Stowaway
Overview & Summary
Based on the real, little-documented figure of Nicholas Young, this novel imagines the diary of an eleven-year-old boy who stows away aboard Captain James Cook's ship Endeavour to escape a cruel employer, and ends up circumnavigating the globe, surviving storms, disease, and encounters with Indigenous peoples of Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia. Karen Hesse grounds the fictional diary in Cook's and naturalist Joseph Banks's actual 1768 journals.
Available Formats
- Audiobook
- Hardcover
- Paperback
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Who This Book Is For
A great pick for Middle school students (Grades 6–8) studying History and Humanities. Helps students connect historical events with real human stories and broader perspectives.
Why CE Recommends This Book
Selected for Academic Enrichment & Readiness. Pushing slightly beyond standard classroom expectations, this title widens vocabulary, supports steady Lexile growth, and builds the academic rigor needed for advanced middle and high school courses.
