The Wreck of the Zephyr

Title: The Wreck of the Zephyr

Author and Illustrator: Chris Van Allsburg

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company (http://www.hmhco.com/)

Publication Date: 1983

Genre: Picture book

Audience: Grades PreK-2

Awards: The New York Times best illustrated children's book, the New York Times outstanding books

Overview: This book tells a story within a story. In the beginning of a book, a man finds a shipwrecked boat at the top of a hill with a man sitting inside and wonders how the boat ever could have gotten so high up on land. The man who is sitting in the boat tells him the story of the boat's owner, who wanted to be the greatest sailor in the world. He finds a way to fly his boat above the water, but is told that he must not go over land, for he will lose the wind. In his effort to be known as the greatest sailor in the world, he decided to fly directly over his town. Of course, the boat loses it's wind and lands on top of the hill. The book ends with a twist (which is very typical for Van Allsburg) as the man who told the story tells what became of the "greatest sailor in the world".

Activity: This book would make a great read aloud, and lesson on inferencing. After reading the book, ask students a question that is not technically answered in the book, such as, "Why do you think the old man needs a cane to walk?" or "Where is the old man going to sail to at the end of the story?" Have students support their answers with direct quotes from the book.

Reviewer's Name: Allison Parsons