Characters
Who is the boy sent to the program after a gun is found in his locker?
Luke Haggerty
What is the name of the boat?
The Phoenix
Why were Will and his sister sent to the program?
They fought constantly.
Where are the kids at the beginning of the story?
Aboard a boat.
Why is Luke uneasy about being at sea?
He imagines dangers such as storms, waves, sharks, and collisions.
Who is Luke’s roommate at the start?
Will Greenfield
What is a bed called aboard a ship?
A berth
What crime led to Luke being sent away?
Felony possession of a firearm.
What dangerous weather threatens the Phoenix?
A powerful storm.
What does Mr. Radford’s habit of using nicknames suggest about him?
He is dismissive and does not make much effort to learn names.
Who is the ship’s first mate who calls people “Archie”?
Mr. Radford
What is a ship’s kitchen called?
The galley
What does Luke say happened to the gun found in his locker?
A friend put it there.
What happens to Captain Cascadden during the storm?
He is swept overboard.
Why might the author introduce the kids’ different backgrounds early in the story?
To establish their differences, create potential conflict, and set up the possibility of teamwork.
Which boy is wealthy and travels to Guam on his father’s private jet?
J.J.
What is the bathroom on a boat often called?
The head
What stunt helped lead to J.J. being sent away?
He drove his father’s Harley through a gallery window.
What does Mr. Radford do after the captain is gone?
He abandons the kids and leaves the ship.
How does the storm change the story?
The trip becomes a dangerous survival situation.
Which character was sent to the program because he watched too much television?
Ian Sikorsky
What is the name of the program the kids are taking part in?
Charting a New Course (CNC)
What do the kids’ different reasons for being sent away show?
They come from different backgrounds and have different problems.
What emergency forces the kids to leave the Phoenix?
An explosion and fire.
Name one skill the kids will need to survive and explain why.
cooperation, problem-solving, first aid, or resourcefulness.