The Voyage of Patience Goodspeed - Hardcover

Frederick, Heather Vogel

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 068984851X ISBN 13: 9780689848513

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2002

Synopsis

While on a three-year voyage with her brother and whaling captain father in 1835, Patience Goodspeed finds herself bored with her role as cook's apprentice, but when a strange man sets sail with them, things take a turn for the worse and soon Patience must play captain in order to save the lives of those she loves.

About this title

About the Author:

Heather vogel Frederick uses rich prose, a fresh accessible plot, and a captivating crew of characters to spirit readers off on a journey whirling with suspense and adventure.

From Publishers Weekly:

With the clever, nearly 13-year-old narrator, Patience, at the helm, this fast-paced debut novel successfully steers through a whaling expedition and mutinous uprising. Though Patience would rather honor her recently deceased Mama's plan that she study mathematics at home on Nantucket, her captain father insists she and her six-year-old brother, Thaddeus (Tad), accompany him on his whaling ship. However, once aboard the Morning Star, her father initially dismisses her interest in navigation until she proves herself in her lessons (she also demonstrates her talents in the galley the author includes two favorite recipes). Frederick spices up the journey with an eclectic cast and crew, including Glum the dour cook, two thugs Patience nicknames Bunion and Toad, and a traitor named Bridgewater whom she dubs Bilgewater. She also weaves into the plot atmospheric details about whaling, the layout of the ship and navigational instruments, and supplements her research with facts about infamous whaling vessels such as the Essex and insider terms that kids will eat up, such as "Nantucket sleigh ride" the whalers' name for the breakneck chase after the prey. Patience also keeps a diary, which in some instances offers a slightly revised rehash of events but, for the most part, complements the text. Though readers will enjoy the whaling adventure, the brave heroine makes this historical adventure most memorable. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 068984851X
• ISBN 13: 9780689848513
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 219