In 1704, Alexander Selkirk was voyaging across the South Pacific when, after arguing with the ship’s captain, he was put ashore— alone—on an uninhabited island. Equipped with little more than a musket and his wits, Selkirk not only survived in complete solitude for more than four years, but to came to be quite comfortable and happy. After being rescued by a British privateer in 1709, he took a leading role in several dramatic captures of merchant ships. Although he returned to civilization a rich man, he couldn’t find a place in society and always longed to return to the paradise of his island. Selkirk’s well-documented adventures so inspired Daniel Defoe that they became the basis for his perennial classic, Robinson Crusoe. In an account that is every bit as fascinating as Defoe’s novel, Robert Kraske provides vivid descriptions of Selkirk’s days on the island and aboard ship, including details of the violent, bloody, and legally sanctioned pirating that went on in the early 18th century. Author’s note, glossary, bibliography, index. Grade 5-8–In a chronological account of the life of a privateer, two of eight chapters describe Selkirk's solitary, four-year survival on Juan Fernandez, an island 360 miles west of Chile. The book also includes the sailor's rescue and his return to Scotland. The final chapter discusses Daniel Defoe's attempt to use the man's records to create a literary work ( Robinson Crusoe ) that would pay his mounting debts. Pencil-drawn maps clearly show the locations of Selkirk's voyages. Reference to his temper stops in chapter one, after which he becomes a Bible-reading naturalist, wise navigator, and solitary individual longing for his island home. The book leaves out the historical possibilities that he committed himself in marriage to two women, struggled with alcoholism, and left again for sea after nearly killing a man in a fight. This compelling, if not entirely factual, book features a character about whom little has been written for children. Its greatest merit lies in the chapters that explain privateering and the war between England and Spain. –Julie R. Ranelli, Episcopal Center for Children, Washington, DC Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Gr. 5-8. This attractive little book offers the true survival story of the man who inspired Defoe's novel Robinson Crusoe . In 1704, English sailing master Alexander Selkirk was marooned on Juan Fernandez, an isolated Pacific island. There he hunted seals, fashioned primitive tools, made clothes from goatskins, read his Bible, and made peace with his lot. In 1709, two English ships rescued him, hired him as a second mate, and later captured a Spanish treasure ship. Selkirk returned to London a wealthy man, though he never regained the peace of mind he had found on his island. Kraske offers a well-focused look at life in several quite different settings during the early eighteenth century as well as an absorbing telling of Selkirk's story. Parker contributes a full-page illustration at the beginning of each chapter and a small decorative drawing that reappears throughout the account. The book ends with a glossary, a bibliography, and an informative note concerning Juan Fernandez Island today and Kraske's research. Carolyn Phelan Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved "Kraske adds unusual dimension by enlarging on the historical record with credible insights...makes a grand, poignant tale." KIRKUS, starred Kirkus Reviews, Starred "Absorbing...a colorful look at the life of an eighteenth-century mariner." BULLETIN Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "[Kraske] treats readers to a quiet narrative, peppered with language and quotes of the period...full-page illustrations." HORN BOOK Horn Book "A well-focused look at life...during the early eighteenth century...an absorbing telling of Selkirk's story." BOOKLIST Booklist, ALA "This compelling...book features a character about whom little has been written for children." SLJ School Library Journal "The quiet and accessible narrative...is strengthened by full-page illustrations and a trio of maps" HORN BOOK GUIDE, Pointer Horn Book Guide, Pointer Robert Andrew Parker is a fine artist and printmaker whose work often appears in publications such as The New Yorker . His numerous children’s books include To Fly: The Story of the Wright Brothers , Across the Blue Pacific: A World War II Story , and Grandfather Tang’s Story . He lives in West Cornwall, Connecticut.   Robert Kraske has written 16 previous books for young readers, among them Harry Houdini: Master of Magic (Scholastic). This is his first for Clarion. He lives in Stillwater, Minnesota. Used Book in Good Condition