The Ship in the Window by Travis Jonker illustrated by Matthew Cordell*

 Mabel, the mouse, lives in a cabin along a little lake. In the cabin, a man and a boy also live. The man builds a model ship without the boy's help. All three of them admire the model ship in the window. Mabel wonders if it can sail like a real ship. One night the wind blows the door open. She seizes the opportunity and maneuvers the boat onto the lake. In the morning, the man and boy spy her on the lake. . . .

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson*

 Mr. Sanderson is an incredible story teller. He creates imaginative worlds, compelling plots, and engaging characters. I did not like the setting in the story; it "creeped" me out and made me feel suffocated and trapped. However, I loved the characters and the plot so much that I endured the world!! On the other hand, I admire his ability to create such a vivid world! My sixteen-year-old read this and handed it over to me, saying, "Mom, you need to read this. You will really like it." He was right! 

This story is more whimsical than his other novels, which appeals to me! The art on the end pages and Tress's portrait are beautiful.

The Sorceress has captured Tress's beloved friend Charlie. Tress sets out to rescue him. Her credentials? A window washer. On her voyage on the spore sea with a band of pirates, she discovers friendship and the power of love and loyalty. Hoid and Ulaam, characters from Sanderson's other worlds, are part of this story. Hoid is the narrator. He is very funny (sometimes crass).

*Highly recommend.

Warning: a couple of swear words, some violence, some crassness (one had to infer but I think, Hoid hinted that the Sorceress's tower looked like a male part! It wasn't very clear . . .but  I think I am correct.)

Sea Clocks The Story of Longitude by Louise Borden illustrated by Erik Blegvad*

 Ms. Borden presents the tenacity of Englishman John Harrison as he attempts (and succeeds) to create a clock that allow sailors to calculate longitude. Mr. Blegvad's watercolor and ink art is detailed and intricate. I liked his illustrations so much I requested a couple other books he illustrated. 

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Ruby in the Smoke by Philip Pullman

 Sally's father, Matthew Lockhart, part owner of a British shipping company, is dead. Sixteen-year-old Sally wades through mysterious messages and combats evil individuals as she discovers the corruption and sinister dealings within the company. As she boldly investigates, she forms friendships with a photographer and his actress sister, a messege boy, and an abused young girl.

Very suspenseful and a tight plot. It will be a book teens who love mysteries will devour in one sitting. Not suited for elementary readers. It is labeled "young adult" for good reason (see my warnings).

Warnings: violence, murder, ruthless, evil characters, a few swear words, opium trade is the center of the plot-readers will witness characters using the drug (details given), Sally even uses opium to resurrect memories to help her solve the case. Mr. Pullman does not condone its use and is very graphic in his description of how addictive and destructive it is. I read summaries of other books in this series. Sally has a daughter with her boyfriend Frederick. 

-Borrowed via ILL

Crossing on Time -Steam Engines, Fast Ships and A Journey to the New World by David Macaulay

What a masterpiece!
Mr. Macaulay's newest book is incredible.  His attention to detail and his understanding "how things work" are paramount.
He explains in detail the building of the SS United States, the fastest steamship.  Diagrams, cross sections, a six page fold out spread of the ship make this book a feast for kids who enjoy understanding the details of how things are built and work.  He also weaves in the story of his family traveling on the SS United States.
To be honest, the technical details were a bit over my head and not of interest to me . . .but I was still impressed with Mr. Macaulay's research and his ability to communicate complicated concepts concisely and clearly.  I really enjoyed learning about his family journey to the United States.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Tempest The Graphic Novel by William Shakespeare

Based on an original script by John McDonald
I am exploring a variety of Shakespeare books in different formats for this coming school year.  My 11 year old snatched this version of The Tempest as soon as we left the library!  He read it to himself.
He really enjoyed it and thought it was exciting and was a good adventure. 
Sailing home from his daughter's wedding, Alonso is shipwrecked on an island with his crew and royal individuals from Italy.  Strange adventures occur.  Prospero, the rightful duke of Milan, has caused the shipwreck.  His daughter , Miranda, is heartbroken over the lives that have been lost so he shares his life story. 
I like how the author supplies the reader with a list of character and their descriptions.  A glossary provides  explanation of many words (some easy) so that struggling readers can understand with ease.  A short biography about Shakespeare, the history of The Tempest, and information about the Globe Theatre are included in the back. 
-Borrowed from the library.

