Summary
The Brotherband Chronicles by John Flanagan is a coming of age story about a Skandian boy who's father was a mighty warrior in battle that died before Hal was born. Hal's mom is from Araluen which means he is only half Skandian. This causes him a smaller stature and less Skandian features. He gets bullied and grows up as an outcast for most of his childhood until he finally finds two friends in Stig and Thorn. Stig is a kid his age thats father also left which helps them hit it off and Thorn is an old friend of his dads that promised to care for Hal. They help Hal with his projects he takes on which are nothing short of genius. Both Stig and Hal have Brotherband training in a few weeks and are worried. Brotherband training teaches all the age 16 boys in the town what they need to know about being a sailor. It is a rigorious month long training that qualifies you to be in a crew once you graduate. To begin you need to be put into a Brotherband which is picked by the captains. Stig is chosen to a team but refuses to go unless Hal can be in his brotherband. It doesn't work out so Hal become a captain of a third team that goes on to win the Brotherband challenge against all odds. He is a natural born leader, navigator, and engineer. Because they win the games they get the chance to gaurd the Andomal. This is the most prized possession in all of Skandia and while Hal goes to check on his boat he comes back and all his crew is asleep and the Andomal is gone.
Themes
- Everyone in a team has a purpose
- Hard work makes up for talent
- Being popular isn't what matters
Favorite Quote
“What a brotherband!" he declared. "A thief, a touchy first mate, a shortsighted bear, a joker, two twins who can't tell each other apart, a bookworm and a skirl who doesn't know the right shape for a ship's sail." He beamed at all of them, then added, "I can't think of better qualities in a wolfship's crew”(307).
This quote show that you don't need the perfect people to make a team but you need a wide array of talent to even out your team.
Argument
Hark work wins, maybe not every time but when it matters.
Essay
Outwork Your Opponents
Beating your opponents doesn’t take a crazy amount of luck or talent. In The Brotherband Chronicles by John Flanagan it shows the reader that hard work will consistently win you victory time and time again. Hal works hard to achieve his goals and cultivate his talents as he rises to the top. Through perseverance, extremely hard work, and discipline anybody can excel at whatever they wish to do.
Throughout the novel Hal, the main character, develops a sense of perseverance that carries through Brotherband training and all his life. Hal is ingenious with his inventions and with all his successes is his fair share of failures. He always gets back up to fight another day and simply won’t stop until his inventions work. “They don’t always go wrong,’ Thorn said. ‘Some of them are surprisingly good. The heating system he designed for your dining room was quite ingenious”(40). Thorn, his father figure, helps him in his execution of his plans. He helps grow Hal’s diligence to go on and do the task.
When Brotherband training starts and Hal is chosen as a captain he immediately trains himself to think and act differently. He makes everyone work hard at their tasks and he works the hardest. He devises plans and strategies to beat the other team as well as even learning how to punch to defend himself. He is also a very good learner. “I’ll remember that,’ Hal said. Thorn knew he would. The boy took instruction well, he thought”(206). He listens and executes precisely how he is told. This allows him to get the upper hand on technique.
Another thing that sets Hal’s Brotherband above the rest is their discipline. Ingvar, the huge boy with awesome strength, is the discipline man. He helps make sure that the members listen and obey. “Ingvar, from now on you’re our master-at-arms. He stood up and looked at Ingvar. [...] If anyone annoys me, you squash him”(187). This aspect brings it all together to help prompt the Brotherband to do what is asked and do it correctly the first time.
In the story the author showed the reader that when hard work is put up against talent or skill they have the upper hand. If a team or individual has perseverance, hard work, and discipline they will always have the upper hand on an opponent that doesn't engage in these. I know from experience that hard work will prevail not every time but will deliver when it matters most.
Outwork Your Opponents
Beating your opponents doesn’t take a crazy amount of luck or talent. In The Brotherband Chronicles by John Flanagan it shows the reader that hard work will consistently win you victory time and time again. Hal works hard to achieve his goals and cultivate his talents as he rises to the top. Through perseverance, extremely hard work, and discipline anybody can excel at whatever they wish to do.
Throughout the novel Hal, the main character, develops a sense of perseverance that carries through Brotherband training and all his life. Hal is ingenious with his inventions and with all his successes is his fair share of failures. He always gets back up to fight another day and simply won’t stop until his inventions work. “They don’t always go wrong,’ Thorn said. ‘Some of them are surprisingly good. The heating system he designed for your dining room was quite ingenious”(40). Thorn, his father figure, helps him in his execution of his plans. He helps grow Hal’s diligence to go on and do the task.
When Brotherband training starts and Hal is chosen as a captain he immediately trains himself to think and act differently. He makes everyone work hard at their tasks and he works the hardest. He devises plans and strategies to beat the other team as well as even learning how to punch to defend himself. He is also a very good learner. “I’ll remember that,’ Hal said. Thorn knew he would. The boy took instruction well, he thought”(206). He listens and executes precisely how he is told. This allows him to get the upper hand on technique.
Another thing that sets Hal’s Brotherband above the rest is their discipline. Ingvar, the huge boy with awesome strength, is the discipline man. He helps make sure that the members listen and obey. “Ingvar, from now on you’re our master-at-arms. He stood up and looked at Ingvar. [...] If anyone annoys me, you squash him”(187). This aspect brings it all together to help prompt the Brotherband to do what is asked and do it correctly the first time.
In the story the author showed the reader that when hard work is put up against talent or skill they have the upper hand. If a team or individual has perseverance, hard work, and discipline they will always have the upper hand on an opponent that doesn't engage in these. I know from experience that hard work will prevail not every time but will deliver when it matters most.