Call It Courage

Written by Armstrong Sperry

Narrated by Lou Diamond Phillips

Mafatu's name means "Stout Heart," but his people call him a coward. Ever since the sea took his mother's life and spared his own, he has lived with deep fear. And even though his father is the Great Chief of Hikueru-an island whose seafaring people worship courage-he is terrified, and consequently, he is severely scorned.

By the time he is twelve years old, Mafatu can bear it no longer. He must conquer his fear alone. . . even if it means certain death.

This classic tale of a young boy's hidden strength has been a favorite of readers of all ages since its 1940 publication-now this exclusive audio preserves its original poignancy and splendor, and brings Mafatu to life for future generations of listeners.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio
• Release date: Jul 5, 2000
• ISBN: 9780553752304

Armstrong Sperry

Armstrong Sperry (1897–1976) is the author of many books for young readers, including Call It Courage, All Sail Set, Lost Lagoon, and Hull-Down for Action.

Reviews for Call It Courage

[calabrom2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a book I read to my students when we discuss people over coming their fears. The main character, Mafatu has a fear of the sea because it took his mother when he was younger. The book describes his journey as he overcomes his fear with the help of his dog Uri. Students really used their imagination to picture him on his journey. I really enjoyed this book!

[katherinec032 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Call it courage is a book about a boy made Mafatu who was afraid of the sea because when he was three,he almost drowned,and killed his mother. He was always call 'Mafatu:The boy who was afraid.' And his father was ashamed of him. So,Mafatu set off with his dog,Uri,and his bird,Kivi. They went to a island that he thought was deserted. He lived there for many weeks. When Mafatu finally got away,he returned home with his wild pig tusk necklace and knife and returned home. His father was no longer ashamed of him and Mafatu was never again called Mafatu:The Boy Who Was Afraid. Instead he was called Mafatu:Stout Heart.

[queenoftheshelf · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Mafatu is afraid of the ocean, which is problematic considering he lives on an unnamed Polynesian island. Even more problematic is the fact that he is the son of the chief and his name means "Stout Heart". The time is coming when he should be learning to fish in open water, but his fear gets the better of him. One day, after hearing his friends mocking him in secret, he decides to prove them wrong, setting out alone on the open ocean, where he is thrashed by a great storm and shipwrecked on an island that may be inhabited by cannibals. Can Mafatu fend for himself and prove everyone wrong?The greatest advantage of Call it Courage, by Armstrong Sperry, is that it is a fascinating peek into Polynesian life. This is also the greatest disadvantage, when we are left wondering what certain words mean, or are unable to imagine what certain activities are without any frame of reference. The writing is somewhat lyrical at times, making ample use of metaphors. Students in Grade 6 and above, who are not quite ready for My Side of the Mountain or Hatchet, will definitely enjoy this short jaunt.

[tjsjohanna_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I particularly enjoyed reading this because my parents spent part of their teenage years in Tonga and Hawaii. I grew up hearing stories of their adventures and seeing examples of the various handicrafts my grandparents had brought home from their stay. This short telling of a Hikueru legend is appealing to all those of us who have struggled with fear and who have desired to be brave. In addition, the descriptions of how Mafatu survives his adventures are exciting and interesting.

[debnance_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mafatu is afraid. His mother died in the sea and now he fears it. All his people know of his fear. His father is saddened by his fear.At last, Mafatu decides to face his fears. He sails off into the sea and ends up on a remote island. He must confront sharks, dangerous man-eating people, lack of food and water, an octopus, and a lack of a ship to return home.

[goodnightmoon_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book was so quick and enjoyable - exactly what an adventure story should be. The action was paced just right and the descriptions were clear. I'm amazed how well this has stood the test of time - kids today could easily read this and love it. The only thing that was missing for me was a takeaway message or thought - a theme.

[patrickb5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It is about a indian boy who lives with a tribe on a island. He runs away his home town. He survives with his and then they finally go home. The boy is afraid of Moana, The sea god. This is a good Book!

[daleallenraby · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read this one when it first came out as a child. It eventually led me to Jim Kjelgaard, Jack London and other writers of adventure stories. Call it Courage was probably the first story I read that sort of expanded my horizons beyond my world in NE Wisconsin of the 1960's & early 1970's. Even in 2021, the story is not at all dated and I highly recommend it to any youngster looking to step outside of his comfort zone.

