First published 2006
At sixteen, the protagonist stands ready to begin his life at sea. He boards a merchant vessel in Salem, Massachusetts, bound for the distant port of Canton, China. The young sailor has chosen to follow the maritime tradition, leaving behind the familiar shores of New England for the vast Pacific Ocean. As the ship cuts through the waters toward the Orient, he must prove himself among the seasoned crew. The voyage tests his resolve as he navigates the harsh realities of life aboard a trading vessel. Storm and calm, discipline and rebellion, all shape his passage from boy to man. This maritime adventure captures the spirit of a young American discovering his place in the world through the ancient call of the sea.
Genres: american-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, american, adventure, 19th-century
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, fish-out-of-water
Setting: Canton, China, Massachusetts, New England, Pacific Ocean, Salem
Period: 19th Century
144 pages · Paperback · Echo Library