Real Rating: 3.5* of five
There's a religious-nut mother involved, so of course I had to read the book. To my disappointment, she is not vilified.

It's like that Leif Enger guy (<i>So Brave, Young, and Handsome</i>) or Per Petterson (<i>Out Stealing Horses</i>) was writing with Kent Haruf (<i>Our Souls at Night</i>); these comps ought to tell you what I thought of the book.

If any of the named writers are your jam, go now!

I got stuck for a long time attempting to get into The Raft of Stars. It was hard to put myself into this book. I empathize with the journey Fish and Bread think they are forced to travel on, but I wasn't able to connect with them or anyone else in the book.

On the surface, this is a story of two boys, but it’s a very character driven story where four characters experience a lot of personal growth. I loved the friendship of the boys and how they each grew. Cal and Tiffany were the secondary set of main characters, not quite as well developed but their story line had a substantial impact. Fish’s grandpa steals the show wherever he’s around; he was a fantastic character. And the wilderness the boys find themselves in is characterized so well, I could imagine being there.

"Raft of Stars" by Andrew Graff is a captivating novel that immerses readers in the rugged beauty of the Wisconsin wilderness, showcasing Graff's talent for atmospheric storytelling. While the character development may be somewhat limited, the protagonists' journey through the wilderness is nonetheless compelling, with each one facing their own trials and tribulations that test their courage and resilience. Set against the backdrop of dense forests and winding rivers, the setting is vividly portrayed, evoking a sense of adventure and exploration that enhances the reading experience.

Graff's writing style is evocative and lyrical, with prose that captures the sights and sounds of the natural world with breathtaking detail. The plot of "Raft of Stars" unfolds with a steady pace, allowing readers to savor the beauty of the setting and the simplicity of the story. While there may not be much intrigue or mystery to keep readers guessing, the novel's focus on relationship dynamics and personal growth makes for an enjoyable and uplifting read. Overall, "Raft of Stars" is a poignant and heartfelt novel that celebrates the enduring power of friendship and the beauty of the natural world.

This book was fantastic. The story swept me away and the writing was so stunning. Sometimes it is hard to read multiple points of view and have everyone’s voice stand out. Andrew Graff did an amazing job with this. I always knew whose POV I was in. The last 30 pages of this book is impossible to put down. Highly recommend this book.

An intense and beautifully written story. This tale of boys running from an imagined crime, taking on a wild river in their bold escape, turns into a parable of effort, challenge and self discovery. Every character, both boys, and the family members and friends who try to find them, go on a journey of redemption and absolution. This is a heartfelt and authentic story, with many memorable and beautifully crafted narrative threads.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This review is my voluntary and unbiased opinion.

Although I found this book to be a well-written, touching story, it just didn’t resonate with me.

In 1994, Fischer "Fish" Branson lives with his mother, Miranda, in Ironsford. He befriended Dale "Bread" Breadwin during the summers when he stays with his grandfather, Teddy, for 3 months every year after his father died. Fish talks about his dad but never mentions to Bread that his father died as a Sergeant in the National Guard. Fish and Bread spend time lighting firecrackers in silos, talking about snapping turtles and typical 10-year-old boys stuff and the Army.

Fish knows that Bread lives in fear of his drunken, abusive father and never feels comfortable leaving after a day of exploring. One day like many, Fish feels nervous leaving Bread with his father, so he returns to the house. He witnesses Bread's drunken father abusing him and quickly reacts by shooting after he sees a gun laying on the counter. Fish worries about the repercussions of his action but is relieved that Bread is no longer in danger.

When Teddy discovers the note, he contacts Sheriff Cal who is new to the area after leaving the stress of the big city. They go to find boys after they find Bread's dad dead and presume the boys are possibly involved. What ensues is a tales of two scared young boys using their survival skills to escape danger. Being young means they are also short sited in acknowledging the search party who are eager to find them.

Set in the summer of 1994, Fischer "Fish" Branson and Dale "Bread" Breadwin are ten-year-old best friends in a small town Northern Wisconsin. Fish has been sent by him mom, Miranda, to visit his grandfather every summer. Bread lives in Wisconsin under the harsh circumstances of an alcoholic and abusive father, but one day Fish can no longer take his friend's pain and decides to take Bread's father's fate into his own hands. So begins the harrowing journey of these two boys as they brave the Wisconsin wilderness on the run from the law. The law is Sheriff Cal who joins with Fish's grandfather in search for the boys. Meanwhile - and separately - Miranda has joined gas-attendant, Tiffany, in the relentless search of her son.
Told from the perspective of each pair as they embark through the Wisconsin wilderness undergoing mosquitos, river rapids, dense woods, animals, hunger and fatigue. This is a coming-of-age-novel, where my only critique, is that I forgot the boys were ten as they read more as 12 or 13. The characters, however, are flawed and each undergo their own internal journey that mirrors their external, but each have redeeming qualities that leaves readers hoping for the best ending for each. There are a few plot-holes that I had to suspend disbelief and reduce stars: [ 1. Why wouldn't the sheriff reach out for help in search of missing boys IN THE WOODS? 2. The Tiffany and Cal romance felt a bit sudden: from polite strangers who find each other attractive to a whole ass family. 3. Bread's injured father checked himself out of the hospital and managed to out-track four semi-healthy adults and was able to reach the boys before them? 4. Animal predators are quite tame (though I do recognize that the bears represent Fish's parents). 5. Tiffany's backstory could have been more interesting, but only shallowly skimmed the surface. (hide spoiler)]. Overall, this was a lovely coming-of-age novel with gorgeous wilderness imagery: 3 solid stars.