The Antlered Ship by Dashka Slater illustrated by The Fan Brothers

Marco, a curious fox, ventures out on the antlered ship to find different foxes to answer his deeper questions.  The crew consisting of deer and pigeons and Marco, of course, spend days at sea experiencing adventure.  Marco finds his answers in a different manner than he expected.
What I like most about this book are the illustrations and the detailed map. 
Great book to read aloud when introducing and implementing "asking questions" strategy.
-Borrowed from the library.

Manjiro by Emily Arnold McCully*

The Boy Who Risked His Life for Two Countries
My ten year old read a chapter book biography about Manjiro this past year so it was interesting for him to compare this picture book to what he knew and had read.
Manjiro and fellow fishermen are stranded on an island after a terrible storm off of Japan.  An American whaler ship rescues them.  The Captain Whitfield sort of adopts Manjiro, teaches him English, how to read and provides a home and schooling for him in America.  Eventually Manjiro saves enough money to return to his mother and Japan.  But will Japan execute him?  Since the 1600's the law stated anyone who left the country and who returned would be put to death.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

All by Myself, Alone by Mary Higgins Clark

On its maiden voyage, the Queen Charlotte contains many interesting characters.  Wealthy Lady Em announces to "the world" that she will be wearing her priceless emerald Cleopatra necklace while sailing on the ship.   The "man with a thousand faces" is on board the cruise ship and is plotting how he can swipe the necklace.  Celia Kilbride, a gem and jewelry expert ,  is a guest speaker on the ship and is hiding from a scandal which involves her former husband to be.  When Lady Em is found murdered and the necklace missing, many individuals seem to have a credible motive to be the culprit.
In sweep Willy and Alvirah Meehan, Mrs. Clark's beloved characters from previous novels, to protect Celia from further defaming and even death.
Once again Mrs. Clark has written a suspenseful novel that keeps the reader engaged from the first word until the last word.  She is one author I enjoy reading because I know she will not include anything inappropriate (minus a couple swear words-very minimal amount).
-Borrowed from the library.

Under Drake's Flag by G.A. Henty Executive Producer: Bill Heid Written and Produced by John Fornof*

This was an audio theater production.
I thought this was a book on CD but was pleasantly surprised to discover it was an actual performance with sound effects!  This production was top-notch.  We were mesmerized the entire time and did not want to leave our van when we reached our destination!

I have been reading positive comments about books written by G. A. Henty.  He died over a hundred years ago but during his life he wrote 122 books, mostly historical adventures which appeal to boys and make history come alive.

Under Drakes Flag takes the reader on an adventure with Sir Francis Drake.  Ned and Gerald are young lads when they join his crew, but under his leadership grow up to be good, Christian men.  Adventures abound in this story (storms at sea, shark attacks, sea rescues, lots of battles and escapes from prisons).
Recommended ages: 6-adult (lots of battles so at times violent; The Inquisition is part of the story where the torture was freely used to combat heresy.) 

Included are a prayer by Sir Francis Drake and a study guide (discussion questions for each section, expanding vocabulary lists!, and three different Bible studies).  WOW!!  This production and CD showcases Christians striving for excellence and using their gifts for Him.
**Highly, highly recommend.
Now I want to read an actual book to see if they are as exciting as the theater production!

The Christmas Tree Ship by Carol Crane illustrated by Chris Ellison

Based on a true story.
A boy's grandfather tells the story about how the schooner, Rouse Simmons, that delivers Christmas trees each year to Chicago becomes entangled in a raging storm on Lake Michigan.  The schooner and its crew sink, with no survivors.  The people of Chicago think they will never see the Christmas Tree Ship again.  Imagine their surprise when the captain's wife and daughters endure the voyage to deliver the trees the following year!
-Borrowed from the library.

