There is something special about the island life. It changes you. The island is something to be cared for, improve, and in turn takes care of you. This was a gritty story about the hard life of living on the island. The struggles to balance money, schooling, and fishing. The characters in the story feel real. As many difficulties get in their way, the family adapts, and survives as they always do. The island life isn't for all, but for some it's all there is.