The Voyage of the Arctic Tern

Unbelievable. A 'NEW' sort of book! Quite unlike anything else available on the shelves, this is a real family read. I cannot recommend it highly enough.I'm in the UK for a while, where I first read this and where, I'm told, its something of a best-seller. Should do the same over here.

This charming adventure tale, told in verse, is a pleasure through and through. The varied rhythm keeps it from sounding monotonous, and the lively story kept me turning the pages. A delightful bedtime read.

I am 38 and I enjoyed reading this book myself although I bought it to read aloud to children (My nephew is 6 but it would be great for older kids-too hard for my 4 year old niece). It captures the best of the mystery of the sea and the brave people who sail it. It is also a deeply moral tale of a man, Bruno, seeking to right the wrongs he has done even if he has to wander through all time to do it. The book never preaches but draws the reader in, making you share bruno's quest. This story is made more magical by the verse used by the author to tell the story. Although it is set initially in England the locations are so reminiscent of the feel of the New England coast that you can readily imagine the characters walking through Gloucester or Edgartown. A great gift for children but you will enjoy it most if you read it with them.