Tom Cringle: The Pirate and the Patriot (Tom Cringle 2) - Hardcover

Hausman, Gerald

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 068982811X ISBN 13: 9780689828119

Publisher: Aladdin, 2001

Synopsis

A fourteen-year-old's heart-stopping sea adventure!

The war of 1812 is raging and fourteen-year-old Tom Cringle has just been made a lieutenant in the British navy. He's thrilled, but also worried that nobody -- especially hard, seasoned sailors -- will take a kid in charge seriously.

There's not too much time to worry though, because suddenly Tom finds himself off the coast of Jamaica: chasing elusive slave ships, fighting man-eating sharks, and enduring brutal battles.

Tom struggles with his conscience as he is ordered to travel across swampy wilderness to return a group of stolen slaves back to their master's plantation. Suddenly men are depending on Tom to save their very lives as they travel through uncharted territory with angry and vengeful pirates on their trail. And once again Tom tests his limits as he stands up for what he believes is right, even when authorities disagree with him.

About this title

About the Author:

Gerald Hausman is a professional storyteller who has spent more than thirty years gathering stories in the United States and West Indies. He based this book and its predecessor, Tom Cringle: Battle on the High Seas on Tom Cringle's Log by Michael Scott, a novel originally published in 1833, and on authentic journals and logbooks of the time. Mr. Hausman is the acclaimed author of many books for children, including two he cowrote with his wife, Loretta -- Dogs of Myth, illustrated by Barry Moser, and Cats of Myth, illustrated by Leslie Baker. He lives in Bokeelia, Florida.

From School Library Journal:

Gr 5-8-The War of 1812 is raging in this action-packed sequel to Tom Cringle: Battle on the High Seas (S & S, 2000). Fourteen-year-old Tom, now promoted to first lieutenant in the Royal Navy, is serving on the brig Kraaken, assigned to patrol the waters between Jamaica and Cuba and to capture American privateers and slave smugglers. While at sea, the crew encounters violent weather, loses the cabin boy to a shark attack, and captures a pirate ship with a cargo of stolen slaves. When its escort brig attacks the Kraaken, Tom and his men board it and set fire to the powder magazine, causing the vessel to explode and sink. Tom, barely recovered from his battle wounds, is then given the task of returning the slaves to Cinnamon Hill plantation. He is torn by this difficult assignment; in his heart he believes that slavery is wrong. On the overland trek through the Jamaican jungle, he and his men endure a series of violent attacks from American pirates led by his nemesis. In a rousing climax, Tom captures the pirate Jenkins and his ship. Unfortunately, the issue of returning the slaves to servitude is dealt with in a facile manner. Captain Smythe conscripts them into the British Navy, a dubious fate since Royal Navy life at this time was brutal. Although marred by the failure to explore this moral issue, the lively plotting, picturesque language, and colorful setting make this an exciting tale.

Patricia B. McGee, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Aladdin
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 068982811X
• ISBN 13: 9780689828119
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 157
• Illustrator: Hills Tad