Call It Courage

Ever felt like fear is holding you back from your true potential? Imagine being so afraid of the very thing that defines your people that you're cast out. Discover how one boy, terrified of the sea, must confront his deepest fears to survive alone on a deserted island. This is the story of Mafatu, a chief's son shamed by his aquaphobia. You'll follow his perilous journey as he battles the ocean, wild beasts, and his own inner demons. Learn how he transforms crippling fear into life-saving courage, proving that true strength isn't the absence of fear, but facing it head-on.

Armstrong Sperry was an acclaimed American writer and illustrator whose profound fascination with Polynesian culture earned him the prestigious 1941 Newbery Medal for Call It Courage. His extensive travels throughout the South Pacific, including a year spent living on the island of Bora Bora, gave him firsthand knowledge of the legends and landscapes that inspired this timeless tale. Sperry’s own adventurous spirit and deep respect for the people he met allowed him to authentically capture the story of a boy overcoming his greatest fears.