The Serpent Came to Gloucester

Written by M. T. Anderson

Narrated by John McDonough

National Book Award Finalist M. T. Anderson is acclaimed for his thought-provoking children's books. This captivating Junior Library Guild Selection is a rhyming dramatization based on 19th-century accounts of a mysterious sea creature swimming the coastal waters of Massachusetts. As startling news sweeps the summer streets, a curious lad races toward the harbor in disbelief. And yet it's true! There, frolicking in the water is an enormous sea serpent. The wide-eyed boy can plainly see it. And so can the crowd gathering on Cape Ann's sandy shores. For weeks, the youth watches the majestic monster-until, suddenly, it disappears.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 15, 2013
• ISBN: 9781470353933

M. T. Anderson

M. T. Anderson is the critically acclaimed author of many picture books and novels, including Feed, which was a National Book Award finalist, and The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing,, Traitor to the Nation, Volume 1: The Pox Party, which won a National Book Award and was a Michael L. Printz Honor Book.

Reviews for The Serpent Came to Gloucester

[stomas5 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Summary: This children's book is about a legend of a mysterious sea serpent lingering in the waters off the coast of Massachusetts in 1817. Villagers claimed sightings and there were many hunts to catch the dangerous beast. This story describes one specific encounter in which the villagers come face to face with the sea creature. It is a legend passed down from generation to generation and is still believed to be true today. Argument: This children's book is a great account of an historical legend that I recommend teachers to have in their classrooms. The first reason I enjoyed this story was for its format and layout. The text of the story is arranged like a poem with rhyming words and phrases but it tells the story of a legend. For example, on page 1 it states, "When the limpets were thick on the rocks...for the fish laid to dry on the docks". This not only helps the readers get into a reading rhythm but engages them in the story and keeps their attention. The second reason I enjoyed this book was its repetition of a song or poem at the bottom of every page. For example, on page 1 it states, "It came from the sea, the lonely sea, it came from the glittering sea". This line is repeated along with others during the story and seems to summarize the text that is listed above it. It seems like it could be a part of an old song or folklore related to the actual legend. Children will love repeating this phrase while reading and it could be a good form of instruction in a read-aloud or shared reading. The last reason I liked this book was for the author's note in the back of the book. It may not seem like a lot but it gives actual information and facts on the history behind the legend of the great sea serpent. Children will love reading the history behind the story and deciding for themselves whether they believe the legend is real or not. The main message of this story is to inform readers on the history behind the legend of the Massachusetts Bay sea serpent. It is meant to pass the information along to a new generation and provide them with a poem-like retelling of the 1817's in Massachusetts.

[whisper1_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Based on a true happening, in 1817, the townsfolk watched in fear, and in awe as for a few weeks a snake like serpent appeared off the coast of Gloucester. I'm not fond of snakes, and even images of them give me the creeps, yet, the artistry of Bagram Ibatoulline is worth the read.Written with a poetic lilt, both the words and images are powerful. After the dancing in the waters for a relatively short period of time, the serpent was never seen again. Though the serpent never harmed anyone, with a fear of the unknown, many townspeople tried to spear the giant creative of many twists and twirls. Unsuccessful in their attempt, the legend lives on.