The Stowaway

As she has done in several previous historical novels, Gregory brings to life events and perspectives not often found in the standard history texts. In this exciting novel based on the actual exploits of 19th-century pirate captain Hippolyte de Bouchard, 11-year-old Carlito, who lives in the settlement of Monterey, watches his father die at the hands of the pirates and becomes an unwilling stowaway on their ship when he seeks to avenge his death. While some of the dialogue is stilted, especially in emotional scenes, the sharks, the various cruelties of the pirate band, the bloody battles, and the suspenseful tone of the short, cliffhanger chapters will keep most readers involved. Meanwhile, Gregory provides insights into life in Alta California and nicely integrates Spanish words into the text.


Genre: Children's Fiction