90 pages • 3 hours read
Priscilla CummingsRed Kayak
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2004A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Red Kayak by Priscilla Cummings is a coming-of-age story set near the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, following 13-year-old Brady Parks as he navigates life changes, including the death of his neighbors' toddler son, Ben, due to the sinking of their kayak. Tension arises as Brady eventually uncovers the involvement of his friends in the incident, leading to moral dilemmas and legal consequences. Themes of loss and grief are present throughout the novel.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Red Kayak by Priscilla Cummings is commended for its compelling narrative and well-developed characters, capturing the complexities of guilt and responsibility in a suspenseful plot. Criticisms include some predictability in its moral lessons and occasional clichéd dialogue. Overall, it’s praised as an engaging read for young adults tackling ethical dilemmas.
Who Should Read Red Kayak?
Readers who relish gripping, morally complex stories would enjoy Red Kayak by Priscilla Cummings. Similar to Holes by Louis Sachar and Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, it appeals to middle schoolers who love realistic fiction dealing with themes of guilt, responsibility, and friendship.
RecommendedReading Age
10-14yearsLexile Level
800L