Clare Vanderpool's Navigating Early is lauded for its lyrical prose and rich storytelling, blending adventure with poignant themes of friendship and loss. Reviewers applaud the deep character development and the intricate, symbolic narrative. However, some critique its pacing as slow and certain elements as convoluted. Overall, it captivates with its heartfelt, introspective journey.

Readers who enjoy Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool are typically middle-grade enthusiasts who appreciate heartfelt adventure and friendship tales, much like fans of Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson or Holes by Louis Sachar. They seek emotional depth, historical settings, and compelling character journeys.

After his mother's death, 13-year-old Jack Baker, struggling with grief and loneliness, is enrolled in a boarding school in Maine, where he befriends Early Auden, an eccentric classmate grieving his own losses. The two set off on an adventure to find a legendary bear, guided by Early's belief in the story told by the number pi, encountering various characters and challenges that shape their understanding of empathy and alternate perspectives.

Mysterious / Adventurous / Emotional / Heartwarming / Nostalgic

- Clare Vanderpool wrote Navigating Early as her second novel, following her Newbery Medal-winning debut, Moon Over Manifest.
- Navigating Early combines elements of adventure and mystery, drawing inspiration from classic literary tales and sailing expeditions. 
- The novel intricately weaves mathematical concepts like the number pi into the storyline, adding a layer of depth and intrigue to the narrative.

**John "Jack" Baker III**  
A 13-year-old boy, protagonist, and narrator who struggles with grief after his mother's death, adjusting to life at a boarding school and forming a significant friendship with fellow student Early Auden.

**Early Auden**  
At 13 years old, Jack's first friend at Morton Hill Academy has unique abilities and interests that set him apart, embarking on a quest that both challenges and deepens his connection with Jack.

**Captain John Baker Jr.**  
Jack's father, a military man whose return from World War II coincides with navigating the aftermath of his wife's death and reconnecting with his son.

**Fisher "The Fish" Auden**  
Early's older brother and a renowned athlete at Morton Hill, whose supposed fate during the war catalyzes Early's adventurous search.

**Archibald MacScott**  
The antagonist, a hunter entangled in his own pursuits whose path crosses with Jack and Early during their journey.

Clare Vanderpool

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Prologue-Interlude 3

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Chapter 19-Interlude 8

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Chapter 27-Epilogue

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