The Man with the Silver Oar - Hardcover

Moore, Robin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0380978776 ISBN 13: 9780380978779

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2002

Synopsis

Stowaway...

In the year 1718, Daniel Collins, a well-brougbt-up young Philadelphian, can only dream of exchanging his orderly existence as a shipyard apprentice for a life at sea. Daniel is certain he'll never find a way to make his dreams a reality, especially since there's a chance he'll inherit his uncle's successful shipping business one day. When the opportunity arises, Daniel is surprised to find that he has the courage to stow away on a ship bound for southern waters; a ship in search of the pirates who are terrorizing merchant vessels all up and down the Atlantic coast. The Sea Turtle may look docile, but hidden beneath her decks is an arsenal of weapons, and her crew's assignment is to bring down pirates by any means. As a Quaker, Daniel has sworn not to take up weapons against any man. But it's possible that the most dangerous enemy of the Sea Turtle may be someone Daniel knows all too well. Will he cast aside his Quaker principles in order to help defeat the most notorious pirate of his time?

Robin Moore deftly weaves a tale of treachery on the high seas in this coming-of-age adventure that is as exciting as the era in which it is set.

About this title

About the Author:

Robin Moore, whose family has lived in the Pennsylvania mountains for two hundred years, makes his living as an author and storyteller.

Since 1981, he has presented more than two thousand programs and workshops at schools, museums, and festivals. His programs combine both traditional and original North American stories with demonstrations of old-time living skills.

Before turning to storytelling, Robin served as a combat soldier in Vietnam, earned a journalism degree from Pennsylvania State University, and worked as a newspaper reporter and magazine editor.

He now lives with his wife, Jacqueline, and their children, Jesse and Rachel, in a stone farmhouse on a small patch of land in Montgomery County, just north of Philadelphia.

Mr. Moore is also the author of MAGGIE AMONG THE SENECA, the sequel to THE BREAD SISTER OF SINKING CREEK.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 5-8 Moore deftly weaves a tale of treachery on the high seas in this coming-of-age adventure. In 1718, 15-year-old Daniel Collins, a well-brought-up Philadelphian living with his aunt and uncle, can only dream of exchanging his orderly existence as an apprentice in the shipyards for a life at sea. When he discovers that a family friend, Lieutenant Mainwaring, is outfitting a ship to hunt down pirates, in particular the notorious buccaneer Jack Scarfield, Daniel stows away on it. His Quaker upbringing forbids him to take up arms against his fellow man, but when he experiences firsthand the destruction left behind by the pirates, he must decide whether or not to compromise his principles in order to defeat the most notorious sea rover of the time. A trail of burning ships and murdered men leads to a climactic battle, in the course of which Daniel learns that his Uncle Elias and Scarfield are one and the same. This character, a figure based on a real person, is largely left unexamined. Daniel is a strong protagonist who leaves home as a boy but emerges from his adventure aboard the Sea Turtle as an emotionally strong and responsible individual. Violent encounters are compellingly related, secondary characters are nicely developed, and the author does a fine job of describing life at sea. An afterword provides interesting historical information about "The Golden Age of Piracy," and the original source of the tale of Captain Scarfield. A thematically rich story of friendship, betrayal, and familial honor. -Janet Gillen, Great Neck Public Library, NY
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0380978776
• ISBN 13: 9780380978779
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192