The Fishing Summer

Alison Mews is co-ordinator of the Centre for Instructional Services at
Memorial University of Newfoundland.

An unnamed boy and his mother spend a special summer fishing with his
uncles in their Atlantic coastal community. On the last night, the boy
is given a taste of his uncle’s coffee. The taste, both sweet and
bitter, serves as a good metaphor for the story, for we learn on the
next page that in the present the fish plant has closed and the fish are
all gone—the boy’s memories of fishing as an 8-year-old are indeed
bittersweet.

Although framed as a reminiscence, the narrative has an immediacy that
is reinforced by the copious use of dialogue. The child’s perspective
on inshore fishing is fresh, but it is the strength of the family bonds
that speaks most directly to the reader. Even though the sad and rather
hopeless ending may surprise young readers, the poignancy of a vanished
way of life is portrayed in terms that they can easily grasp.

Ange Zhang’s illustrations are simply splendid. The shimmery and
vivid water scenes have such energy that you can almost hear the waves
lapping against the sides of the boat. Zhang, who uses
iridescent-colored acrylics, has designed his pictures with a keen eye
to perspective and mood. Highly recommended.