The Academy Boys in Camp

  

The Academy Boys in Camp

by S. F. Spear (1909)

 A mystery hangs over the boys at Massillon Academy. A foolish prank--easily forgiven--has turned into a more serious affair: a falsehood, and something that their teacher, Mr. Bernard, considers of the utmost gravity. Only honest, well-liked Joe knows the culprit, and he has promised not to tell, bringing Mr. Bernard to take more desperate measures to expose the liar.

 Fleeing the school in shame, Ralph Drayton feels that he can never again face his father, Mr. Bernard, or his fellow students. He and his friend board a small fishing vessel, to escape the pricks of their own consciences, and encounter much inconvenience and distress. Even if he returned, Ralph is sure that he can expect neither welcome nor forgiveness--or can he?

 Come with the Academy Boys to Whaleback island to fish, swim, row, gather "specimens", explore the island, and just enjoy some healthy fun. What wonderful adventures does the island have in store?       

 

Lessons:

Honesty, Compassion, Forgiveness, Respect, Self-Improvement.

*Strong moral values, but no mention of salvation

Elements for Parental Consideration:

"Queer"=odd(8); "fiddlesticks"; "plague on them"

Joe admits he knows the culprit, but respectfully refuses to tell who did it. He refuses to lie, but also refuses to tell; mention of the sea being "a perfect witch's cauldron" (dictionary seems to translate it as "as stormy as a witch's anger"); several boys complain of the teacher's rules (Joe defends him); Mr. Bernard gives the boys a day with no supervision, which starts out very nicely, but after some of them get into danger, the boys wish that a teacher were there, saying that they'd had enough "freedom"; (afterward, they laughingly talk and joke about "Liberty Day"); some of the boys are disrespectful toward Mr. Bernard (corrected); a few mentions of pipes (tobacco); a mention of "mermaids", one boy is jokingly called a "merman", after getting soaked; the boys swim; a mention of "a whoop that would have delighted the heart of a red Indian" (some may consider it racist--if that's you, get over it!)

                                                                  

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