The Salt-Stained Book

Strong Winds #1

by Julia Jones, Claudia Myatt (Illustrator)

In 1945, two brothers die in the icy Barents Sea and a book is all that survives of them. More than sixty years later Donny and his mother set out for Suffolk to meet his mysterious great aunt. There is an accident and Donny is taken into care. But are the officials all that they seem and why won’t they believe Donny’s story? Soon he discovers that his life has been built on a lie. Only the new friendships he makes and an unsuspected talent for sailing help him steer his way through dangers that he cannot understand towards a knowledge of his own identity – and the secrets of a salt-stained book.

Genres: Fiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2011

About the author

Julia Jones, formerly also known as Julia Thorogood, is an English writer, editor, book publisher, aged-care advocate and classic yacht owner.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_J...

Reviews

[Daisy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK! Such a good story, I couldn't put it down, and read A Ravelled Flag and Ghosting Home afterwards, just as good. I love Julia Jones' books and I can't wait to read more! I'd definitely recommend her books!

[Thomas · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book didn't capture my imagination even though the blurb seems really interesting,

[James C Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun to read!

Great story and loved how well she describes sailing. Will now read the rest of the series including the new one, North Voyage, which is what started me reading this book when I saw an ad for it! Wish I'd heard of Julia Jones before!

[Emhowl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swallows and Amazons for the 21st century

An excellent story, which references Swallows and Amazons, with endearing characters (and others) and issues such as diversity, inclusivity and health and safety. I'll read it again!

[Rosie Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was attracted by the artwork.... and fell in love with the book!
It's a beautiful homage to Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons and his collection of nautical tales.
It makes for perfect holiday reading and brilliant for young adult readers and older ones 👌🏻

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely lived up to reputation as a modern day Arthur Ransome. Overall a lovely book although sometimes choice of “modern”/teenage language felt a little awkward/laboured which did slightly grate on me. A very pleasant read as a Suffolk river sailor.

[Kathleen Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This seems to be a book aimed at the YA market since the hero is a thirteen year old boy called Donny. But it's a good adult read too because the adult characters are interesting and beautifully drawn. Donny's family life has been something of a mystery. His mother Skye is profoundly deaf and has other problems now generally labelled 'learning difficulties'. Until recently they have been cared for by Donny's grandmother, but when she dies suddenly the whole landscape of his life changes. They are swamped by social workers - some of whom are not acting in their best interests. Donny snatches a letter from the hands of a man going through his grandmother's drawers and posts it off to an address in China. Apparently there is a mysterious great aunt who sends a telegram asking them to meet her at a port in Suffolk, date and location approximate. On the way there Skye and Donny have an incident in a parking lot that results in the arrest and sectioning of Skye and Donny being placed in a foster home. It's a graphic example of how people with communication difficulties are treated in our society.
But Donny is nothing if not resourceful. He makes friends with two sisters at his new school who just happen to have parents who sail. As soon as Donny gets into a boat he realises that this is where he was always meant to be - he is a natural, instinctive sailor. He's also incredibly courageous and I loved the story of his fight against social workers and corrupt police officers to find his mother and his great aunt. I won't spoil the plot by saying any more - but there's never a dull moment.
I loved Swallows and Amazons as a child (and so does Donny) and so I was bound to love this book. The author, Julia Jones, sails Arthur Ransome's boat Peter Duck and she knows a lot about sailing and Ransome's books.

[Mr Frederick M Soole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant update of swallows and amazons

[Andrew Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, especially for Arthur Ransome fans. It could benefit from a really good editor: by and large well written (it is Julia Jones' first novel) there are occasional 'clunks' and even typos, that made me realise half-way through that it must be self-published. Nonetheless I enjoyed the story and the characters and will both give it to other Ransome fans (not least my daughter) and also buy the sequel when it is published.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book that made me take another look at Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fresh idea. Makes me want to read Swallows and Amazons now. Touched on life in care in a sensitive way.