Sea Cutter: Book I in The Chronicles of Nathaniel Childe

Chronicles of Nathaniel Childe #1

by Timothy C. Davis

It’s 1771 and I’ve just gotten a secret message from Father who—all of New Bedford says—went down with his ship in 1769, when I was eleven. I know I promised my old friend Wayland not to put to sea without Mother’s permission, but what’s more important—keeping a promise or finding Father? If you want to come with me, help me find a ship bound for the South Atlantic, and we’ll search together for a legendary island, and Father.

But watch out for a smelly, slim, oily-looking sailor with a tattoo of a viper coiled around his arm. We’re going to leave him far behind…

Genres: Middle Grade, Adventure

Nook

First published July 14, 2011

About the author

Tim Davis got into trouble at age 12 for reading Treasure Island under his blankets by flashlight when he was supposed to be sleeping. When he grew up, he pursued his love of children’s literature by earning a PhD in English and teaching Children’s Literature at university. He left academia in order to move to the San Francisco Bay Area and teach elementary school under an emergency program that let college graduates teach if they worked in the inner city. Tim Davis still lives in the Bay Area with his family, and recently began writing a series of children’s books that he hopes will get some other kids in trouble for reading under the blankets with a flashlight.

Reviews

[Crystal Marcos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timothy C. Davis managed to transport me right to the era and moment of his exciting seafaring tale. I am an avid reader of children's literature. I don't have much time to read lately however it was the cause of a couple of late nights. I just had to know happened next! Davis does a tremendous job building characters readers will love and love to loathe. Fast paced and full of action it will certainly keep its readers interest. Notable and memorable it teaches a lesson on the importance of truth. This book isn't just for a child but for the child in all of us. I thoroughly enjoyed Sea Cutter and look forward to reading the sequel Red Stone: Book II in the Chronicles of Nathaniel Childe.

[Kaitlyn Rinehart · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an adventure filled read!

[Erik This Kid Reviews Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two years after Nathaniel’s father died in a shipwreck, a package arrived from him. There was a mysterious treasure inside and a note from Nat’s father which made Nat believe, even more, that his father did not die! The letter and the treasure were clues about where to find his father, but how could a fourteen year-old boy navigate the seas alone, especially when no one in the village believes his father survived. Nat tricks a family friend (Wayland) into sailing his ship, the Sea Cutter, into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean in hopes of finding his father. Unfortunately an evil stowaway sneaks onto the Sea Cutter and uses Nat to hatch his own plan of getting what he wants. Can Nat and Wayland survive the stormy ocean, a whale attack, starvation, Nat deceiving Wayland and the murderous stowaway hidden on board?

Sea Cutter is the first ebook in the Chronicles of Nathaniel Childe. Mr. Davis’ second ebook in the series is titled “Red Stone” and I already have my copy and am looking forward to reading it! Mr. Davis says on his website that he is currently writing a third ebook in the series. Sea Cutter is a historical adventure book and I tend to really like a book like that. This book was VERY thrilling! I think the book would be good for readers aged 9+. There were some tense moments and fighting but nothing that is inappropriate for kids. There were a couple of parts in the book that were predictable but there were also some great surprises to the plot too. My favorite character is Paulo, an orphan that Wayland and Nat meet along their journey. Paulo is kind and an experienced sailor. I really didn’t like how Nat was lying all the time, it made me not like him as much as I would have liked to. This is a book that gets you right into the action from the beginning (and there is A LOT of action)!

I really went back and forth with my rating for this book between four and five book worms. I am giving it a five because it is just a great adventure story, it really kept me reading it and I am really looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I hope Nat is a bit more likeable in that book.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sea Cutter: Book 1 in The Chronicles of Nathaniel Childe by Timothy Davis takes place in Massachusetts in 1771. Ever since his father went missing two years ago, Nathanial and his mother have been working hard to make ends meet. Because his father was lost at sea, Nat had to promise his mother he would never go out on a boat. This might be an easy promise for a boy to make, but not one who lives in New Bedford, where whaling and fishing boats are constantly going out to sea. When Nat receives a trunk from his father with a secret message in it, he knows he must try to save him. He convinces Wayland, a family friend, that he has permission from his mom to sail with him, and they are off. They just need to stay away from the evil sailor with the viper tattoo. Can Nat handle being on a boat or will he become ill? Will Nat and Wayland find Nat’s father? Will the pirate who is looking for them catch up with them? Take to the seas and see what is in store for these adventurous sailors.


