The Secret of Black Rock by Joe Todd Stanton

Erin Pike lives by the sea and she longed to go out to sea on her mum's fishing boat.  Unfortunately, even though Erin tries to stowaway on the boat she never gets chance to go out onto the ocean.  She is not allowed.  The sea is too dangerous.  There are legends and tales told in the fishing village about 'The Black Rock.'  The Black Rock appears from nowhere and destroys boats; their crew are never seen again! 

One day Erin sneaks onto her mums boat and sails out to sea.  She comes face to face with The Black Rock and ends up finding out the real secret.  Erin lives to tell the tale even if the grown ups of the town do not want to believe all that she tells.  

This modern folk tale tells us a story of people and their relationship with things that they do not understand. It reminds me a little of the story of 'The Iron Man' by Ted Hughes and has themes that echo in this book for older children: 'The Island' by Armin Greder 

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