Vanderpool, C. (2013). Navigating Early.  New York:  Penguin Random House.

Navigating Early is a circular story told from the perspective of Jack and set just after World War II.  Jack recently lost his mother unexpectedly and his dad was been away for several years as a navy captain. Jack’s dad moves him from Kansas to a boy’s boarding school in Maine where Jack does not quite fit it.  There are tales of Fisher the perfect athletic boy a few years old that died in the war, Jack is intrigued by his story.  He notices a strange student named Early Autumn, most teachers and students don’t talk to Early and he seems to do what he wants.  Early is different but decides to make Jack his friend and tells Jack a story of Pi and his journey intermittent in the story.  He joins Early on a quest to find a bear in the Appalachian Trail. Somehow Early’s story, Fisher and Jack’s pain and loss are intertwined and through his journey with Early each will discover what they are really longing and seeking.

Navigating Early is a 2014 Pritz Honor Book and is on the 2014 Best Fiction for Young Adults along with many other awards.  Author, Clare Vanderpool has also written Newbery award winner for 2011, Moon over Manifest, it was her debut and it was the first time in 30 years that a first-time author was award the Newbery.  Navigating Early is reminiscent of books written years back within historical fiction. It is rich and inviting, the reader is drawn into the story and not sure where the journey will talk him.  Vanderpool provides author’s notes after the story and shares what sparked the idea of Navigating Early. Classroom resources are included in these two website that has literary elements, discussion questions, vocabulary, curriculum connections, and point of view ideas.  I will incorporate the idea of write acrostic of the main characters name to describe them.
Educator’s Guide
RandomHouse's Educator Guide to Navigating Early 

Themes of loneliness, longing to belong and find answers, connection with others are all defined within the text. Jack, the main character is relatable and communicates in familiar terms of the heart.  Navigating Early is wonderful written and crafted much like a passed down folktale. Listening to the audio version narrated by Robbie Daymond is a pleasurable experience, which will peak the interest of the entire family.