I would definitely recommend this book to third- seventh graders. This was a quick and interesting read. I like the historical aspects to it and I learned about things I didn’t know about before. Nat is easy to relate to, and you can’t help but hope for the best for him. The story was easy to understand and fast paced. There is a lot of action and adventure! I was on the edge of my seat as I turned the pages, and I was curious to see how everything would turn out for Nat, his dad, and Wayland. Reading about Nat’s experience, I could see how lies might lead to trouble in unexpected ways. This book makes history come to life, and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

[Michelle Isenhoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

“He’s not dead!”

“Please Nathaniel. It’s been two years. He’s not coming back,” my mother begged.

“How can you give up on him?” I yelled.

Nat’s heart tells him his father survived the shipwreck. But where is he? Why has he left Nat and his mother to a pauper’s existence in New Bedford? Then Nat receives a package from his father, one that had been stolen and delivered years late. One containing treasure. The accompanying letter indicates that his father may be alive on an island in the Atlantic, but none of the sea dogs in New Bedford’s harbor believe in the island’s existence. None of them but the one with hard, snakelike eyes…

Nat eventually persuades an old family friend to make the voyage, but he accomplishes it with deceit. As they sail, Nat’s dishonesty grows and broadens, finally enmeshing him in a murderous scheme. How did a simple lie grow so monstrous? Will it cost him the very things he holds most dear?

Sea Cutter is a cleanly written adventure with lots of positives. It celebrates truth, family, friendship, honor and forgiveness, and it does so with a LOT of excitement. Mr. Davis has sections of absolutely beautiful prose, but his greatest strength is a flair for creating danger. He’s a master of foreshadowing, and each chapter ending leaves Nat in impossible scrapes. The tale twists and turns in some unexpected directions, but some well-planted clues help us guess at others. It’s a fun read for anyone, but boys especially will eat up the exploits of this swashbuckling, brave young hero.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a young adult book, but I found it exciting to read. Nathaniel can't believe that his father died when his ship the Christopher went down at sea. His fathers best friend Wayland wasn't so sure himself. Nathaniel's mother doesn't want Nathaniel to have anything to do with the sea. Jennifer has to leave town and makes Nathaniel promise he will stay away from the ships and sea. A chest shows up while his mother is gone and it's his fathers personal chest. Wayland made him promise not to open his mothers surprise from his father. There's a map in the chest and a pearl that makes Nathaniel think his dads alive.Wayland tells him if he gets permission from his mom they could take the sea cutter(Waylands boat) out to sea and see if they can find some answers. Wayland is a very nice man, he cares a lot for Nathaniel. Nathaniel lies to his mom and Wayland and says he has his moms permission. They take the sea cutter out to sea, little did they know they have a stow away. A slimy, stinky man named Snake. The adventure is just beginning as the sea cutter cuts threw the waves in search of treasure and possibly finding his father. Come along with Nathaniel and Wayland on a adventure that will have you sailing along the pages with their gripping tale. I like this authors style.

Disclaimer: I won this book, the author has never asked for a review. I wanted to leave a review as the book deserves one.

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit although this is a young adult or pre-teen book, I was captivated. It must be the kid in me. Excellent book for anyone who likes plots containing adventures at sea. The adventure isn't the only subject matter that grabs you, it's the internal conflict of the main character that does. As you read on, you can relate to the moral of the story. That's what I liked about it. There are so many books for younger readers that do not express life's simple lessons; I was glad to find that the Sea Cutter does. This book creates a fantastic adventure with an internal conflict most young readers will relate to. There's a subtle lesson learned along with page turning excitement, suspense, gentle kindness along with humor. I would have to put the Sea Cutter in my top 10 for entertaining younger readers.

