Call It Courage Mass Market Paperback – January 29, 2008

A coming-of-age story that is perfect for getting conversations going about virtues and values. Topics like survival, toughness, perspective, self-defense, heroism, and determination as well as bullying are the themes that come up. Don't read this book unless you are serious about reading a thought-provoking story. At least, that's what my students say.

Exciting. Emotional. Dangerous. Perilous. Triumphant. Joyful. A young boy, wrongfully shunned. Forced out on his own. Confronts terror, hurricanes, starvation, wild beasts, & dun dun dun…CANNIBALS! Survives on his own. Will he ever be reunited w his father to showcase his courage, courage that found on his own?

This is a golden classic piece of children's literature that EVERYONE should read at least once, and this text is quite good.In this story, the Polynesian boy, Mafatu, who has always been afraid of the sea -- a serious handicap for a child who lives on an island, and amidst a people who worship courage -- goes forth, alone, with only his pet dog and albatross, in a stolen canoe and makes his way to a deserted island to prove his courage agaainst the sea creatures, the animals on the land (wild boars, for instance), and the sea itself. And, overshadowing all, is Mafatu's one terrible discovery -- the island he is currently on is a sacred ritual meeting place for cannibals!Can Mafatu prove himself, construct a new canoe (the one he had was destroyed on the coral reef and lost in the storm which shipwrecked him on the island) and flee before the dreaded "eaters-of-men" return to exact their terrible revenge upon him for profaning their "motu tabu" -- the Forbidden Island?---There are a few typo's (very few, and very far between) -- a "runtogether" word on occasion, for example, or the word "galaxies" spelled with two "l"s ("gallaxies"), and the like. But otherwise, really excellent.My main complaint with this Kindle version -- and the only reason I only gave it four stars instead of five -- is that apart from the front and back covers, THIS BOOK IS NOT ILLUSTRATED in any way whatsoever.In PRINTED versions, there are at least TWO possible sets of drawings for this book, depending on which illustrator is doing whichever printed version you have (I believe one set was done by Mr. Armstrong Sperry himself); both sets are REALLY excellent; and neither one is included in this Kindle edition. While this probably accounts for this Kindle edition's extremely low cost, it is most definitely a trade-off -- I would very gladly have paid a LOT more in exchange for a full set of illustrations!Overall, though, a truly excellent value, and I do recommend its purchase!All of that being said, however, I do, very STRENUOUSLY, recommend that the editors issue an illustrated version of this classic -- either as a replacement for, or as an independent edition of, this version. The illustrations REALLY DO add that much to the value of this book!!!

Call it Courage is to put it simply, an amazing classic novel written by the great Armstrong Sperry, who also wrote one of my favorite short stories, The Ghost of the Lagoon, which I read back when I was a child, and unfortunately, never had the chance to read anything else by the man until recently. Well I just finished Call it Courage and I have to say I honestly enjoyed it far more than Ghost of the Lagoon, it has such a sense of wonder, adventure, heart, and warmth, that is just as relatable today as it was when it was written. How many modern day boys are often teased and bullied due to their lack or courage or bravery? While the novel is historical it's message is timeless. Call it Courage takes place "before the time of traders and missionaries" so based on that fact, it must take place sometimes in the early 19th century or before, since that's when the traders and missionaries began arriving. It takes place in a traditional Polynesian society on the tiny coral atoll of Hikueru, which is situated in the Tuamotu Archipelago of French Polynesia in modern times. It follows an adolescent boy named Mafatu, who grew up intensely afraid of the sea due to a close brush with death from it as a baby that ended up taking the life of his mother. Being the son of a chief Tavana Nui, he is mocked and shamed by virtually the entire community due to his lack of bravery and courage when it comes to fishing or even swimming. Finally, it comes to the point where he has had enough and he sets off on a journey away from Hikueru along with his faithful dog Uri and Albatross Kivi,to prove his worth and bring his father and the community pride and joy. Call it Courage is one of the finest examples of storytelling I have ever experienced, although I never had the chance to read it as a child, I know that I would have loved it even more then than I do now. Told through beautiful, poetic language, Call it Courage is a well deserved 5 stars.

Reading this for the FIRST time as an adult, I LOVED it! Our son was studying a portion of this book in school. I was kind of intrigued and so decided to purchase a copy for both him and I to read. (He enjoyed it also!)Mafatu, 15, is terrified of the sea and has always been that way for as long as he can remember. He lost his mother at the tender age of 3 and is still awoken at night sometimes with the sound of the sea causing him to break out in a cold sweat. With family and other acquaintances, including kids his age, looking down on him he has only two true friends: Uri, a dog and Kivi, an albatross.After hearing others call him a coward Mafatu decides that drastic action is needed! What does he do? Suspense keeps the reader engrossed as we are drawn in to his adventure. Go with him, feel for him as he faces his fears and ultimately overcomes them.EXCELLENT writing. SO descriptive! Should say though that this is NOT a book for young children. There are scary parts and of course the story does include the black eaters of men! Wonderful though for kids that bit older, along with teenagers and even adults! Not too long of a read and definitely well worth it. I purchased a copy of this book for my Kindle. I was not required to write a review but chose to do so. Thanks, Liz

A story about facing your fears and moving forward. Great read. My granddaughter, read it in one day! She loved it!

I choose this rating because I like the book.I like everything about it.I recommend this to everyone. Amazing book 👌

This story takes place on an island. A young boy must deal with his fears and learn to overcome them. He becomes independent as he learns to fend for himself. He learns that he is strong enough to confront danger and survive.

My grandson loved this book. He is 10 and into survival and courage. Good choice. Used and in mint condition.

My 10 year old son thought it was good, but not as good as Hatchet by Gary Paulson. Would give it about a 6/10

The book arrived in perfect condition