Eleven Year-Old Boy Needs Sailing Adventure Book

[SuenosAzules]

Try giving him the book "Robinson Crusoe" by Daniel Defoe, one of the classics. A great book I read when I was a boy. It has everything, sailing, romance, adventure, battles, dangerous natives, etc.. Just a thought, should keep him captivated reading it and may open the doors to more technical reading about sailing. You can find the book on amazon dot com.

[CalebD]

From a totally American perspective 'The Boy, me and the cat" is a narrative written by Henry Plummer around 1912. The book is largely the captains log as he and his son make their way from MA down to FL and back. It is interesting historical description of the US east coast and an easy read.
Amazon.com: The Boy, Me, and the Cat (9781589762268): Henry Plummer: Books
It is a great read an nothing British to get chuffed about. There is even some American slang in it.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Cormorant

Robb White's "The Lion's Paw" is a great sailing adventure story.

Also, the Arthur Ransome books -- starting with "Swallows and Amazons." It takes a bit of getting used to the British idiom, and I find some modern American readers won't get past the first 20 pages of S&A. If you do, it picks up steam and is un-put-downable. Then, you can move on to such treats as "We Didn't Mean to Go to Sea," and "Peter Duck," and the rest.

G'Day all,

Another vote for Ransome's books. While a bit dated (ho,ho) they exemplify the kind of adventure that is available for youngsters (8-teens as I recall) on their own in small boats, gradually evolving to cruising venues. Really good stuff!

cheers,

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Lake Macquarie,, NSW Oz

[Talbot]

11 year old is a bit young for the technical excellence of O'Brian

Agree the CS Forester - Hornblower series
Alexander Kent - Bolitho series

But at that age, Dudley Pope and his Ramage series is probably better.

Later he can gain perspective of the period by reading Stockwin -Kydd series.


Swallows and Amazons series cannot be beaten for adventures for the young.

Swiss Family Robinson, and Robinson Crusoe are classics that should not be missed.

[schoonerdog]

Another vote for Dove here... and friends recently suggested the book Stowaway by Karen Hesse. I have not read it with my son yet, but it's the fictional account of an 11 year old boy who stows away on Cap Cooks ship and has quite an adventure. Sounds perfect to me!

We're also looking at (but have not heard yet) the audio book version of Carry On Mr. Bowditch told by the amazing storyteller Jim Weiss (kids are magically captivated by his voice and humor, ALL of his tales are magical).

(cindy, schoonerdog's wife)

[GreaseMonkEGirl]

Hands down, one of my very favorite books!!!

[Healer52]

I read the story of Nathaniel Bowditch when I was (I guess) 9 or 10...then got a copy of Bowditch and a sextant when I was 12....

[Healer52]

Originally Posted by Inkwell

O'Brians are sometimes difficult for young people to read because the language of old english which at times is difficult to read, saying that have him read Alexander Kent series. They are easier and just as a fun and knowledgeable.

O'Brian's hard for older folks to read too. Fortunately, there is a lexicon available: and an illustrated encyclopedia and even a cookbook! …

Although I cannot recommend the spotted dick, unfortunately.

[satdiver]

This is a forgotten story by many. Robin Lee Graham the 16 y/o that solo circumnavigated for 5 years on a 23ft sloop in 1965. Great read for a kid his age. Great book. The kid used a Sextant to navigate most of his journey. I like Patrick O'Brien as well

[SaucySailoress]

I'm with Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons. That is the series which got me truly hooked on sailing.

[Drew13440]

"Dove" is great one. RLG also did a picture book version called "The Boy Who Sailed Around the World Alone." I still have it but it may be more appropriate for a younger kid.

I'd give hime Kipling's "Captains Courageous," too. A classic.

[Chief Engineer]

banger and mash, bubble and squeak, earth, bonnet, petrol, paraffin, ring spanner, knee-wobbler

[Chief Engineer]

Kon-Tiki........sailing on a raft.......

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Aaza Dana

I'm with Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons. That is the series which got me truly hooked on sailing.

G'Day,

I note that you, I and several others have recommended Ransomes books, and I suddenly wondered if they are currently available? Seems that my good lady Ann has never read them, and would like to see why I'm so enthusiastic about the series.

I loved them all, but my two favorites were "Peter Duck" and "We Didn't Mean To Go To Sea".

Cheers,

Jim and Ann s/v INsatiable II lying Manly, Qld, Oz, about ready to head North

[schoonerdog]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

G'Day,

I note that you, I and several others have recommended Ransomes books, and I suddenly wondered if they are currently available? Seems that my good lady Ann has never read them, and would like to see why I'm so enthusiastic about the series.

I loved them all, but my two favorites were "Peter Duck" and "We Didn't Mean To Go To Sea".

Cheers,

Jim and Ann s/v INsatiable II lying Manly, Qld, Oz, about ready to head North

They are very readily available!
Amazon.com: arthur ransome