak Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia. Chris’ excitement is curtailed somewhat when he finds out that they are sharing the adventure with Frank a sullen sarcastic 15-year-old who Chris has never met. When they hit a storm, the boat sinks, Jack is killed, and Chris and Frank find themselves stranded on the coast of Alaska without any provisions or means to show more contact help.

Despite Frank’s clear and seemingly constant animosity towards Chris, the two are forced to work together to either find a way to civilization or, if worse comes to worst, shelter and a food supply to allow them to survive the brutal winter ahead. Fortunately, they discover a derelict cabin and, with the salmon spawning in a river nearby, they have a food supply at least for a while. They also discover a tree with several coffins suspended in its branches, the skeleton tree of the title.

Frank seems to know a great deal about survival at least in theory but lacks the patience to carry through with his many plans whether it is creating a fire by rubbing sticks together or building a raft. He also displays a kind of daredevil attitude which can be dangerous especially in their encounters with an aggressive grizzly. Chris, the narrator of this tale, is much more patient and thoughtful but unfortunately has never been taught any survival skills. This lack plus Frank’s belittling makes him feel even more lonely until he befriends a raven he names Thursday who provides him with comfort but who just adds to Frank’s resentment and jealousy. Chris is dependent on Frank’s skills but, when an accident leaves Frank extremely ill, he must set out on his own to try to find help.

The Skeleton Tree by author Iain Lawrence is one wild ride of an adventure story. Pitting the two young protagonists against the wild Alaskan wilderness keeps the action and suspense racked up while allowing for growth as the two must learn to work together. The wilderness itself as portrayed by Lawrence is beautiful and beautifully realized – this is nature at its most majestic and most dangerous. The story and the characters are complex and compelling and make the reader care about the outcome.

But this is not just a simple adventure tale. It is also about family, grief, the need for forgiveness and to let go of old fears and resentments if one is to move forward to discover one’s own story. The book is aimed at a middle grade audience but it has enough happening to appeal to any age. show less