Stranded

The exposition of Stranded introduces the story’s four protagonists, their group dynamic, and their conflicts. It hints at the strengths and weaknesses that will come into play during the four siblings’ journey of survival.

Carter is the first character the novel introduces, partly because he’s the most outspoken and insistent member of the group. He’s courageous, introducing the theme of Bravery as a Tool for Survival, and always wants to lead, to be first, and to demonstrate his physical strength and stamina. While many 11-year-olds would be terrified to be hoisted to the top of a boat’s mast to change a navigation bulb, Carter is not only unafraid but eager to do so and energized by it. His strong personality comes most into conflict with the group, particularly with Vanessa and Buzz, whom Carter has yet to accept as new members of his family. He feels like he can’t relate to Buzz, who is more timid and cautious, and he competes with Vanessa, who has natural leadership abilities like Carter. Completing this complex dynamic is Jane, the youngest member of the group but not one to underestimate. Vanessa, the oldest of the four, is compassionate and brave but also somewhat pessimistic about the trip and about bonding with Carter, not realizing that he feels the same way.

Introducing the theme of Forging a Blended Family, the four children find bonding difficult, particularly because the children are old enough that they’re long used to the way things were. When the storm hits, Dex points out that such risks and challenges can be a perfect opportunity for bonding: “A hard turn like this just brings you closer together. And let’s face it, isn’t that exactly what your parents wanted you kids to get out of this trip?” (20). Like the children, he’s unaware of just how extreme the challenges will soon become.

The sailboat, called the Lucky Star, is introduced as a key symbol (representing a vessel for change) as a violent storm quickly develops and the children must reckon with not only nature but also their own traits and self-doubt. The sailboat’s name, which is ironic because their situation is unlucky, hints at the expression, “Count your lucky stars,” which means that even when the odds are slim, success is possible if you focus on your strength and don’t give up. The story’s mood begins light, energetic, and optimistic: “The boat’s huge white mainsail ballooned in front of him, filled with a stiff southerly wind that sent them scudding through the South Pacific faster than they’d sailed all week” (1). The atmosphere is whimsical and full of excitement as the sailboat careens across the waves of the Pacific. However, the mood quickly changes into one of terror and suspense as the storm worsens. Vanessa is the only one who initially seems to understand the gravity of the situation and calls her father just to hear his voice.

The writing style is simple and typical of a middle-grade novel, with little flowery or overly complex language and an emphasis on action, emotion, and mystery. The story is written from the third-person omniscient perspective, conveying the thoughts and emotions of all four siblings as they endure and begin taking stock of how to best work together, which introduces another theme: Using Individual Strengths to Create a Team. The novel uses cliffhangers frequently, particularly when the group is in the middle of danger, and creates suspense and tension via the quick and simplistically detailed descriptions of events and settings: “Suddenly, there was a bright orange, canopied disc bobbing on the waves—but it was also drifting quickly away from the boat” (31).

The story jumps right into the action, wasting little time introducing characters and instead relying on the story’s premise and challenges to bring out the character’s personalities, strengths, and flaws. The book succinctly captures emotions in passages that describe their reactions to events: “It was like the voice inside her head was trapped there, even as her mouth opened and closed” (40). The children face challenge after challenge, and they quickly begin to forget their conflicts and differences to work together for a common goal.