The Voyage of the Frog

Author: Gary Paulsen

Main Character(s): Uncle Owen and David

The story begins with the death of David's favorite uncle who taught him to sail. He is set upon a quest to scatter the uncle's ashes at sea where the adventure really begins. He survives great peril when he gets caught up in a storm and some wonderful encounters with the ocean like the whales he rested with in a cove. It is a story where the 13 year old boy comes of age and learns what life is really about. I really enjoyed the book. I read it for my science literature collection and would highly recommend it for any middle school student to read. As a matter of fact, I am contemplating having my students read it as a whole class novel.