Adrift

Allan Baillie (author)

Puffin Books, Australia: 1983, 1994; 128pp  

ISBN: 9780140370102

Genre: adventure

Issues: family, siblings

Flynne is burdened with babysitting his 5-yr old sister, Sally, while holidaying at their aunt's house in Avalon, NSW.On the beach they find a large wooden crate which becomes their pirate vessel.

An unexpected shove causes the crate to float beyond the breakers and the pair find themselves (and their cat) adrift. Coping with the various dangers - sunstroke, thirst, a storm, a shark, hunger - forces Flynne to rethink his feelings for his sister and, inadvertently, his father.

Inspired by a newspaper clipping telling of four boys and a dog found adrift on a crate in the Mediterranean, Adrift is written with Baillie's usual polish and ability to craft a dramatic narrative.

Same author: Treasure Hunters; Imp