To Brave the Seas: A Boy at War

Gr 7 Up—Adam Chisholm, 15, harbors a love for the sea. When an opportunity to serve with the Merchant Navy as a deck boy during World War II comes his way, the English teen quickly enlists. His mother has died, and his shifty father appears relieved to have him gone. Adam befriends two sailors, Archie and Diggy, who educate him during his maiden voyage. His interactions with them provide readers with relief from the ever-present pall of war. The first-person narration fully involves readers in the story, making life on the ship as vivid as if they were there. Adam exhibits character depth in his interactions with his less than admirable shipmates and his own derelict father, though his friendships with the other sailors play a secondary role to the action sequences. Each chapter begins with a black-and-white image that foreshadows events to come. Despite their relevance, the poor quality of a few diminishes their effectiveness. The frequent explanation of nautical terms, given that the book has a useful naval glossary, are intrusive. Briticisms, by contrast, are not defined for American audiences. Further information and facts about the author's own experience in the Merchant Navy are provided in an extensive afterword. This novel is for libraries with a high demand for World War II and maritime fiction.—Hilary Writt, Sullivan University, Lexington, KY