Nadya Skylung and the Cloudship Rescue

Gr 4–6—In a breathtaking fantasy world where ships can both sail in the sea and fly, Nadya Skylung wants very badly to be the next first mate on the cloudship Orion. Her skills tending the cloud garden that keeps the ship afloat are impressive, and her strength proves to be beneficial when the ship needs repairs. However, she has competition from her rival Tam, so she has to work very hard to prove herself while still giving the ship's plants and animals the care and nurturing that they deserve. Suddenly, the Orion is under attack from pirates. The children manage to escape, but key members of the ship's crew are in captivity with the cruel pirates, including the kind Captain Nic, who rescued Nadya and other orphans, and Mrs. T, who is a surrogate mother figure to Nadya. This is a moving fantasy novel with strong world-building, intriguing characters, and touching themes about the meaning of family and sacrifice.