Description
Alex feels like a fish out of water in her new hometown - the sleepy little lakeside village of Boreen Point where she is reluctantly sent to live with her slightly eccentric aunt for her final year of high school. None of Alex's classmates could care less about the new girl, so Alex couldn't care less about them… or so she tries to tell herself.
As a distraction from what is quickly shaping up to be a very lonely year, Alex spends her savings on a rundown little yacht and throws herself into restoring it. A curious discovery leads to the beginnings of a friendship, but it's Sam - the sailmaker's apprentice - and his mysterious ways that capture Alex's attention and force her to question what is real and what matters most.
A captivating novel about fate, friendship and finding yourself from Young Australian of the Year 2011, Jessica Watson.
Review
This is an exciting new book by multi-talented, around the world solo yachtswoman and Young Australian of the Year, Jessica Watson. Having previously written of her amazing journey, she is now writing middle-grade fiction whilst staying close to the things she knows best - water and yachting.
The story is based around Alex, who is sent to a small coastal town to stay with her ‘different’ Aunt. She quickly buys a small yacht in need of repairs so that she can get back out on the water. Through the repairs she meets Sam, the sailmaker’s apprentice, and their romance begins.
I wonder if Jessica imagined such people on her epic voyage, but I won’t say more as this would give too much of the story away. This is a great read for students in Year 5 - Year 8. It is part mystery, part adventure, and part romance and, as Jessica’s debut novel, it’s one that I would highly recommend.
Reviewed by Rob
