Customer Reviews

Stowaway

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

My grandson is going to be 11 this month. I've decided that he's getting this book as his birthday book. Nicholas, the boy in the book, is 11 when he stows away on the HMS Endeavor, which is captained by Captain JamesCook. What better way to show an 11 year old what the future can be than to follow the exploits of another 11 year old in his trek around the world. I picked this book up to read because of the author. I loved OUT OF THE DUST by Karen Hesse. I figured that this one would be as good. It is, but in a different way. I loved how much it taught me about history and how it's sent me hunting for answers to questions it raised. The map on the inside of the front and back covers was invaluable in tracking the trip. And what a nice surprise at the end of the book to find out there was a real Nicholas.

Having known only a few isolated facts about Captain James Cook and his expeditions, this book sent me running to the encyclopedia to learn more. It is indeed impressive to learn that Cook's crew was made up partially of gentlemen scholars who set out to further the world's knowledge not only of geography, but astronomy (observing the Venus pass before the sun), botany, zoology, medicine (being among the first to prevent an outbreak of scurvy) and cultural anthropology. The level of discipline and high standards of behavior demanded by Captain Cook were equally impressive. Told from the daily journal of an 11-year-old stowaway who has escaped an oppressive past, but through the skillful writing of Karen Hesse, the story is appealing to youngsters with an adventurous spirit. I would recommend this book to strong readers.

My 11 year old daughter and I have been reading this book all summer. While it is not as exciting as our last sail, The Wanderer by Sharon Creech (5+ stars), it has really grown on us. It is an amazing real life story of a young stowaway who must deal with all the day to day realities of living on and off an explorer's ship: scurvy, bullies, sickness, rats, cannibals, coco nuts, etc. It's written as a diary, as a 12 year old would have written and seen things -- in the late 1700's. Highly recommended to those interested in adventure, sailing and history. 5- stars.

In 1768 Captain Cook set about in the ship Endeavor for a secret mission, the first of his 3 historic journeys to chart new lands around the world, chart the stars, and discover new species of plants and wildlife. Joining the able crew was a small group of scientific gentlemen or "naturalists" and their servants, broken into various specialties such as botany, zoology, and astronomy. Little did the Captain know that a stowaway was on board - 11 year old Nicholas was running from a brutal apprenticeship into the only place he could think of, the adventure of the sea. Lucky for young Nick the Captain is not brutal like many others, but he does run a tight, disciplined ship. Nick is put to work, and he works hard. He receives valuable training in several areas in addition to sailor skills, he helps the ships medical officers, and the naturalists. Because Nick has a very curious mind and an eager nature, he is made a formal part of the crew and allowed to draw pay like any other seaman aboard. There is plenty of excitement with the ship's crew facing disease, storms, strange natives, and uncharted islands. A midshipman named Mr. Bootie decides it is his job to try to get Nick in trouble or be cruel to him, to the point that he is a danger to Nick's life.

We the reader join the story through Nick's eyes, as we are reading his journal. He makes an entry almost every day for the 2 years that they are at sea, and through his journal we also observe his growth into a sharp eyed young man that is very likable and gains the respect of his shipmates. It is a dramatized piece of history by the Newberry award winning writer. The author combed the actual records on the real life voyage of the Endeavor, in order to make the book as factual as possible. The nautical dialogue is accurate, but includes a glossary in the back to look up terms you do not understand. There is a list of the ships crew, and a map of the journey to follow as well. There are some illustration in the book, and the outer wrap-around cover of the book is very nice, and is based on a real seventeenth-century original.

One of the interesting impacts this book has on young people, is it leads them to want to learn more about history and they want to go to the library or other sources to learn more about Captain Cook's explorations. The book is suitable for readers age 10 and up, but any younger reader that wants to tackle it should by all means. As an adult that borrowed the book from my son for a plane trip, I too thoroughly enjoyed this interesting story. If your young reader enjoyed this, they may like to read "Carry on, Mr. Bowditch", or "The Dark Frigate".

The book I read Stowaway was by Karen Hesse. In 1768, an eleven-year-old boy named Nicholas Young stowed away on a ship. He hid himself from the captain the crew, and waited to be carried far away. Nick didn't know it, but the ship he chose - H.M.S. Endeavour - was bound for an amazing adventure. Captained by James Cook. Endeavour was on a secret mission to discover an unknown continent at the bottom of the globe. During his three-year voyage, Nick faced hardship and he sot out danger and proved himself brave when disaster struck. He learned to respect and trust the gentlemen on board. He made a friend and he made history.

Nicholas was weak and weak hearted when he started the voyage. At the end of the book he is a fully weathered sailor. Nick has to deal with a mean midshipsman Mr. Bootie who orders him around like a dog. He overcomes problems like that by just doing it perfectly so Mr. Bootie can't yell at him. I overcome most problems like Nick I do them as well as I can so nobody can yell at me. I might like to stowaway on a ship because I love boats and I think it would be fun to sail on one. ." "I figured that this one would be as good as Out Of The Dust. It is, but in a different way. I loved how much it taught me about history and how it's sent me hunting for answers to questions it raised. The map on the inside of the front and back covers was invaluable in tracking the trip. And what a nice surprise at the end of the book to find out there was a real Nicholas." Said a person from College Station, TX USA " I loved the book I would give it 5 stars *****. I would recommend this book to any body who loves adventure books. Stowaway was a book I could not put down until I finished it.

