The Cay by Theodore Taylor, is a thrilling survival tale with a dash of historical fiction. Taylor tells the story of eleven-year-old Phillip Enright, an American living on the Caribbean island of Curaçao during World War II. While attempting to return to safety in the U.S., Phillip’s ship is torpedoed and he finds himself blinded and stranded on a raft with an elderly black man named Timothy. As the two attempt to survive on a deserted island, Phillip learns lessons in friendship, perseverance, and inner strength. The story’s message of racial equality provides material for meaningful class discussions. Its linear structure and dynamic protagonist also make The Cay a wonderful resource for teaching plot structure and character development.
