The Flight to Seven Swan Bay

By: June O. Leavitt

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Synopsis: Grades 4-6. A survival story with a unique twist: 15 Orthodox Jews are flying to an isolated Jewish community, taking with them a gift of a Torah scroll. Their plane, leaking fuel, makes an emergency landing on a lake surrounded by forests. The passengers (young children, teens and adults) evacuate the damaged plane and try to survive in the autumnal forest, all the while maintaining their Orthodox life style. With structure, order and cooperation, they ingeniously devise utensils and tools and prepare food. Despite unhappiness, despair and worry, they are supportive of one another and operate as a community until rescued. The writing is uneven, and at times awkward, but there is suspense and adventure. Black-and-white drawings are stiff but adequate. Adult characterization is good, but the children, with one or two exceptions, are thinly developed. George's My Side of the Mountain (Dutton, 1967) and Julie of the Wolves (Harper, 1972) are superior books. However, this book has a place in collections where the unusual combination of wilderness survival and Jewish orthodoxy will be wanted. A glossary and chapter notes explain Hebrew terms and religious laws referred to in the text. Ruth Shire, Mount Vernon Public Library, N.Y. Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.