Song for the Navigator

There are problems at home and Gabby is sent to his grandfather on a tiny South Pacific island for the summer. On Satawal, Gabby's blind grandfather, Samal, is "the navigator." He "feels" the waves with his body, he "sees" the sky, and he predicts the weather two weeks away. He knows all the old magic and wants Gabby to learn the traditional ways of navigation. Reluctantly, Gabby agrees. When Gabby and his cousin, Tilifag, set sail for an outer island by themselves, an unexpected storm swamps their canoe. They lose their charts, compass and walkie-talkie. Only by remembering Samal's ancient chant is Gabby able to guide them to safety. When the summer ends, Gabby leaves Satawal with a new understanding of himself and the meaning of friendship, and with a profound love for his grandfather.