I enjoyed this book about two boys who take off down a river on a raft they made after something bad happened. The author makes you feel the boys sense of adventure and their sorrow. I liked most of the characters:
Teddy, Fish's grandfather who cares about both boys,
Miranda, Fish's mom who is quite religious,
Tiffany, a clerk at the gas station who saw herself in Bread, and
Sheriff Cal, who doesn't want to be in law enforcement.
I think the little bit of romance between the two characters would have been better if they'd actually had a date or two. It seemed kind of odd that they would each just daydream about the other one and find themselves in love when they barely knew each other.

There was one error that I noticed. On the kindle edition at location 2054, it says, "Bread's grandfather looked out at the road". It should say Fish's grandfather.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure books. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of Raft of Stars.

Raft of Stars
A Novel
by Andrew J. Graff
Ecco
You Are Auto-Approved
General Fiction (Adult) | Literary Fiction
Pub Date 23 Mar 2021 | Archive Date 18 May 2021

This did not turn out to be one of my favorite books. I felt improvement was needed in characterization and I really didn't believe in the "Love story" part and whether it was really necessary. I did like the friendship part.
Thanks to Ecco and NetGalley for the ARC.

3 star

I liked the premise of this book a bit more than the execution. While I thought Graff employed some wonderfully written sentences at times, overall I thought the plot and characterization fell a bit short. I will say that I thought Fish and Bread were well-drawn characters and the heart of the book is their friendship and interactions. I'm not sure we needed the romance between Cal and Tiffany, or maybe it was just that I found their characters a bit shallow and bland? I found their romance actually quite difficult to believe - we never really saw them interact in any meaningful way and yet they both decide over the course of a couple of days that they love each other? And are having fantasies of marriage and children? I was intrigued by Fish's mother and grandfather as characters, but again, I think they weren't fully fleshed-out. I thought in the end the storyline was a bit too pat and a bit on the corny side - not necessarily a bad thing but I don't think it's quite what this book was marketed as. It let me down a bit in execution but I think that the author has a talent for well-written sentences and atmosphere. I would just like to see the plot and characterization get a little more work.

Raft of Stars by Andrew J. Graff is an excellent debut novel by a Wisconsin native who sets the book near the small riverside town in which he grew up. I was excited to read this because of the description of two boys on the run after they think they have committed a terrible crime: I am a sucker for an outdoor survival story, especially when children are the main characters. But this book is so much more than a mere adventure/survival story. It is a beautifully written novel about relationships, finding your place in the world, and the meaning of home and family. It is about the things we say and the things we don't say and the reasons why. It is about showing kindness even when you feel like you have nothing to give. I loved it!

The book reads very quickly as the plot moves steadily along. The two boys, Fish and Bread, are trying to get to the local armory to find Fish's military father, thinking he will help them. They are being trailed by two men, Fish's grandfather and the local sheriff, a big-city transplant who is struggling to find his way in the small town. The other pair following the boys is Fish's mother along with a local girl who has never escaped the small town in which she grew up. It sounds like a quirky group, but it makes perfect sense as the story plays itself out. I loved all the characters and appreciated how they all learned about themselves on their journeys.

The northern Wisconsin setting was beautifully described and played a big role in the story. The thick woods, the flowing river, the rapids, and the wildlife all felt like characters who determined where the story went.

I will recommend this book to readers who like outdoor adventure and family dramas with a rustic natural setting.

Many thanks to Ecco Publishing and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

“We’re not just poor damn things. Even if it feels true, it’s not the truth. There’s more to us, more for us, right now, right here, in this.”

Ten-year-old Fischer (Fish) Branson has spent the past three summers on his Grandpa Teddy’s farm learning about responsibility and survival. He’s learned how to hunt and fish, how to properly sharpen a knife, how to start a campfire with a flint, and how to fire a shotgun. Fish’s best friend, Dale (Bread) Breadwin, often helps out at the farm during the summers, and finds solace in his times of exploration and adventure with Fish. When readers first meet Fish and Bread, they are attempting to save a mass of misguided baby snapping turtles who need redirection in order to find safety near the water’s edge. While reflecting on the potential harm caused by full-grown snapping turtles, the pair of ten-year-olds can’t help but feel compassion for these “poor damn things” who just need a fair chance in life – much like Bread.