Treasure Hunters by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein with Mark Shulman illustrated by Juliana Neufeld

Bick, Beck, Tommy and Storm have been home-schooled all of their lives as they travel the world with their treasure-hunting parents.
Recently their mother disappeared in Cyprus and then in the beginning of this book, their father goes overboard during a storm.  Now the siblings are orphans at sea.
As they finish up their father's current assignment, they encounter very interesting, nefarious individuals.   Whom can they trust?
 Together, with their talents, they overcome major obstacles.
Very exciting and entertaining!
I also really liked how the siblings treated each other (expect for Bick and Beck's famous twin tirades which always end with them being fine with each other/no resentment).
I won't recommend this series to my fourth grade son (see below).
Perfect series for middle school boys who are reluctant readers.
Guided Reading Level: T (fourth grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 4.6 
"A hi-low book-will appeal to older readers but who are reading at a lower grade reading level".
Warnings/points to discuss: Tommy, the oldest brother age seventeen, is into girls and frequently checks them out.  He especially likes art with naked women. Violence with gun pointing.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis*

We listened to this book on an audio CD.
Lucy, Edmund and their cousin Eustace return to Narnia to assist Prince Caspian find the seven good lords his uncle had banished.  The Dawn Treader encounters many unique creatures, worlds and individuals.  They even travel to the End of the World where a beloved creature departs.
*Highly recommend.
-We own this book.
Warning: one swear word ("ass"), I think.  I am forgetting if it was in this one or Prince Caspian.
Grade Level Equivalent: 5.5

Geronimo Stilton Mouse Overboard! #62 *

Geronimo and his family were retracing the journey of explorer Vasco da Gama when Geronimo learns that someone is trying to sabotage the voyage.
My third grader read this book to himself.
He loves this series!
We own this book.
*Highly recommend.
Guided Reading Level: R (beginning of 4th)

Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome

Four siblings are spending the summer along England's Lake District.  Their father, who is away at sea, gives them permission to camp out on an island.  When they land their boat, Swallow, on the island, they see signs that someone else has made a camp there.  Soon adventures begin as they encounter a surly man living in a houseboat and two rambunctious sisters (The Amazons) who declared war on them.
Full of adventure yet it took me awhile to read the book (older English).  I am not sure how readers in modern times would like the book?
Youngsters nowadays are clueless about playing in this imaginative manner and playing unsupervised.  I am curious how readers today would respond to this book.  Would they be able to relate to these children's imaginations and their ability and willingness to problem solve?
I really liked the mother -she played along with their imaginations and gave them enough space to play and take risks.

Strategies: check for understanding, schema (boating terms, pirates, 1930's England, Robinson Crusoe)

Secret Files #15-The Hardy Boys Ship of Secrets by Franklin W. Dixon illustrated by Scott Burroughs*

My second grade son read this book to himself.
He said, "The book was exciting.  The brothers took a cruise.  A valuable watch was missing and they found it."
*Highly recommend the series.
Perfect for transitional readers.

Clipper Ship by Thomas P. Lewis illustrated by Joan Sandin

"An I Can Read Book" Level 3 (Grades 2-4)
My second grader brought this book home from his school library to read to himself.
It tells how the clipper ship, Rainbird, made its way from New York to CA.  It is based on many tales of clipper ships and the wives of the captain who helped sail.
Pair with Dare the Wind by Tracy Fern.
GLE-3.4
Guided Reading Level: N

Tales from the Time Dragon: Racing the Waves by Robert Neubecker

Joe and Lilly are snatched back into time via a computer in the library.  They arrive in 1851 and land on the  Flying Cloud which is headed to California.  The children experience adventure on the sea with Captain Creesy and his mathematical, intelligent wife, Ellen Creesy.
Text features: a two pages of additional facts, time line, glossary, map
**Pair with Tracey Fern's beautiful picture book-Dare the Wind.