For the young adult navigating daunting change and self-discovery, this high-seas adventure tells of a courageous woman who defies societal norms to reclaim her destiny and find love.
For a teen who feels constrained by expectations and is searching for their own identity, this book offers a thrilling journey of self-discovery. After her father's death, Patricia Kelley must stow away on a ship to claim her inheritance, forcing her to live a double life: a proper lady by day and a daring sailor by night. This high-seas adventure is packed with historical detail, romance, and danger, exploring powerful themes of bravery, resilience, and forging one's own path against societal norms. Appropriate for older teens, it's a perfect choice for readers who love strong female protagonists and stories about breaking the mold to find where you truly belong.
Features a love triangle with kissing and significant romantic tension. Not sexually explicit.
Racism & DiscriminationModerate
Depicts historically accurate sexism and classism, which the protagonist actively fights against.
Sensitive Topics
The death of a parent is the story's catalyst, handled directly as a past event that drives the plot. The core of the book is Patricia's direct, secular confrontation with the restrictive gender and class roles of the 18th century. She actively defies them to survive. The resolution is hopeful and empowering, as she carves out a new identity for herself. Violence is present and realistic to the setting (brawls, harsh discipline) but not gratuitous.
Ideal Reader
A teen, 13-16, who loves historical fiction, adventure, and romance, especially stories about strong, capable heroines. It's perfect for a reader who feels caught between different expectations (from parents, school, or friends) and is exploring who they want to be, separate from what society dictates.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware that the book includes realistic depictions of 18th-century ship life, which involves some violence, historically appropriate classism and sexism, and some mildly graphic medical scenes. The romantic elements involve a love triangle and kissing. A brief conversation about the limited roles for women in that era would provide helpful context. A parent hears their teen express frustration with stereotypes or feeling trapped by expectations, saying things like, "Why do people assume I can't do that?" or "I feel like I have to be a different person depending on who I'm with."
Age Experience
A younger teen (12-14) will likely be captivated by the adventure, the secret identity plot, and the romance. An older teen (15-16) will better appreciate the nuances of the class struggle, the social commentary on gender roles, and the complexity of Patricia's journey toward self-definition.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many 'girl-dresses-as-boy' tales, this book is distinguished by its meticulous historical detail and the realism of maritime life. Patricia's dual identity is a deep exploration of class and skill, not just a simple disguise. The addition of her training as a surgeon's mate provides a unique, intellectual dimension to her heroism, setting it apart from purely physical adventures.
Read plot summary
After the death of her father, 18th-century British gentlewoman Patricia Kelley stows away on a merchant ship bound for Barbados to secure her inheritance. When her identity is discovered, she is forced to navigate two separate worlds aboard the vessel. By day, she is a lady and apprentice to the ship's surgeon. By night, she dons boy's clothes and learns the ropes as a common sailor, finding herself torn between the gentle surgeon's mate and a rough, charismatic boson's mate.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Patricia lives a double life, as a lady with the officers and a sailor in the rigging. In what ways did each 'life' help her grow? Do you think she could have been her whole self in just one of those worlds?
2
Compare the two romantic interests, Aeneas MacPherson and John Dalton. What does each man represent to Patricia, and what does she learn about herself through her relationship with each of them?
3
Patricia defies many 18th-century expectations for women. What do you think was the riskiest choice she made, and why? What modern-day expectations do teens, especially girls, still face?
4
The ship is an isolated society with its own strict rules. How did this setting force Patricia to confront her beliefs about social class, her own capabilities, and her place in the world?
5
Dr. MacPherson tells Patricia that 'knowledge is freedom.' How does this prove to be true for her throughout the story, both with her medical training and her sailing skills?
