Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Martel, Y.(2001). Life of Pi. New York: Harcourt. ISBN: 0151008116

Plot Summary: Pi’s family decides to relocate their zoo from India to New York on a large ship. While out at sea, a storm hits and causes a shipwreck, Pi is left shipwrecked with a tiger, a zebra, and orangutan. He struggles to survive using the little resources he has. While he is out at sea, he learns to deal with the difficulties that people face when they are struggling to survive. He puts all of his life skills to the test while dealing with the animals he has on board, especially Richard Parker, the tiger. Although his travels were ruined and he was left to survive at sea, Pi soon realizes the incredible amount of strength he possesses.

Critical Evaluation: The story was a bit difficult to get into at first considering it was long and detailed background on the reasoning for the transferring of the zoo from one country to another. But once the shipwreck occurred, readers will be drawn in and will find it difficult to even put the book down. The main character, Pi, has an amazing way of getting himself through his horrible situation both physically and mentally. Amazingly, he is found and is taken home. But at the end, there is a twist that will make you rethink the whole story. After I had finished, I wanted to read it again to figure out of the story was skewed by his state of delirium or if his story was that of a miracle.

Information about the Author: Yann Martel is a Canadian author who was born in Spain. He has lived in several countries throughout the world including France, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Canada. He has done lots of traveling and has won several awards for his work.

Annotation: Pi is on a ship with zoo animals heading for America when he is shipwrecked in the middle of the ocean. He is left to survive at sea with a tiger and the hope to someday be found.

Genre: Travel and survival

Curriculum Ties: India, religion

Booktalking Ideas: The librarian will read a first person narrative of Pi and his experiences with having to survive at sea with a tiger.

Reading Level/Interest Age: 9th-12th grade

Challenge Issues: : none

Reason for Inclusion: Yann Martel has won several awards including the Man Booker Prize, Hugh MacLennan Prize, the Governor General’s Award, and the Journey Prize. Although he is an adult author, Life of Pi is a story that could be cherished by teens.