Fish wants desperately to protect Bread from the regular injuries he sustains at the hand of his often-drunken father, begging him to stay one more night with him and his grandpa at the farm. Bread, however, knows he’s already stayed away from home one night too many. He must go home. After walking his buddy to the quiet, mean-looking, paint-chipped house, Fish decides that he can’t leave Bread in danger anymore and returns to Bread’s home with a loaded shotgun in hand. Believing that Mr. Breadwin lay dead on his kitchen floor, the boys make a run for it. They quickly gather supplies from Grandpa Teddy’s barn and are determined to live in the wild to avoid jail. They were murderers.

Sheriff Cal, formerly from Texas, knows nothing about the backwoods of Wisconsin or survival in the wild. He allows Grandpa Teddy to guide him in his search for the boys before they find themselves in greater danger such as coyotes, or bears, or something worse. Soon after they head into the woods, Fish’s mom Miranda and new friend Tiffany take a different path to find her son. They head out on the river in a canoe, Miranda instructing Tiffany on proper paddling techniques, attempting to make up for lost time by using a more direct path. Both search parties face internal and external barriers in their race to save the young boys.

Andrew J. Graff vividly sets the scene for the readers, using intense detail and care when describing the obstacles faced by each pair of sojourners. It was easy to feel the hailstones as they beat down on the boys in the raft on the open water, or to feel Sheriff Cal’s soggy wet-socked foot as he walked along shore with only one boot. Characters are crafted with heart and intention, bringing the story to life. Each triumph and setback are equally paired in their balance of survival.

___

“Here was this river rooting for them, saying in a voice so much quieter than the storm – Come this way. There is more. Fish felt the same odd comfort he felt when his mom prayed, a warmth within the cold.”
___

Throughout the novel there is a subtle religious undertone, sourced through Fish’s mom, Miranda, who is known for her dedication to and trust in God. Given this religious undertone, I can’t help but associate the names of the main character’s, Bread and Fish, with the Bible story about Jesus feeding the five loaves of bread and two fishes to a multitude of people on a hillside. The lesson within that Bible story is one of compassion for people in need. Additionally, a “fish” has been used in various Bible stories as a symbol of deliverance. Graff cleverly weaves these religious themes in this coming-of-age novel as two young boys, two grown men, and two grown women come to terms with the various obstacles in their lives and decisions yet to be made.

Raft of Stars by Andrew J. Graff
Literary Fiction | 304 pages
Published by Harper Collins
*Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by NetGalley. Quotes used in this review are from the ARC and may read differently in the published copy, coming March 23, 2021.

-`ˏ 4 stars ˎ´˗

There was a missed opportunity in naming the boys fish and chips. .

Storyline: -`ˏ 9/10 ˎ´˗
Every summer Fisher Branson (Fish) spends time with his grandfather and his best friend Dale Breadwin (Bread) in Clayplot, Wisconsin. They would jump on their bikes, go to their favorite places, learn to fish and hunt, everything boys their age enjoy doing. Boys being boys, some cuts and bruises are expected, but for Bread, the source of his wounds was more daunting. His father tends to be in a constant state of intoxication driving him in a rage in which he strikes his son. One night, Fish could no longer stand by and watch, gun drawn at Bread's father, it was the only way to free his friend. A crime had been committed, the boys fled into the woods. Their options are now limited but for them, there was no turning back.

Characters: -`ˏ 9/10 ˎ´˗
Bread became desensitized through the normalization of his father's abuse. In spite of this, he is still a good-hearted boy with such a positive attitude, knowing that things may not be good, but he can still push forward for something better. Fish showed a profuse amount of courage for his age, doing something to help his friend, although unethical, that was more than any of the adults offer. We also follow the perspective of Sheriff Cal, a man unsure if he’s cut out for a life in law enforcement. Tiffany, a young woman not happy with where she stands, and a mother and a grandfather plunged into the woods without stopping until they brought the boys home safe and sound.

Atmosphere: -`ˏ 8/10 ˎ´˗
It's very disturbing how the boys played imaginary games by means of getting rid of Bread's father. 10-year-olds or any other child should not have to find themselves in a situation where they find relief by exploring the ideas of killing. Firearms were an important factor in the lives of all the characters, borderline obsessive with the need of having one on them. The reason can be for protection or a source of superiority, I didn't like how trigger happy some situations were.
Trigger warnings: child endangerment, abuse (physical and emotional), alcoholism, gun violence, death of animals, and loss of loved ones
*Inclusion of religious belief and ideas of God

Language: -`ˏ 9/10 ˎ´˗
The story was very well written, there wasn't any confusion in the narrations. The different perspective really shows you how an event can make a difference in the lives of others. However, the romantic element was rather strange in this kind of setting, I understand that it led to a buildup, but if we went into reality for a second, things would not have worked so well.

