I don’t know about you, but if a character captures my heart or intrigues me, I don’t want the book to end. That’s why I like to read series. If I can’t find a new series, then I look for themes such as World War II novels with heroines which are my latest craze. I wish I had asked my mom more about her service in the Navy. Dad served in the Navy as a medic in the Mariana Islands, was injured three times (I think 3), and was awarded a Bronze Medal. This is one of those times when I was ‘too soon old and too late smart’.
As a children’s author, I started reading books for the middle grades. The Age of Sail books I enjoyed include:
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi. Charlotte sails on a ship on the verge of mutiny and she is accused of murder!
Stowaway by Karen Hesse. Nicholas Young stowed away on Captain Cook’s ship, Endeavor, and sailed for three years.
Pirate Diary: The Journal of Jake Carpenter by Richard Platt. Jake is captured by pirates and serves as a carpenter’s apprentice.
The Voyage of Patience Goodyear by Heather Vogel Frederick. Patience and her brother sail with their captain father on his whaling ship. Due to her mathematical ability, she learns navigation which is put to good use after a mutiny.
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham, 1955. This is an oldie but goodie. Even though he grew up in tough circumstances, Bowditch became the founder of modern maritime navigation. Readers with an interest in math, science, or sailing could enjoy it. Ironically, I recall reading this book as a kid. Yikes!
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