What a fantastic read!!! Great details and amazing story development. A story about 2 boys who commit an act together and run off. A couple of kids with nowhere to go but with the hope to reach a location where their savior would make things right. The only problem, their savior doesn’t exist. The struggles of the the boys and the search party is so captivating and exciting. To top it off, a beautiful ending.

What a beautiful book! The writing and descriptions of the river and the woods is really gorgeous. I liked how the author told the story through 3 different pairs of characters all heading in the same direction.

I LOVED this book! If you are a fan of William Kent Krueger, you will love Graff! I read this book in one sitting and was so sad when it was over. I loved the characters of the two boys and felt so connected to them as they started their harrowing journey. Such as beautiful book and incredibly good writing!

I love this book. It has a lot of heart. There is this richness to it that is comforting in its subtle and natural way.
It moved my heart deeply, spoke to my mind and touched my soul. It feels like a gift.
What made me pick it up was the friendship at its core and it is absolutely beautiful, it did not disappoint and gave even more with the smooth flow of the plot, its vivid imagery and the cast of characters who are so wonderfully written, I love them and I miss them already.
I wept, I laughed out loud & I enjoyed reading it immensely!
And the audiobook was great! The narrator did an amazing job with his performance

This one was really slow for me and hard to get into. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me. Thank you to Netgalley and Ecco Books for sharing this title with me.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this excellent work!

This was not my usual fare but the write-up of piqued my interest. This won't be for everyone but that is OK. Suspend disbelief and go along for the ride. Highly recommend this one. This is what great fiction is all about. Will read more from this author. Wonderful and deep characters and you won't want it to end.

This is in my shelf for a long time and every time I start, I always stopped at chapters 2 or 3. Being a mood reader that I am, I just picked it up last month and finished it.

Raft of Stars is a story of two ten-year old boys, Fischer “Fish” Branson and Dale “Bread” Breadwin, who think they committed a crime and flee into the woods. Fish, after witnessing his friend Bread being terrorized and hurt by his father, shoots him. Believing they killed him, Fish and Bread flee the scene and head to the woods. Four adults trying to look for them and want to bring them to safety, from the forest, typhoon and rain river.

It is a simply story but full of meaning. It’s about friendships, loss, hope, believing in yourself and in mankind. There are some really tug-your-heart moments at the start and towards the end. The middle part of the story is uneventful and I drift out more than a few times.

Thank you Netgalley and Ecco Books for the e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a well constructed adventure story about two boys who run away. Graff really paints a clear picture of the place so it feels like you are watching the action. I enjoyed reading about the boys and their friendship and I also appreciated the other characters - Sheriff Cal, Tiffany, Teddy and Miranda. The characters are well developed and likeable. The adventure is constantly changing and moves at a good pace. There are some sweet scenes and exciting ones, too. This was a solid novel which I would recommend!

Have you ever read a book that you didn’t want to end? This is one of those books. It is a wonderful story about two boys, Fish and Bread. This is not only their adventure, but an adventure for two other pairs searching for them. Bread is in an abusive homelife resulting in the boys running away “from troubles on a raft made of stars.“ The friendship between these boys is heartwarming. This is a journey on a river for each character. Each character’s journey is unique but the common theme is survival. The author does a great job describing each character and the adventure on the river. The reader easily understands the trials each character is going through.

I loved this book and would read it again. I NEVER read a book twice, but this book is the exception. It rated five stars! Read it! – you won’t regret it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the book’s publisher, HarperCollins Publishers, for an advanced reader’s copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This story of two boys caught up in circumstances beyond their control and their adventure down a river in Wisconsin is reminiscent of William Kent Krueger and John Hart. Very well-written with such vivid detail, great atmosphere and characterization that you feel as if you were right there in each scene.

In addition to Fish and Bread, the 10-year old boys, each of the other characters -- a mother, a grandfather, a sheriff and a lonely woman -- find meaning in their life as they search for the boys. An intriguing book, despite an ending where everything is tied up neatly, It still has the capacity to move the reader.

I would definitely recommend this book and would like to express my thanks to Ecco and NetGalley for this copy.

Raft of Stars wasn't even what Bread & Fish named the raft, and those boys names really annoyed me. It seemed to be far into the story before nicknames made sense. The story, while very descriptive & well written, was a bit far fetched & outlandish. The story does tug on emotions & I did root for them through the adventures. Perhaps I'm too critical, but I wouldn't reread. Would give 3 1/2 *.

Taking place in the 90s in Claypot, Wisconsin, this was a heartwarming story about friendship, family, love, and loyalty written as an adventure. I had fun reading this book and think that it was executed perfectly. This is a great read for those who enjoy coming-of-age stories.