Karen Hesse

It is known that in the summer of 1768, Captain James Cook sailed from England on H.M.S Endeavour, beginning a three-year voyage around the world on a secret mission to discover an unknown continent at the bottom of the globe. What is less known is that a boy by the name of Nicholas Young was a stowaway on that ship. Newbery winner Karen Hesse re-creates Cook's momentous voyage through the eyes of this remarkable boy, creating a fictional journal filled with fierce hurricanes, warring natives, and disease, as Nick discovers new lands, incredible creatures, and lifelong friends.

Stowaway

Jeni Enjaian

I knew going into reading this book that the book probably would not appeal to me as much as others. However, I did notice from the start that Hesse used the diary format well, as in, she did not try to write a story but pretend that a real person would write that way in a diary. I thought I would get through the book faster but the middle portion of the book dragged along, owing in large part to the lack of action during that point in the actual journey of the ship. For me this book felt average, hence the 3 star rating.

Lance Willett

Quick and fun read. I enjoyed the adventure and discovery through the eyes of a youngster—rather than stodgy old men. Would have loved a tiny bit more historical cross-reference, but the appendices helped with that.

Stowaway

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