68 Knots

November 1, 2007
Gr 9 Up-A summer training camp for teen sailors goes awry at the start, when the three counselors quit in protest of the ship's vindictive, drunken captain. It isn't long afterward that the campers find him in his quarters, a victim of suicide. Alone on the "Dreadnought", the eight novices are reluctant to end their trip prematurely and decide to bury the man at sea and stay on the ship for the remaining 68 days of summer in New England's coastal waters. Arthur, a 17-year-old rich kid, proclaims himself captain, delegating jobs and putting his mates through safety drills, but is frequently challenged by tough, foul-mouthed Crystal and goof-off Logan, who abuses the ship's alcohol cache. When supplies run out, the "booty pirates" travel from harbor to harbor, stealing lobsters from traps and raiding unoccupied luxury yachts. Shipmates also include Joy, the bible-toting cook; mild-mannered BillFi; brawny Jesse; free-spirited Dawn; and pampered Marietta, who ultimately leaves the ship in a jealous rage, adding to the group's worry about being turned in to the authorities. The "Dreadnought" encounters a ghost ship, chases after a pirate's treasure, rescues a netted whale, and saves some shipwrecked sailors before the teens "face the music." Readers may overlook the stereotyped characters and far-fetched plot for the realistic setting, technical sailing elements, and teen dynamics, but it's all pretty unbelievable."Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY"

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