Powder Monkey: Adventures of a Young Sailor - Hardcover

Dowswell, Paul

3.88

435 ratings by Goodreads

9781582346755: Powder Monkey: Adventures of a Young Sailor

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1582346755 ISBN 13: 9781582346755

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens, 2005

View all copies of this ISBN edition:

Thirteen-year-old Sam Witchall has always dreamed of being a sailor, but he never realized how dangerous and gruesome life at sea could be until he is pressed into service aboard HMS Miranda. Beginning his naval career as a "powder monkey"―assisting the gun crews on the warship―Sam learns the ropes of sailing and how to cope with enemies both foreign and onboard the Miranda herself.

With enough battles, storms, and shipwrecks to thrill young fans of the Master and Commander series, this rousing historical adventure introduces a new generation to an exciting era, when a lowly powder monkey could grow up to be a hero.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author:

A former editor, Paul Dowswell is the author or co-author of over 50 acclaimed nonfiction books for children on historical and scientific topics. This is his first work of fiction. He lives in Wolverhampton, England, with his wife and daughter.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 5-9–This novel details the hardships of a sailor's life as seen through the eyes of a 13-year-old boy. It is 1800 in Norfolk, England, and Sam Witchall begs to go off to sea. Eventually his unwilling father secures him a post on a merchant ship but his fears come true when Sam is pressed into service aboard the HMS Miranda as a powder monkey, running gun powder from below deck to his cannon crew. His skill is soon tested in the heat of battle. Readers will be absorbed in the day-to-day life of young Sam, and his vivid tale will keep them on edge as he tries to escape his commission. He is forced to confront all of the things that can plague a sailor: fierce fighting, raging storms, cruel punishment, mutiny, and death. Not for the faint of heart, this novel is a brilliant introduction to the likes of C. S. Forester's classic Horatio Hornblower saga.–Kimberly Monaghan, formerly at Vernon Area Public Library, IL
Copyright � Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.