Powder Monkey: Adventures of a Young Sailor [Paperback]

Paul Dowswell (Author)

Book Description

Series: Adventures of a Young Sailor | Publication Date: October 3, 2006

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.

Editorial Reviews

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. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

'More vivid than a Patrick O'Brian novel. From the moment they open the book to see an exquisite exploded drawing of the frigate Miranda, all children worth their salt will read on to the end.' Independent 'A thrilling tale, exceptionally well written and affecting.' The Times --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens; ZZZ edition (October 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582347484
• ISBN-13: 978-1582347486
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,255,921 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting Little Read, April 5, 2006

By 

Donald Smith "Ryder" (Woodinville, Washington U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Powder Monkey: Adventures of a Young Sailor (Hardcover)

A good bit of entertaining reading for anyone, student or adult, wanting to get an insight on the deplorable conditions of life at sea back in the days of cannons and tall ships. Life during the days when the caste system was alive and well in the so called civilized western world. I would recomend this book as a read to any school age student wishing to see beyond the so called glory of life on the high seas that goes beyond Master And Comander.

Sam, the 13 year old main character, fits snug into whatever condition tossed upon him. He has to do so or he dies. Or at the very least risks flogging. The British Navy really weren't very decent folks back then were they. Sailors were just rabble to be used and disposed of at will. That is the imprression I came away with after reading this book. Even young Sam realizes that escape is useless. No return to home is possible. The author does not sell the reader out in this truth.

The only reason I only gave 4 stars was because I wanted to know Sam a little better. I never felt like I was actually there with him. But then this is really more a historical fiction than a novel. So it wasn't that big of a deal. Also I kept losing track of who was who. But then perhaps that is because I am over 60 now and the brain doesn't work.

In conclusion, I highly recomend this book for anyone interested in 1800s Naval history.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Powder Monkey, .....Blows Me Away, January 21, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Powder Monkey: Adventures of a Young Sailor (Paperback)

When I got this book for Christmas, I thought I'd probably won't read it. But when I read the first page, I thought it was really good so I just kept on reading. I can't wait to read Prision Ship (book 2). By the way, I am twelve.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Only the best of Historical Fiction, January 4, 2006

By 

Mat Perrin "Sam I am" (With Carman Santiago, my lover) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Powder Monkey: Adventures of a Young Sailor (Hardcover)

Granted, this novel is fairly juvenile, but it was written by a historian and it does catalogue how life was on a frigate during the Napoleonic wars. Call me ignorant, but after seeing "Master and Commander: The Far Side of The World", I was under the impression that the only children serving in the royal navy were midshipmen (lieutenants-in-training, such as Robert Neville in the book) however, I came to find that this was completely inaccurate. One of the most dangerous jobs aboard ship was the powder monkey position, which was most often filled most often were the fastest and smallest on ship, the children. This is the tale of one such child who is forced upon a ship. A short novel, well worth the read. Intriguing.

Mat Perrin, esq.