Lost at Sea

by Jonathan Neale

Orrie and Jack don’t know much about sailing. One day they are basking on a beach in the Canary Islands where their mum has taken them on holiday. Two days later they board a small yacht, along with their little brother, their mother, and her new boyfriend, Skip, to sail across the Atlantic on a lark. Then Skip, the owner of Good Company, falls overboard. Something is wrong with their mother. She won’t leave her cabin. Orrie and Jack are used to taking care of her, but now it is up to them to navigate the thirty-six-foot boat to Antigua safely.
Lost at Sea, written in the alternating voices of two very smart, funny, and real kids, tells the story of a family working through their problems. It is also an intense and gripping adventure at sea that will have readers on the edge of their seats to the very last page.

Genres: Childrens

112 pages, Hardcover

First published April 29, 2002

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pulled this title hoping to add it to a list of water-y third grade reads (for the Summer Reading Program!)--checked the reading level: 3.8-(good, good), then sat down for a read. First I have to say it's a terrific book!

Orrie (short for Orchid) and her big brother Jack (real name: Sky)are of two minds when they learn that their mom's boyfriend has plans to sail them from the Canary Islands across the Atlantic to Antigua. Jack's excited but Orrie is dreading the experience. Their mother's mental state is unstable, but she seems to be enjoying her relationship with Skip and the kids' dad (an American living in New York) assure them he'll be waiting for them in Antigua. The trip starts off ok--they're sailing on a small boat, and Skip shows the kids (Orrie's 11 and Jack's 12) how to steer and do some basic reckoning--their younger brother Andy (6)is happily playing with some crabs he's adopted as pets, and all seems well. Then one night, Skip takes his time relieving Jack at the wheel and confesses that he's poured spaghetti-o's in the ship's gas tank so they'll have to rely solely on the sails for power--he blames women for wanting to use the engine and he prefers sail power. The next thing we know, Skip gets swept out to sea and Mom becomes catatonic from shock and the kids are on their own in the middle of the Atlantic. Yes, the situation is a bit cliched, but you still want to know how they manage to get out of this fix!


The story is told alternating between Orrie and Jack--they're cheeky and likeable, but it's clearly not a book that a third grader will find comfortable--unless they're cool with the early-in-the book reference to top-optional beaches. 6th, 7th and 8th graders will have no problem identifying with these two, though. It's a quick, easy, exciting read!

[Gwen the Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid adventure story about Jack and Orrie who go on a sailboat with their little brother, their mom, and her boyfriend, Skip. They are supposed to sail across the Atlantic, but after Skip wrecks the engine, he goes overboard one night when they're all asleep. Jack & Orrie's mom has clinical depression and some other problems and the loss makes her shut down. The kids are left on their own in the middle of the Atlantic to figure out how to get to Antigua. This is just as much a story of dealing with a mentally ill parent as it is an oceanic adventure. There is a lot of humor in the relationship between brother and sister, in spite of the tragic light in which the story is cast.

This one would appeal the reluctant readers, I think. I read it in under two hours, so it's also a quick read.

[Karen Cox · Rating 2 out of 5]

My daughter was given this book as a free giveway. I read it and I am not sure I will have her read it just yet. A 12 year old boy and 11 year old girl have to get their family safely across the Atlantic Ocean after the Mom's boyfriend falls overboard of his sailing ship and the Mom literally "checks out". These young kids face several trials that no young person should.

[Elisabeth Newbold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light reading...I loved the narrative because it keeps switching back and forth between the brother & sister, telling their different points of view. Some wry humor thrown in along with the dangerous circumstances....

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to read this book, but I was a little disappointed by some of the language choices the author had for the young children characters. Good story; I recommend this book for everyone ages 13+.

[Sarah]

Survival and adventure at sea

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was rather disappointing, but other than that the book was interesting.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling tale of two tweens guiding a small sailboat to safety on the ocean.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Future Paloma - This book was really good - read again!