What is the setting/ exposition of The Cay ?

The story takes place in ..... During this time period..... is taking place.

Read the excerpts below from chapter 1, and then describe best friend, Henrik.

"Henrik said, 'My father told me there is nothing left of Aruba. They hit Sint Nicholaas, you know." 'Every lake tanker was sunk,' I said. I didn't know if this was true or not, but Henrik had an irritating way of sounding official since his fatherw as connected with the government. His face was round and chubby. His hair was straw colored and his cheeks were always red. Henrik was very serious about everything he said or did.

Read the excerpt below, and then explain how Philip's family came to be living in the Caribbean.

"My mother, I knew, had not wanted to come to Curacao in late 1939, but my father had argued that he was needed for the war effort even though the United States was not at war then. Royal Dutch shell had borrowed him from his American company because he was an expert in refineries and gasoline production. But the moment she saw it, my mother decided she didn't like Curacao and she often complained about the smell of gas and oil whenever the trade winds died down"

How does Philip's mother feel about living in Curacao? How do you know?

"My mother, I knew, had not wanted to come to Curacao in late 1939, but my father had argued that he was needed for the war effort even though the United States was not at war then. Royal Dutch shell had borrowed him from his American company because he was an expert in refineries and gasoline production. But the moment she saw it, my mother decided she didn't like Curacao and she often complained about the smell of gas and oil whenever the trade winds died down"

Describe the tasks that Phillip's mother completes in order to prepare for the impending war.

"So later in the morning, when she was busy making sure that all our blackout curtains were in place, and filling extra pots with fresh water, and checking our food supply, I stole away down to the fort with Henrik van Boven, my Dutch friend who was also eleven"

Why is there tension/ what is the conflict between Philips parents?

"... I asked, 'Will they shoot at us tonight?' [My father] look at me gravely and answered, 'I don't know Philip. They might. I want you and your mother to sleep down here tonight, not on the second floor. I don't think you're in any danger, but it's better to sleep down here.'... My mother came in from the kitchen to say 'Stop asking so many silly questions, Phillip. I told you not to do that'. Father looked at her strangely. He had always answered many questions. 'He has a right to know. He's involved here, Grace'.

There is tension between Phillip's parents because they do not agree about....