I recommend this book to any diligent reader who wants a good book, or should I say novel, to pass the time. I would particularly recommend this book to all kids over the age of 11; I only say this because it is hard to understand it occasionally. This book taught me a valuable lesson. I learned that if I'm not happy with me life I should change it to hat I want to do. Nick showed me that following your heart can not only make you happy but also can make history like Nick. If Nick hadn't changed his life he would probably still be a butchers apprentice. Every entry Nick wrote had a different challenge that kept me and other readers divided

Stowaway By: Karen Hesse


Hey, if you like to read, check out this book. It's called Stowaway. It's a great book about a boy named Nicholas who stows away on Captain Cook's ship to escape from an abusive father. They are going on a three year voyage to find new and undiscovered land at the bottom of the Earth. I think that everyone who likes adventurous books should read this book because of its interesting characters and details. You'll love the suspense too.

The characters in Stowaway are so life-like. You'll feel like you know them personally. Nicholas' personality reminds me of people I have met. Mr. Banks, one of Nicholas' crewmembers, is sort of a tattle tale. I also know people like Mr. Banks. The people in this book are so believable and easy to relate to.

The setting is very well-described and detailed. You always know where they are. And, since the whole book is Nick's diary, it's always dated. He writes in wonderful detail throughout his voyage. You know when they are going from land to sea and from sea to land.

The overall theme of this book is friend ship and loyalty. Nicholas makes many friends - natives on the islands and crewmembers on the ship. He showed a lot of loyalty toward his captain, his crewmembers, and native friends. Whenever he had to do something, he did it without complaining. He was happy to do his friends a favor too. I think friendship and loyalty describes this book very well.

In conclusion, I think this book is very exciting and interesting. It's a great book that teaches the importance of friendship. It teaches kindness, loyalty, and trust as well. This book is fun, interesting, and very adventurous. That's my recommendation if you're looking for a book to read.

The author of stowaway is Karen Hesse. The book is a historical fiction.The plot of this book is the voyage on Endeavor and all its hardships Nick Young faces. Nick stows away in the pinnance along Endeavor he paid three men to get him aboard. Nick visits many new lands and even an island named after him he makes new friends and enemies.He also sees many of his friends die aboard the ship but learns to cope with them.

I think this book is very good. Ithought it was very informational and fun. Ithink this book is suited for people who like long books and adventure.The bok also explains what a sialors had to go through in the sea life. People who like baots and traveling should read this book.

STOWAWAY is the fictionalized story of the amazing adventures of a real-life boy named Nicholas Young. Only a few facts are known about the real Nicholas Young: 1) he really did stow away on Captain Cook's voyage around the world when he was 11 years old; 2) when he was discovered, Captain Cook commissioned him into the Royal Navy and made him assistant to the ship's surgeon aboard the Endeavour; 3) he was the first person on Captain Cook's ship to spot New Zealand; 4) when he grew up, he explored the Antarctic. From these sketchy but fascinating facts, Hesse spins a thoroughly researched yarn, filling in all the blanks to write a complete picture of Captain Cook's voyage, through the eyes of young Nicholas, from August 1768 to July 1771.

Nicholas is an educated boy who can read and write. But he runs away from Reverend Smythe's school because the reverend is a cruel man. Then Nicholas's father apprentices him to a butcher, who beats the boy. So Nicholas runs away again. He bribes three seamen to smuggle him aboard a ship ready to set sail, which turns out to be the Endeavour, and he hides in a small landing boat aboard ship. It's cramped and smelly, and even though it's covered, it is not weatherproof. Nicholas's only company, except for the sailors who helped him, are the goat, pigs, and chickens penned nearby. But Nicholas sticks it out for weeks, until it's safe to show himself without being left at port somewhere and returned to England.

When he makes his presence known, Nicholas is immediately put to good use. Aboard ship, the captain is the only law. And the work is hard. Life is not easy for the lowest one in the pecking order, which is now Nicholas. Captain Cook is a fair and just captain, but there are endless opportunities for petty tyrannies. When the midshipman, Bootie, gets blamed for not knowing that Nicholas was hiding aboard ship, for example, Bootie treats Nicholas cruelly and beats him. But Nicholas keeps his mouth shut and works hard. Despite the stress and strain, he enjoys life aboard ship. He is fascinated by the work of the gentleman scholars aboard, including Mr. Banks, a botanist, and his assistants. They study and paint every fish and plant they can find. Mr. Banks takes an interest in Nicholas, and the ship's surgeon is also very pleased with Nicholas's work.

As the Endeavour sails on, Nicholas sees many strange places, including an island which the English call King George's Land. Nicholas makes friends with a native boy there, who calls the island OTahiti. They Endeavour sails around the eastern coast of New Holland, which no European has ever explored before. Captain Cook makes careful charts for the benefit of those who will come after them. When sailing around the world, however, all sorts of adventures are just around the corner, and not all of them are pleasant. The crew weathers terrible storms and meets hostile natives. And one place they visit, Batavia, is where the crew contracts a sickness that quickly comes aboard the Endeavour. As the ship surgeon's boy, Nicholas helps care for diseased, cramping, and dying sailors. Man after man dies and is buried at sea.

Nicholas spends three years aboard one of history's most famous ships, an eyewitness participant in a once-in-a-lifetime voyage. He grows from a boy to a young man. What does he learn about himself? What will he decide to do when the voyage is over? Reading STOWAWAY will bring your history books alive. And you will want to know what happens to Nicholas.

--- Reviewed by Tamara Penny

This book was about the adventures of Nicholas Young. Eleven year old Nick didn't want to become a butcher. The thought of killing animal was appalling. His father forced him into it, thinking it would toughen him up. His father felt his son was soft, a pansy.

Nick steals money from the Butcher and stows away on board Captain Cooks ship, the Endeavour. The book is Nick's journal of his adventures at sea.

I didn't find the book as exciting as I'd hoped. There were too many dry spots throughout.

(Review by Nona Lea, my daughter.)