About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the feeling of not fitting into the rigid expectations of their family or community. It is a powerful choice for a middle-schooler who needs to see that choosing your own path, even when it feels like a lonely or scary betrayal of tradition, is a brave step toward a healthy identity. Set in the 17th century, the story follows a young girl who disguises herself as a boy to escape an abusive home and find her way onto a Dutch merchant ship. While the setting is historical, the emotional core is deeply modern, focusing on resilience and the search for a chosen family. The book explores themes of gender roles, survival, and the courage it takes to start over. It is age-appropriate for ages 10 to 14, offering a realistic but ultimately hopeful depiction of a young person taking agency over their life in the face of significant hardship.
