Stranded

The theme of Using Individual Strengths to Create a Team is central in this section as the four siblings begin to learn almost immediately upon being stranded together that they must collaborate instead of arguing. They can’t waste time being worried about petty conflicts that happened back home because they all share the goal of staying alive and being rescued. The four siblings each have important strengths that come into play, including Carter’s leadership skills and physical strength, Jane’s resourcefulness, and Vanessa’s technical skills. Buzz’s skills are more of a practical nature because his extensive time playing video games and watching TV has taught him a lot about survival. Carter’s physical strength comes in handy to chop wood and use an axe to get water from the ship’s tank, and Vanessa figures out how to get the satellite phone to work.

Unfortunately, strengths are always paired with flaws and weaknesses, and Vanessa’s biggest weakness is her tendency to worry. Both she and Buzz are anxious, though Buzz seems to feel it more intensely. Vanessa’s worry leads her to act too hastily and use the last of the satellite phone’s battery before the group tries to determine their geographic location. Jane’s skills initially seem less practical and more factual: “It’s called an atoll. That circle used to be the top of a volcano. Now it’s sinking back into the ocean” (83). However, she soon proves that her studiousness and ability to retain information are quite useful in the middle of nowhere. The group experiences their first conflict when Carter gets frustrated about the lack of water and blames everyone else but himself for the leaky jug. He starts to realize, however, that problems like these are a waste of time and energy.

Leaving the boat for the first time is a significant moment because it symbolizes the group’s realization that they must do more than simply wait to be rescued and that they may be on the island for a long time. When Jane looks back at the boat and sees it in shambles, she cries because she knows she can do nothing but accept her circumstances and hope for the best. The group takes on the task of climbing across a gorge on a fallen tree, which is particularly difficult for Buzz, whose fear of danger extends to all things that involve risk. When Buzz succeeds in this task, it’s a turning point for him, and his more confident, capable side starts to emerge. When the group reaches the top of the island and looks out, the level of isolation is clear, as nothing and no one is in sight. An atmosphere of tension and uncertainty settles in as the group begins drawing on their inner strength and natural abilities and supporting each other to complete each necessary task. The book becomes an effective instruction manual for survival, including how to build a signal fire, search for water, and work together.