The Surfrider: A Midwestern Odyssey

By Thomas Paul Rogo

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1573060828
• ISBN13: 9781573060820
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Bess Pr Inc
• Length: 70 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.3" x 0.5" x 8.8"
• Age Range: 8 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 3 and higher

Customer Reviews

A Must Reading for all aquatic adventurers.

The Surfrider is truely a fantasitc book. The beautiful color illustrations and storyline made it one of the best books for both myself (a long time surfer)and my 11 yr old son (future surfer). One of the best attempts a writer has made, at trying to convey to the reader, the thrill of learning to surf and finally catching that first wave! After you have enjoyed this wonderful book, it will also make for a great art piece to keep around and display the fantastic colorful paintings. For sure one of my sons best books ever!

The colors are amazing!

After allowing the rich colors of the cover to to smooth around my being for many minutes, I opened the book. I was back in grade one in Canada standing up to take my turn to read , holding a book this size with the same style of art in 1957! Reading aloud at that time is one of the few accademic experiences that I treasure.The story in the Surfrider is fantastic as well. If you love adventure and need beautiful art to nourish your soul,then buy this little treasure. Aloha!

An enchanting adventure

Through exceptional Norman Rockwell-style art and an enchanting story line, this nostalgic book gently reminds us to follow our dreams. While reading a book sent by his globetrotting Aunt Frances, young Earl is electrified by a photograph of Duke Kahanamoku riding a wave. Despite the fact that he's surrounded by Illinois cornfields, and the only nearby body of water is Mr. McDougall's pond, Earl decides he must learn to surf. Everyone thinks this impossible, except for Earl's grandfather. Grandpa says there are two kinds of people in the world. "The Mechanics," like doctors, ditch diggers, plumbers and bureaucrats, keep the planet running smoothly. And then, he tells Earl, there are the Dreamers. "The Dreamers drive the imagination of the world to new places. They discover and reinvent our universe for the rest of us to live in. You could say the Dreamers provide the light so the Mechanics can go to work. I should think that you, Earl, are one of these Dreamers." Surfers will be pleased by the author's ability to capture that first magic moment of being able to actually ride on water. Rogo, an avid surfer living in San Diego, dedicates the book to Kahanamoku. It is no coincidence, Rogo tells me, that Earl, like Duke, has an English title for a name. While the publisher designates the book for all ages, it should particularly appeal to children ten and older.