Enjoyment: -`ˏ 9/10 ˎ´˗
This was intense and really made my heartache. I wanted to read only the boys’ perspective, they took matters into their own hands and used what they learned to help them survive. Their bond is beyond friendship, knowing that there is someone who is ready to weep, fight, and survive for you was honestly beautiful. I was invested in their journey and I am genuinely happy for them.

This ARC was provided by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

It has been awhile since I have become absorbed in a coming of age novel. The adventure and dangers felt real and the suspense of what will happen next kept me reading late into the night. The two boys Bread and Fish were realistic and flawed making them very likeable. I found my heart beating a little faster whenever they were presented with new dangers and obstacles. The 4 adults that go out looking for the boys after they run away are also flawed but a pleasure to read about. The Sherriff Cal has struggles of his own that he is trying to sort out while getting assistance from Fish's Grandpa to navigate the woods the boys went into. Through a series of events, that are a great read, Tiffany a local of the area teams up with Fish's mom Miranda an out of towner. They end up on the search for the boys and develop an unlikely bond. I really don't want to given any details away because the book flows so nicely and there are a few surprises along the way. This novel was a great adventure book that also deals well with the personal development of the characters. I will be recommending this book to as many people as I can.

Raft of Stars is an adventure story which kept me on the edge of my seat, especially while the boys were on the river. I held my breath at times waiting for the outcome. The characters were easy to like and I felt like I wanted to know them. There was humor, fear and excitement. I would recommend young adults read Raft of Stars.

Overview: After a domestic shooting, two friends escape to the woods of Wisconsin to follow the river away from their homes. Four adults soon give chase, racing against time to reach the boys before they roll over the edge of Ironsforge gorge to their deaths. All of them will face their own truths before the end.

The Good: Graff’s writing is easy, yet smart and powerful. His characters are deep and facing life-changing turmoil within themselves. There’s past versus present selves throughout, begging the question of growth and the way we escape or embrace the moments that have defined us. The plot is basic on the surface, but in a classical sort of way. The drama in and between the characters more than makes up for that simplicity. This is a beautiful story that would do well in middle or high school literature studies.

The Bad: By the time I was about 70% into the novel, I began to drag in my reading. It wasn’t that nothing was happening – there was actually more excitement about this point of the story – but I was tired of the wilderness. I feel like I would have loved this story more had it been a long novella instead. And yet, I also would have liked to follow the paths of several characters that seemed to phase in and out during the final third of the novel. It’s a bit conflicting, I know.

The Takeaway: Raft of Stars is a piece of historical fiction that is powerful, emotional, and thought-provoking. The setting is used majestically, and creates a wonderful and entrancing atmosphere throughout. The characters are three-dimensional with conflicts you’ll care to explore. Graff’s debut comes highly recommended for fans of survival and domestic dramas.

Thanks for giving us Bookperk subscribers an early look at RAFT OF STARS by Andrew J. Graff! Stay safe! :)

I really enjoyed this story. I choose it for its cover and was not disappointed in the writing. I will definitely be on the lookout for more from this author.

Raft of Stars takes you on an adventure between two young boys in the Wisconsin woods. There are six main characters, but the real focus is on the boys. I was reminded of other favorite authors like William Kent Krueger because of the depth given to all of the characters. A coming-of-age story, but also so much more than. I love the way Andrew Graff writes and look forward to future novels.

Thank you to Ecco and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Hatchet for grownups. A terrific book for those outdoorsy men who think they don't like to read. This tale of two ten-year old boys, thinking they had killed a man, flee to the wilderness where they experience epic storms, wild animals, and a raging river with a grandfather, a sheriff, a mom, and a convenience store clerk on their tail. It is a good, rousing, page-turning tale and would make a cross-county flight fly by. It would have been a perfect read for my late father-in-law, a rugged outdoorsman who discovered the joy of reading at age 72 with Gary Paulsen's Hatchet. Women characters, while heroic are stereotypical mama bears. It does have some lovely descriptions and captures what age 10 feels like to young adventurers.

