A sort of surreal, sad story. Very quick read. Had a very "translated from the French" feel to it. If you think you'd like a kind of post-modern fairy tale (and not in a girly way b/c this is actually pretty male-centered) you might like this. ( )

This book was written in French and translated into English. He is 10 years old and the size of a toddler, but considered by all his brothers to be very wise. He tells his brothers they must leave home because their parents are planning to “harm them.” They believe him and he leads them on a journey to the sea. The Pull of the Ocean is told from the viewpoints of Yann’s brothers and many others who encounter the 7 on their way to the sea. We do not hear from Yann until the end of the story. The different characters telling their stories allows us to experience a variety of viewpoints in French society. It is obvious that the characters are not American and do not consider things as Americans would. This book promotes understanding of a different culture by keeping the uniquely French viewpoint in the English translation. It is based on the traditional fantasy of Le petit poucet, a French version of Tom Thumb.
I would use this book in a beginning level French class. It is a fun read and would introduce some intrest in France. ( )

This book was a good read, but could easily be difficult for emerging readers. The multiple points of view make it hard to follow along when there are various narrators. It is a sad story and the reader isn't left with much closure in regards to knowing the outcome for the main characters. ( )

Awards: 2007 Mildred L. Batchelder Award Winner, 2007 ALA Notable Children's Book

This book is based on Charles Perrault's "Tom Thumb.” The story is about seven brothers and their adventure. The youngest one is named Yann. He is ten years old, but too small like a two year old. He is the cleverest among his brothers. One night Yann overhears his parents talking; the father Louis tells his wife Marthe that he wants to kill all of the seven boys in the morning. Yann wakes his brothers up on a stormy night and convinces them to leave the farm. Al l the brothers followed him without any question and their journey begins.
The book is well written and the story is well-paced. The characters are enchanting and dynamic. The relationship between brothers is heartwarming, and they protect each other from danger and support one another. It is a first person narrative story and appealing for the age 9-12. It is an open-ended story though and leaves the reader vague and unsatisfied. ( )

Yann, a 10-year-old mute dwarf, is a highly intelligent young boy who unfortunately finds himself being raised by two stupid, abusive parents incapable of fostering their child's potential. It disappoints me how often this is the case in life and I don't know if I'll understand how so few parents are willing to put forth what minimal effort is required to encourage their children with positivity.

Yann lives in poverty with his 6 siblings, composed of 3 sets of twins, and when he overhears his parents talking about 'killing the 7 of them' he decides to escape and lead them all on a quest to reach the ocean.

The story is told from every perspective except Yann's, be it one of his brothers, his parents, the truck driver who gives them all a ride, or the baker that gives them food. It has an interesting effect on the narrative, feeling more personal than a nameless narrator yet now clouding the story with a single person's opinions.

The book apparently parallels a famous English folk tale, Tom Thumb, which I am unfamiliar with unfortunately. It didn't hinder my enjoyment of it, although I suspect some of the intricacies were lost on me. It was a pleasant experience nonetheless. ( )