The+Big+Snapper

by Katherine Holubitsky

For as long as he can remember Edie has heard his granddad’s stories of the Big Snapper. The Big Snapper is a huge fish his grandfather has tried to catch numerous times. His granddad’s stories are really tall tales and things happen in his stories that Eddie knows could never be true, yet he loves to listen to them. Eddie’s dad has taken off to work on the mainland and Eddie and his mother have not heard from him in a long time. Eddie is very angry at his dad for abandoning their family. Thank goodness he has his grandfather to rely on and talk things over with. But then his grandfather gets really sick.

Read page 85 - It is raining of course to lost their strength.

Grandfather is in the hospital on the mainland when Eddie’s father shows up. Eddie is confused and angry. He decides he needs some time to himself and decides that he is old enough to take his granddads boat out by himself.

Read page 97 - It is a quiet midmorning breeze.

Eddie starts fishing and then it happens. Eddie knows he has caught the Big Snapper. The fish his granddad has been telling all the stories about.

Read page 99- from He is probably a mile to page 100 - tossed right out of the boat.

Eddie has to make a decision. Should he risk his life in a storm and hold onto the line or should he let the big fish go. Then he remembers something his granddad said “Make him think you’re strong, stronger than he is. Make him think you’re a very BIG man.” Eddie decides to hang onto the rod. This decision could cost him his life.

Does Eddie catch the big fish? Does his grandfather get better? Does Eddie’s dad decide to stay? For the answer to these questions you must read The Big Snapper by Katherine Holubitsky.