Stowaway: Summary and book reviews of Stowaway by Karen Hesse, plus links to an excerpt from Stowaway and a biography of Karen Hesse.

In the summer of 1768, an eleven-year-old butcher's apprentice named Nicholas Young climbed aboard a ship, hid himself from captain and crew, and waited to be carried far away from the life he hated in London. Nick didn't know it, but the ship he chose -- H.M.S. Endeavour -- was bound for an astonishing 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 encountered hardship and was awed by new discoveries; he weathered danger and proved himself brave when disaster struck; he earned the respect and trust of the gentlemen on board; he made a friend for life. And he made history. An eleven-year-old boy named Nicholas Young really did stow away on Cook's Endeavour. Based on exhaustive historical research and illustrated with evocative drawings by Robert Andrew Parker, Stowaway is Newbery winner Karen Hesse's extraordinary fictional account of the real Nicholas's journey.

Media Reviews

School Library Journal Grades 5-9. The author's subtle yet thorough attention to detail creates a memorable tale that is a virtual encyclopedia of life in the days when England ruled the seas.   Kirkus Reviews In a lucid, readable style, free of excessive nautical jargon, Hesse simultaneously takes readers along on one of history’s greatest enterprises, and introduces them to one of history’s most prodigious natural leaders.   Publisher's Weekly Sparkling with humor, poignancy and adventure, ..... Hesse's impeccable research buttresses the narrative with a wealth of detail.

Recent Reader Reviews

Rated of 5 by Caylin Johnson
This book is AWESOME!!
Hi!! I'm Caylin (aka KK:D) and I read the book Stowaway very lately actually. I am 11 years old and I just LOVED this book. I don't really want to write about the ending or whatever because you don't want to spoil a good ending!! So, if you want to...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Nia Fertil
jackson ville
It is cool and smart reading.

Rated of 5 by Amiri
Great Book
This is a great book that many young adults can relate. There are times when Nicholas is feeling down, happy, in pain, and more. Kids nowadays look for something that things have in common. This will let people know that they aren't alone out there...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Nikolina
MEH.
It is so boring and un-amusing for those of us who are above the reading level. It is extremely detailed and it just keeps going on and on. Plus, due to the journal layout, it isn't too fun to read because it's an awful transition-er. I really...   Read More

Rated of 5 by bookwyrm
good book
This is a good book, but more of a book for those slow, lazy dog days of summer (which is to say you would probably enjoy it more if you read it on those days when you have nothing to do but relax) There could've been more depth to some of the...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Cal S. (son of zeus)
pretty good
OK, not her best work, and I am slightly disapointed that Nick never stands up the Bootie, (sorry, possibly a bit of a spoiler) and I would have liked a bit more action.

...43 More Reader Reviews

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Books with similar themes

• Historical Fiction
  
• Children's Books Ages 9 up
  
• Young Adults
  
• Global 
  
• On The High Seas 
  
• 18th Century