Description
InSeas of South Africa, the sixth volume in the best-selling Submarine Outlaw series, it has been over two years since the young explorer first set sail in his own submarine, with his dog and seagull crew. Now, almost seventeen, Alfred is on the cusp of switching from exploring the world to playing an active environmentalist role in protecting the sea that he loves so dearly. Brought into conflict with the pirate scourge that plagues Africa's eastern shores, Alfred takes action against them, only to bring them into tireless pursuit of him. Escaping overland to Johannesburg, with a reckless young inventor from Soweto, Alfred discovers that the violence which taints the shores of the continent is deeply embedded in the life of South African society, so recently freed from Apartheid. Despairing at the cruelty inflicted upon his friend, Alfred learns that the antidote to violence is not more violence, but the strength of one's heart and an indomitable determination to improve the world, as exemplified in the life of Nelson Mandela. Armed with new inspiration, Alfred is ready to become the eco-warrior he was destined to be.
Contributor Notes
Philip Roy writes young adult novels of adventure that invite young and older readers alike to consider the variety, vastness, and fascination of the world around us. Born by the sea in Nova Scotia, Philip travels extensively for research for the "Submarine Outlaw" series. When at home, he divides his time between Antigonish, Nova Scotia, and St. Marys, Ontario, where he writes novels and composes music.
5 More Stars for the Submarine Outlaw Series!
My children and I have finally finished Roy's sixth book in the Submarine Outlaw series, and, as much as we thought book 4 (Ghosts of the Pacific) & 5 (Outlaw in India) might be our favourites--the sixth book is now a serious contender. But I will say that Roy is also dealing with some darker themes--mob violence in South Africa, for instance, and modern-day pirates, as well. And yet he always finds such positivity even when Al is confronting major philosophical questions--like what causes people to commit such evil acts--or why humans seem so hell-bent on destroying the planet. What we're really excited about is that Al is starting to become a serious environmentalist. In Seas of South Africa, he befriends Los, an ingenious young man from Soweto, and Los inspires Al to actively strive to save the oceans. Al's mission couldn't be more timely in light of what we know is going on now--with the apocalyptic prediction of the collapse of the oceans in 2,048. So Al just becomes more and more visionary as this terrific series progresses, and more and more complex, too. Not unlike Roy's other novels, this book was extraordinarily well-written, and well-researched. Kudos to Mr. Roy for yet another book that met our every expectation!