Navigating Early

De: Clare Vanderpool

Narrado por: Robbie Daymond, Mark Bramhall, Cassandra Campbell

“Just the sort of book that saves lives by igniting a passion for reading.” —James Patterson

“Reminiscent of Huckleberry Finn.” —The Wall Street Journal

A Michael L. Printz Honor Winner

From the author of Newbery Medal winner Moon Over Manifest comes the odyssey-like adventure of two boys’ incredible quest on the Appalachian Trail.

When Jack Baker’s father sends him from his home in Kansas to attend a boys’ boarding school in Maine, Jack doesn’t know what to expect. Certainly not Early Auden, the strangest of boys. Early keeps to himself, reads the number pi as a story, and refuses to accept truths others take for granted. Jack, feeling lonely and out of place, connects with Early, and the two become friends.

During a break from school, the boys set out for the Appalachian Trail on a quest for a great black bear. As Jack and Early travel deeper into the mountains, they meet peculiar and dangerous characters, and they make some shocking discoveries. But their adventure is only just beginning. Will Jack’s and Early’s friendship last the journey? Can the boys make it home alive?

An ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults Selection
An ALA-ALSC Notable Children’s Book
A New York Times Editor’s Choice
A New York Times Bestseller
An Indie Pick
A Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
A Booklist Books for Youth Editors’ Choice Selection
A BookPage Best Children’s Book
A Texas Lone Star Reading List Selection
A Notable Children's Book in Language Arts Book
A Down East Magazine Best of Maine Book
A North Carolina Young Adult Book Award Master List Selection
An Iowa Children's Choice Award Finalist

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Just the sort of book that saves lives by igniting a passion for reading.”
–James Patterson

The Washington Post, January 1, 2013:
"Clare Vanderpool deftly rows this complex, inventive novel — her most recent since her Newbery-winning 'Moon Over Manifest' — to a tender, surprising and wholly satisfying ending."

The Wall Street Journal, January 18, 2013:
"An emotionally believable and moving work of magical realism."

The Boston Globe, June 22, 2013:
"A beautifully written adventure."

The New York Times, January 13, 2013:
"The hallmark of 'Navigating Early' is abundant adventure...The friendship between Jackie and Early and the Morton Hill Academy episodes overall have the flavor of Wes Anderson's delightful summer camp movie, 'Moonrise Kingdom.'"

Starred Review, School Library Journal, March 2013:
“Readers will find themselves richly rewarded by this satisfying tale.”

Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, November 19, 2012:
“This multilayered, intricately plotted story has a kaleidoscopic effect, blurring the lines between reality and imagination, coincidence and fate.”

Starred Review, Booklist, December 15, 2012:
“Newbery Medal-winning author Vanderpool’s sharp, honest narrative, sparkling with the stars of the night sky, pieces together an elaborate, layered plot with precision, weaving multiple threads into a careful, tidy conclusion perfectly suited for those, like Jack and Early, who want to believe.”

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, November 15, 2012:
““Returning to themes she explored so affectingly in Moon Over Manifest, Newbery Medalist Vanderpool delivers another winning picaresque about memories, personal journeys, interconnectedness—and the power of stories.”

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, February 2013:
"This story of a poignant friendship of two heartbroken boys shifts quickly among genres...moving into territory more often claimed by high fantasy quests, heroic epics, wilderness adventures, and even mysteries. The incorporation of these familiar tropes give the book broad and fascinating appeal, and those that trust Early—and Vanderpool—to lead them through the treacherous woods will be pondering and debating the surreal experience for some time to come."

The Horn Book, March/April 2013:
"While the writing is as minutely observant as it was in the author’s Newbery-winning debut, Moon over Manifest, this book has a stronger trajectory, developed by the classic quest structure that emerges when Vanderpool sends the boys into the Maine wilderness."

Navigating Early

I think I now have a new favorite author !! Clare Vanderpool can weave a story that will keep you captivated from first page to last! She is a master at weaving two stories together , and her characters are friends 7 would be happy to know..
Excellant narration, a masterful tale.
I want more..!!

Best Book I've Listened to or Read This Year!

I've had this book in my wish list for several years, since I finished (and loved) "Moon Over Manifest". I'm so glad I finally listened to it. It did not disappoint. Although it is marketed as a children's book, I think this book would appeal to ANYONE. It would be suitable for a classroom read, but also a book I think adults would enjoy. I certainly did. For sure, you can listen to this audio version with your kids. A perfect road trip listen.

Jack meets Early Auden when he is sent to a boarding school after the death of his mother. Jack finds Early to be a bit odd and eccentric. In reality, Early is an autistic savant, but those conditions had not been diagnosed in the 1940's, when this story takes place. The two form a bit of a friendship, and through a series of events, embark together on a journey; an adventure that takes them down the Appalachian trail.

I adore the writing style of Clare Vanderpool, and I wish that she would write more. But the two books she did write are wonderful reads and I fully expect them to become classics.

The narration for this book was PERFECT! I can not recommend this book highly enough. It is a real treasure; a beautiful story.

Great audio book

I gave performance a 4 instead of 5 because of the storytelling of Pi. It seemed as if it needed to be Early’s voice and bothered me every time the story switched to Pi. Jack was awesome at telling his part of the story however. Good, clean, feel-good read.
Like Vanderpool’s other book, Moon Over Manifest, this should be made into a movie. 💕

it's been awhile

it's been a while since I've read this book, so my review will be without details. I loved the title after reading this book. I enjoyed reading this book and found myself wanting to keep getting back to it. i think it was cleverly written.

Inventive, heartfelt story

Navigating Early reaches deep into your heart and asks that you shed a tear or too, laugh a lot, and deeply consider your place in the universe.

Stunning story

Beautiful book with many amazing messages. Jack baker is an amazing protagonist who spreads love.

Great Character Study

I like coming of age stories and this one was very good. The picaresque elements are satisfying as the two engaging main characters search for important answers. The fairly obvious allegorical use of the Pi story makes an interesting background, and I really enjoyed Mark Bramhall's reading of those elements. I think this would make an excellent vehicle for teaching the novel to the middle-school grades.

A surprising wonderful read

I had the pleasure of reading this as a part of a book club. At first I wasn't really into it, but something shifted around Chapter 6 and I was hooked. I decided to try it audibly at that point and believe that made it an even more enjoyable book. There are no coincidences indeed Mrs. Baker.

My new favorite book!

I listened to this audio book with my daughter and it has become my new favorite book! We just got done listening to the whole thing a second time!
The characterization, the richness, depth and complexity of the plot... it is excellent, and a book that should go on the shelf with other classic required reading.

Also the performance was top notch. A quality production all around.

Nice, but predictable coming of age story

I liked the parallels between Early's made up story and real life. I always like stories about kids in boarding school.