[fuzzi_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The tale of a young man who is considered a coward due to his fear of the ocean, and what happens when he faces it, alone.I loved this story in my youth and enjoyed it again as an adult.

[jjmcgaffey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very rich story. Interesting descriptions of making the materials of a Polynesian life - weapons, tools, canoe, cloth, fire... The story is very simple, and the end is pretty much obvious from the start - though I wasn't sure the dog would make it through. Nice, and interesting. I may want to reread it sometime - though it's a very thin book, wouldn't be hard to memorize even.

[vhartpowers · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It's a good story of a young boy afraid of the ocean. But as he gets older, he is still afraid of it and in his tribe this is frowned upon. Finally he hears a friend tell what he thought everyone was thinking; that he does woman's work and he is a coward. His father is chief. How can he get courage and the respect of his father and tribe?
Though we liked this story, it just doesn't hold a candle to Paulsen books.

[klburnside · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The 1941 Newbery winner, this is the tale of a young Polynesian boy overcoming his fear of the sea. As a young boy, Mafatu sees his mother die in the ocean during a storm. This instills in him a great fear of the sea, making him an outcast in his society where high value is placed upon bravery, and even more so because he is the son of the chief. After years of ridicule, determined to prove his bravery, Mafatu sets out in his canoe, gets caught in a storm, and lands on a distant island, where he is forced to come to terms with his fears. The story is full of adventure and creates a nice sense of place, but it wasn't one of my favorites.

[Gabe Fiji · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

beautiful.

[angela.knox · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Summary:Mafatu was afraid of the sea because it had taken his mother when he was a baby. He believed the sea god, Moana, would take his life too if he entered the sea. Everyone in the island of Hikueru branded him a coward. Mafatu had only two friends, a dog named Uri and an albatross named Kivi. He decided one day that he was going to leave the island and face his fear. He wanted to make his father, the Great Chief of Hikueru, proud. So he left on his canoe, with his dog and albatross and entered the sea. He faced a store and days on a desert island. He found himself very resourceful beyond his own expectations. He made his own knife out of whale bone, which he used to kill an octopus. He also killed a wild boar and a hammerhead using a spear he found. He built his own canoe and escaped the eaters-of-men. He proved his courage and returned home to his island. His father was very proud of him. Personal Reaction:This story is a great read for 5th graders or above. I really enjoyed the story. The author has a great way of making you feel like you're in the story. It also teaches a great lesson of courage and believing in yourself. Classroom Extension Ideas:1. In the classroom, form a literature circle and discuss the book with the class as a group. 2. Have the students engage in creative writing and express their thoughts and feelings towards the story.

[samuelsaiz-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Summary:I remember reading this book when I was younger. From what I remember this book is about a boy who is afraid of the sea because he almost drowned when he was younger. The sad thing is that he also lost his mother when almost drowned. After that he became fearful of the water and scared to enter it again. His village starts referring to him as a coward. He leaves and goes to an island to get away from all the comments. While at the island he has to do everything for himself including finding food. He eventually returns back to his village as a hero. After that he is never called a coward anymore.Reflection:I would use this book to teach the kids about being able to overcome their fears. I would teach them that they should never give up and accept the fact that you have been scared of something before. Even if you fail, you must get up and try again. I think it could be used to teach the kids about other cultures also.

[mirrani_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Call it Courage is a book that was required reading when I was growing up and I recently picked up the book again, just so that I could relive it as an adult. I feel like this book does well in that area and that people who explored the world again when they were older, as I did, might find even more in it than they did when they were younger. The writing involving the Polynesian culture greatly helps to understand the mentality around fear within a culture that is less "modern" than our own and I found that really very refreshing when I read it this time.Typically you see a very short book about a single character and you think to yourself that there isn't any way the story can be interesting or entertaining, especially to an adult, but this story has a satisfying balance between outer, physical battles necessary to move the plot forward, and inner, emotional battles within the character Mafatu himself, that move his character forward. As an adult, with life experience behind you, you might find some parts predictable, but as a child you will most likely devour each page, wondering what happens next.

