Call It Courage

Call It Courage

By Armstrong Sperry

8 ratings 18 reviews 10 followers
Interest LevelReading LevelReading A-ZATOSWord Count
Grades 4 - 8Grades 4 - 8X6.219326
Maftu was afraid of the sea. It had taken his mother when he was a baby, and it seemed to him that the sea gods sought vengeance at having been cheated of Mafatu. So, though he was the son of the Great Chief of Hikueru, a race of Polynesians who worshipped courage, and he was named Stout Heart, he feared and avoided tha sea, till everyone branded him a coward. When he could no longer bear their taunts and jibes, he determined to conquer that fear or be conquered-- so he went off in his canoe, alone except for his little dog and pet albatross. A storm gave him his first challenge. Then days on a desert island found him resourceful beyond his own expectation. This is the story of how his courage grew and how he finally returned home. This is a legend. It happened many years ago, but even today the people of Hikueru sing this story and tell it over their evening fires.
Publisher: Novel Units, Inc.
ISBN-13: 9781561374922
ISBN-10: 156137492X
Published on 2/20/2007
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 44

Book Reviews (20)

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I just read this book and it is totally awesome. Mafatu was afraid of the sea, unlike the people in his village. Starting when he was 3, he saw his mother die because of a storm, and that started his fear. All his life until he was 15, he was teased and bullied all because of his fear of the sea. Mafatu couldn't stand it, so he started out onto a journey to prove his courage. As he was starting his journey, he was caught in a storm and landed in a desert island with his dog, Uri, as his only companion. In the island, Mafatu learns how to face his fears, learning to hunt and love the sea, just like everyone in the village. Finally, Mafatu realizes he has to go back to his island, where he is greeted as a hero to everyone in his home village. This book teaches people what courage is like and how to face your fears, one step at a time. I recommend this book to people between ages 9-15, and people who love adventures that tell them what they truly mean to people like them.

There is once a legend about a son of the chief in the Hikueru Island, his name is Mafatu. Mafatu is afraid of the sea, which makes his father ashamed and embarrassed, since every boy is a fishermen. So Mafatu decided to overcome his fear, and sail out the sea with his dog, Uri as companion. He was caught in a storm, lost his canoe and ended up in a desert island, and taught himself how to hunt and survive. After he stayed there for days he realise that he needs to go back. So he started to build up a canoe and went back. During his journey on the way back, he had many encounters for example a shark, octopus and a wild boar. He successfully killed them all. And when he got back, Mafatu's father is really proud of him and takes him back. This story is told through many generations

that one guy that one guy

I liked this book because he has to survive by overcoming his fear I would rate it 4 stars, and recommend it to any body looking for a good book.

I have read it it is about a boy who is afraid of the sea

We are reading it it's very good!!!!!

I love this book because it shows that you can survive on your own.

My mom has read this and she really liked the survival and just anything that Mafatu does to stay alive. Im not done reading it but when i am i might give it a five star.

I just finished reading this book and let me tell you it is really good. It is very interesting and not boring at all. Its also a great story, but it is kind of sad at the end, but i would read it again. I also really recommend this book.

Teddy Teddy

I recommend this book to any reader because first of all, it has a great plot and second of all, the author describes the scene so well, that I felt like I was part of the book and I want others to experience that too.

amazing survival skills