Reviews

The Cay by Theodore Taylor

jessicavergarawrites's review

adventurous challenging hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

kellymfitzgerald's review against another edition

2.0

Wouldn't recommend it, wish I hadn't bothered reading it. But I had to for school. It bored me, and it was sort of depressing.

helen_is's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

maron123's review against another edition

3.0

I really enjoyed this book and all of its characters. It really teaches the readers about trust and friendship. This book was an assigned reading book at my school and its probably one of my favorite books that I read in school. It was very interesting and always kept me wanting more!

lahars_little_library's review against another edition

1.0

I defer my review to

Jamila

Who addresses my deep concern for this book being used in schools in this time period. While it may have been thought progressive in 1970 when it was written, it only reinforces negative stereotypes now. Read her review before keeping this book in your classroom or recommending it to a young person in your life.

laurakay67's review against another edition

5.0

I increased my review because this book has been in my head for so many years

It's wonderful

elizatheearthling's review against another edition

3.0

This is not a book that I would pick up if I saw it in a bookshop, but it is an excellent text to explore the themes of survival, prejudice, acceptance and friendship. My Year 5 class loved reading The Cay, and developed understanding of the text and its themes through our study of it this term.

I'd highly recommend this book to any teachers looking for an engaging and thought-provoking text.

nedens's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

crizzle's review against another edition

5.0

It was fitting to read this aloud with Justiney, as last year we read another great coming-of-age survival story together - Hatchet. I love Timothy and Philip's character development... {SPOILERS} ... blinded, just as he learned to become 'blind' to skin color in regards to loving and respecting others. Timothy did everything for Philip on the island, setting him up to be able to do things on his own if need be. I love the triumph in learning he can do something he was so unwilling and unable to months before.
A good read for 4th grade on up.

smithers815's review against another edition

4.0

I read this one and loved it the first time (middle school) and again more recently. Gotta love those re-reads!