Island Boy

Island Boy

Written and Illustrated by Barbara Cooney

Published in 1988

Grade Level: 4th grade

Synopsis: Island Boy is the story of a Matthias, a boy born on Tibbetts Island on the east coast of Maine.  Matthias' father had moved their with his wife and three oldest children after he had cleared the land, dug the well, and built the house.  As time passed, the family grew, but no one was as attached to the island as Matthias.  As an adult, Matthias traveled as a cabin boy on his uncle's ship called the Six Brothers, to distant cities, such as Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia.  He saw many places and met many kind people, yet Tibbetts Island was always in his mind and in his heart.  On his return journey home, Matthias meets a schoolmistress named Hannah.  Together, they start a family on Tibbetts Island and watch their daughters grow up, marry, and eventually leave the island.  As an old man, Matthias tells his grandson the stories of his childhood, the history of the island, and his trips back and forth to the mainland.  One day, Matthias does not return from his trip to the sea and so it is that he dies an old man at home with his ocean, his island, and his memories.  Dozens of family and friends return to Tibbetts Island to honor his death. 

Theme/Skill: The theme of the story surrounds Matthias, the main character.  Matthias always remembers his home and what it means to him even though he spends time traveling to other places.  The story of his life is a model for others to always stay true to themselves; their passions and what makes them happy. 

Pre-reading activity: Because the title of the book is Island Boy students would learn the definition of the term island and about the geography of Tibbetts Island in particular.  Students will identify the location of the island on a map and learn about the climate on the island, water temperature, means of travel from the island to the main land, and plant and animal life on the island.  The teacher will create a Webquest about islands in general and the islands on the map in Cooney's book.  Students will work with partners or in groups of three to answer a series of knowledge, comprehension, application, and analysis questions about the topic. 

Post-reading activity: Students could learn about how lobstering and fishing are important to the economy of some coastal cities.  The teacher could share with students a newspaper article about the dangers of pollution and its effects on sea life.  The teacher could break the students in to groups with other students with similar reading capabilities.  In their groups, students would read about different types of pollution such as air pollution, water pollution, and the destruction of natural resources (rain forests, coal, oil).  Students will answer comprehension questions in their groups and then share out with the rest of the class about their article. 

Assessment: It is important that students learn to compromise and share responsibilities.  That is why students will be informally assessed on a scale of one to four based on how well they work with the people in their group. 

Reflection: Two time Caldecott winner Barbara Cooney has created a story that is sure to intrigue young readers.  She writes about "a life dedicated to family and community and rooted in the land.  Drawn from history and from the heart, Island Boy is both a rich celebration of individual achievement and a beautiful evocation of the people and places that have become part of the New England landscape" (Island Boy book jacket).  This resonates with me as someone who has spent time in Maine from the first month I was born.  I don't know how to describe it to someone who has never been there, but life in Maine is different than life here in New York.  Not different in a huge way, but different in the sense that things seem more relaxed and connected to nature.  Read Island Boy and visit Maine in order to experience the true beauty of Barbara Cooney's story.