[Bert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sea Cutter is a fast moving tale about a young man swept from drudgery and loss into high adventure and a wonderful quest. Set in the early 1700s, the action moves from the sea port of New Bedford, to the high seas, to an exotic island and ultimately, home. To an adult reader the characters are strong and clearly delineated archetypes in the tradition of Kidnapped, Mobey Dick and The Odyssey. To a young reader, the action and the people will be memorable. The author underpins his terrific sea story, but doesn't overwhelm it, with a fine moral theme. Outstanding! Very much looking forward to BookII.

[Tish · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Sea Cutter. It has storms at sea, mutinies, pirates, secret islands--what's not to like? The story is easy to read and fast-moving and is well-suited for younger readers (it reminded me in some ways of Magic Tree House books). This is a swashbuckling story whose main character learns some important lessons amidst all the excitement he encounters.

The only thing I would change is I wish the author had delved a bit deeper into the emotions of the main character and the descriptions of both his surroundings and the action scenes. However, I'm an adult and while I might prefer more depth, it might make the book harder for younger readers to get into.

[Paul Swearingen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot of this story of a young boy at sea never slows; Timothy Davis has re-crafted a tale that is sure to please pre-teens and those slightly older. Intrigue, deceit, threats, treasure, and an isolated paradise are all combined in a manner reminiscent of both Nordhoff and Hall's and Isabel Allende's coming-of-age stories. The characters are unique, even the villains, and the ending of the story is indeed a cliffhanger - literally.

[Angie Shoemaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books when I was a girl. (Back then, its title was _In Search of Perlas Grandes_.) I gave it five stars because I loved it so much then, not because I now think it’s so exemplary.

I just finished reading it aloud to my two youngest children. It was so much fun to see them caught up in the suspense and adventure. It was especially gratifying to see them beg for me to read “just one more chapter” just like I did to my mom when she left us at the cliffhangers.

[Malika Bourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Sea Cutter. I was hooked by the first paragraph. Through out the fast moving story I could taste the salt in the sea air. I felt Nate's heart beat fast during his adventure to learn about his father's death. I didn't see the twists coming. I would recomend this for a girl or boy tween.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great family read!

Fun read aloud book with kids of all ages! Perfect for grade school kids to read by themselves. Simple words and fun story!

[K.A. Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very gripping, thrilling, and exciting story with a character that struggles with his very visible sinful flaws everyone can identify with.

[G.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timeless adventure at its best

In Sea Cutter, author Timothy Davis takes readers back to a time when men are honorable, where their word is their bond, where good and evil are more greatly defined, and where a boy through his everyday experiences can mature and realize his full measure.

While short, there is so much good going on in this YA novella that it's difficult to pick out just a few highlights. The protagonist, Nathaniel Childe, is forced to be the man of the family when his father, a ship's captain, is presumed lost at sea. Nat never gives up hope that his father still lives, and so when the possibility to go after him presents itself, Nat does whatever is necessary to do it.

Unfortunately, that means lying and stealing, though both offenses are forgivable given the circumstances. But Nat discovers that even those indiscretions have consequences, real-life consequences that don't only jeopardize his rescue mission, but threaten his life and the lives of those he cares for.

Honor, integrity and truth are just as important in this book as is the adventure on the high seas and the elements of the timeless quest for treasure.

This is your grandfather's boyhood adventure book made new, and I say that with all the respect and homage it deserves. Every passage will have the reader engaged, and every chapter's cliffhanger will propel you onto the next.

I highly recommend Sea Cutter for boys ages 9-14, who still long for adventure, to discover the island that doesn't exist, or who just wants something good to read. I'll recommend it for everyone else, too, who might be curious what their son, brother or friend is reading and raving about.

[Donna Sadd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a complete sucker for nautical adventures. Give me sea captains, a capable but motley crew, swashbucklers, pirates and set me at sea on a mighty sailing ship back a couple of hundred years ago and I'm happy.