[thornestaff · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When I was in elementary school, a librarian did a book talk on Call it Courage, and after all these years I finally picked it up and read it.It is a compelling read about a boy afraid of the sea, and his efforts to conquer the fear and make his village -- and his father -- proud. So he sets off on a perilous adventure to prove himself, along with his dog and, occasionally, an albatross.Call it Courage is a Newberry award winner, and it is easy to see why it was chosen. The writing is concise, and immediately captured my attention. I had to finish it in one sitting to find out what happened to Mafatu (the protagonist) and his companions.Survival stories have often been popular choices for boys and girls alike, and reading Call it Courage has reminded me of other survival stories I have read throughout the years: Island of the Blue Dolphins, Hatchet, and My Side of the Mountain immediately come to mind. These stories demonstrate courage and resourcefulness, and it is fun to read them from the safety of one's home, with ample food, water, and safety!

[resaliens_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A Newbery winner, this slim historical children's fiction was written in 1940. And while the story holds up, it is a bit racist by today's standards (featuring a young Polynesian islander on the look out for those black, savage man-eaters!). More novella than novel, this simple coming-of-age story does offer a young reader plenty to imagine. It's a contemplative read for the student who loves to dive into the setting of a story of survival (a la Robinson Crusoe). That being said, I feel it lacks the action that is needed, sadly, to keep most media-bombarded youngsters turning the pages. The ending is a bit ambiguous allowing for a nice but not necessarily deep conversation with a parent or teacher. Recommended for the right kind of 4th through 6th grade student.

[the_hibernator · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mafatu is afraid of the ocean because he almost drowned when he was a boy. But in his culture, fear is scorned and laughed at. Mafatu feels that he must redeem his good name and prove that he is not afraid anymore. He climbs in a boat and goes on a voyage, but he soon finds himself shipwrecked on an apparently-deserted island. There, he keeps himself alive by making all of his own tools, weapons, and a new canoe. He battles a tiger shark, an octopus, and a boar. He defies the cannibals when they return to their island. But will he be able to return home? This was a cute book, and I enjoyed the adventure - though it's very short and all the adventure is packed in at a very unrealistic pace. Regardless, I really enjoyed the couple of hours I spent with it. I think a young reader might find this book fun. It's appropriate for someone reading at maybe the 3rd grade level.

[krissa_6 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this one. I always think it is hard to pull off a story where there is only one character, but Sperry does this very well. There is lots of outer (as well as inner) conflict to keep the story going. There was a consistent ‘what happens next?’ feel to it that kept it going. As a younger person I would have wondered if he was going to make it, and that would have kept me reading on. As an adult, you know how it has to end, so you lose a bit of that element. Oddly, I kept trying to relate it to Steinbeck’s The Pearl in my mind. All in all, a quick enjoyable read. But one I am glad I read as an adult, not sure if I would have understood the ‘layers’ when I was younger.

[eburkham · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mafatu is a young boy whose mother died at sea when he was a toddler while saving him during a hurricane. Mafatu is deeply afraid of the ocean as he grows older the fear does not subside. Even though his father is the Chief and Mafatu’s name means brave heart other tribesmen heckle him for being afraid and without courage. Mafatu decides he is going to concur his fears and make his father proud of him. He leaves his island of Hikueru and gets caught in a hurricane. He eventually makes it to an unoccupied island. Mafatu gets to work making a shelter, canoe, and knives. He catches fish, kills a shark, wild pig, and an octopus while at the island. He discovers that there is an idol on the island that the man-eaters come and worship every so often. On his last night on the island he is awakened by a drumming. He realizes it is the men-eaters and they try to capture him. He narrowly escapes back out to see and heads home to the island of Hikueru in hopes of making his father and tribesmen proud of him. He wants them all to know that he is no longer without courage. This story is all about conflict and perseverance. Many times throughout life we encounter struggles against nature, others, and ourselves. I love the way this book is encouraging you to keep on trying and like Mafatu you can over come.I would have my students discuss different ways Mafatu helped himself to survive. I would ask a person in the community to come into the classroom and show the students different ways they could help themselves in nature.I would have my students divide a poster board in to halves. On one half I would have my students draw pictures of items they may come across in nature that could be harmful to them. On the other half I would ask them to draw pictures of items they could use to help them to survive in nature.