Voyage of the Sparrowhawk

by Natasha Farrant (Author)

Voyage of the Sparrowhawk
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

In the aftermath of World War One, everyone in the small town of Barton is rebuilding their lives. Ben needs to find his brother, Sam--who was wounded in action and is now missing--if he wants to avoid being sent to the orphanage. Lotti's horrible aunt and uncle want to send her away from her beloved home to boarding school, just when she has successfully managed to get expelled from her last one.

When a chance encounter brings the two children together, each recognizes the other as a kindred spirit. But just as they've found their feet, disaster strikes, and Ben and Lotti must run away. They hatch a plan to cross the English Channel on Ben's narrowboat, the Sparrowhawk, and track down Sam in France. But there's something in France that Lotti is looking for, too. . . .

Funny, heartwarming, and wise, Voyage of the Sparrowhawk is full of high stakes, twists and connections, and--most of all--adventure.

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Kirkus

Starred Review
Inspiring, memorable, and adventurous: classic storytelling.

Publishers Weekly

In 1919, post-WWI, two cued-white English children struggle to find family and peace. Twelve-year-old Ben's adoptive father died eight months earlier in a hospital bombing in France while visiting Ben's older brother Sam, a wounded soldier who goes missing soon after their father's death. Newly back from boarding school, Lotti, also 12, feels alone in her own home, emotionally abused and neglected by her guardians. When Ben and Lotti meet, they swiftly become friends, and when circumstances turn sour, the two set forth for France aboard Ben's narrowboat, the Sparrowhawk, in search of Sam. Pursued by a resourceful policeman, they must enlist the help of unlikely allies in order to survive the near-impossible trip across the English Channel, braving dangerous waters and sudden storms. Employing a quiet voice reminiscent of classics with a hint of humor ("And a terrible thing happened, but... If they had stayed, there would be no story"), Farrant (Eight Princesses and a Magic Mirror) pits resilient protagonists against numerous obstacles and setbacks, balancing loss and grief with joy and optimism in a lively adventure that wholeheartedly embraces the concept of found family. Ages 8-12. Agent: Allison Hellegers, Stimola Literary. (Oct.)

Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes



Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781324030874
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Norton Young Readers
Publication date
October 11, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV016000 - Juvenile Fiction | Historical | General
JUV039130 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Runaways
JUV041020 - Juvenile Fiction | Transportation | Boats, Ships, & Underwater Craft
JUV068000 - Juvenile Fiction | Travel
JUV075000 - Juvenile Fiction | War & Military
Library of Congress categories
History
Great Britain
Friendship
Family life
Orphans
Voyages and travels
George V, 1910-1936

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