That's where SEA CUTTER landed me and it did not disappoint. This is a book for middle grade readers; yet author Tim Davis did not dumb it down. Sure, the morals of honor and honesty come through loud and clear; however, the story tosses one on waves and crests, complete with villainous thugs, that will keep kids and adults alike eagerly sailing the story to its end.

The main character, Nathaniel `Nat' Childe is a 13 year-old boy who does not believe that his sea captain father, gone 2 years, is dead. That belief is bolstered into real hope when his father's best friend Wayland comes back from sea and delivers Nat a trunk addressed from his dad. The Captain's trunk contains a secret map to an island of pearl treasures which speeds Nat and Wayland to embark on a spine-tingling adventure.

We find that Nat has the makings of becoming an honorable man in the fact that the teen learns to single-handedly run a business to support his widowed mother and himself by repairing intricate ship instruments. However, when in a quandary to rescue his father, Nat takes to lying to get his way and that comes with severe consequences that propel the reader through this story.

The only small sticking point is that some of Nat's descriptions were not of the vocabulary I'd ascribe to a thirteen year old; nevertheless, the words Mr. Davis has written paint perfect pictures! I enjoyed reading SEA CUTTER and highly recommend it.

Now off to read Book II- RED STONE!

[Danica is Booked · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating is actually 3.5 stars.

I received this for review from the author. Here is a portion of my review.

My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: This is a book that I imagine young boys absolutely adoring. It's meant for a younger audience, late elementary-early middle school maybe.

The novel was actually pretty short, but it was entertaining and interesting. I really enjoyed reading it.

The main character Nat was one that I could easily relate to and one that I enjoyed reading about. And I also really loved Wayland.

This novel was action-packed and had a really well-developed voice. I definitely would recommend this to young boys seeking an adventure book.

The plot was intriguing and I can tell that this boy is going to have many more intriguing adventures ahead of him. I've always been fascinated by books about sailors and the ocean and so I really enjoyed this novel.

I felt like I was inside a young thirteen-year-old boy's head and that was very refreshing. I enjoyed reading it, and would recommend it to any young reader interested in an adventure/sailor book.

In Summary: A great adventure book for young boys that is filled with action, is well-written.

For a more extended review, please visit My Review Here

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timothy Davis weaves a beautiful coming of age story into the backdrop of the raging Atlantic. Sea Cutter is a delightful adventure for readers of all ages. Set in the 1770’s, it is the tale of a thirteen- year-old-boy named Nat on a quest to Perlas Grandes (a supposedly mythical island filled with huge pearls) to find his father, who is shipwrecked and presumed dead. When Nat’s aunt becomes ill, he insists his mother leave town to care for her sister. Living alone and grieving the loss of his father, young Nat single-handedly operates a successful chandlery while struggling to overcome his fears and insecurities. Throw in a murderous snake of a man with a mind for vengeance, the arrival of a mysterious trunk from Nat’s missing father, and a headlong voyage into the high sea, and you get Book I in The Chronicles of Nathaniel Childe, a story impossible to put down. I recommend this book to anyone who loves and appreciates the priceless gift of a well-written story.

[L.R.W. Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read and would be good for an early chapter book reader. There were several unexpected twists at the beginning and middle but the end resolved too quickly and predictably for my liking.

SPOILER:
The punishment of Wayland was executed too quickly leaving me knowing he had to reappear. I think if the punishment had been drawn out more, it would not have left me feeling as if he would reappear. It would have been great if I really thought Wayland had died. Then, to have him come back would have been truly enjoyable.

[Jessica Lynn]

Excellent read aloud with my kids - though, we have it under the title In Search of Perlas Grandes. My teachers read it to me when I was in elementary school and now I have been reading with my elementary children. What fun!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty good read, would mostly recommend it to young boys/girls though.

[Danie Cutter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little sea faring tale, easily read if slightly predictable. A good book to read to young children or by read by pre teens.