This follows two- ten year old boys who are growing up in smalltown back in the woods Wisconsin. The boy are the best of friends and things take a serious turn when one cannot stand by anymore when the other is facing harm. After firing a pistol in defense the boys take off into the woods to run away. There are a cast family and friends that go looking for the boys , along with the fact that each one has their issues they are trying to sort out and cope with. This story keeps you drawn through out with some surprising twist towards the end. This is true demonstration of being my brothers keeper even for two young boys.. I would give this 4 1/2 stars

Raft of Stars was a good coming-of-age novel. I appreciated that Graff wrote the story from the perspective of two ten-year-olds who are on the run from their guardians. It was a unique perspective, and I appreciated the inclusion of four adult characters as well since it provided more layers to the story.

Fish and Bread are the children in the book, and are friends. Fish comes to live with his grandfather Teddy every summer, and Bread lives with his abusive father. Fish tries to rectify the situation of Bread's father, when he sees Bread being abused. It is at this point that they both go on the run through the woods. The supporting cast of characters is rounded out by Cal, the Sheriff, Tiffany, the gas station attendant and town girl, as well as Fish's mother Miranda.

The different perspectives round out the novel, as we are able to see the struggles that they are all going through while coming together to save and rescue the boys.

The imagery evoked in the novel reminded me of Hatchet, or even Tom Sawyer. Very raw, natural, boys in their element doing their thing, living their lives and grappling with decisions they've made. It was a very quick read, and very engaging (I read it in about 3 days). I also loved the ending of the book. There is symbolism involving nature and the past that I think is just very well done, and wraps the book up nicely.

I would have liked to see a bit more of the boys personality, rather than just all of their adventuring with a couple sentimental moments thrown in. Same goes for the adult characters. Miranda is billed as one of the main characters, but we don't get nearly as many details about her as we do Tiffany or even Teddy.

This book will receive a 3.5 star rating, rounded up to 4.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ecco, and the author for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The summary of this book sounded like something William Kent Krueger would write, so I had to give it a try. And I’m so glad I did. This character driven story grabbed me. Fish is ten years old. For the last three summers, his mom has sent him to his grandfather’s farm in northern Wisconsin. Bread is his best friend there. Bread’s dad is alcoholic and abusive, and one day, the boys take matters into their own hands. And then they run off.
Four adults - the grandfather, the mother, the sheriff and a gas station attendant all set off looking for them. The story alternates between all the main characters, young and old. Each is flawed and each is keeping secrets, even Fish. But they were also strong people, people I’d want to know (even the mom who is an avid Pentacostal). The writing is vivid, making each scene easy to imagine. Graff makes the Wisconsin backwoods and the river characters in their own right. I just loved the ending and I shed more than a few tears.
I recommend this to fans of William Kent Krueger and Allen Eskens. Others have called this a coming of age story. But it’s more than that, as the adults grow as much as the kids.
My thanks to netgalley and Ecco for an advance copy of this book.

A brutally beautiful look at the friendship of 2 young boys and the violent act that force them to flee into the woods. The sheriff and grandfather of one of them journey to find them, followed by the boy's mother and a local woman. The landscape plays a major character as well. An adventure story filled with heart and friendship.

I received this from Netgalley.com.

"It’s the summer of 1994 in Claypot, Wisconsin, and the lives of ten-year-old Fischer “Fish” Branson and Dale “Bread” Breadwin are shaped by the two fathers they don’t talk about."

Wonderful debut coming of age (clean) story, appropriate for younger teens. I like the writing style and look forward to reading more by Graff.

4☆

"Raft of Stars" by Andrew J. Graff is a heart wrenching and heart warming story of two ten year old boys and a situation that sends them on the run from the family that would give their lives to save them. It involves a Sheriff and a gas station attendant that also are on the search. I really liked the description of the setting and the skills that the boys have learned to stay alive and hidden from everyone. I really liked this book.

Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read this title. Graff has written an engaging, courageous story about two ten-year-old boys who think they have committed a crime. Fish and Bread have been best friends the past three summers. One day Fish comes upon Bread and his abusive father and decided this time he must do something so he goes back and gets a gun and shoots Bread's father. The boys agree to run away into the northern woods of Wisconsin. The Sheriff and Fish's grandfather work together to locate the boys. It doesn't take long for FIsh's mother, Miranda along with Tiffany, a gas station clerk who writes poetry and has a crush on the Sheriff, to make the decision to strike out on their own to find the boys. Tension builds as the narrative unfolds, The further the boys get, the deeper you get pulled into their story. The characters are well written and the plot is compelling.