The Commodore's Cup

by Stephen W. Meader, Don Sibley (Illustrator)

To Luke Cramer, sailing meant everything, and to have a Comet Class boat of his very own was something he had long dreamed about. Meanwhile, the next best thing was crewing for Bruce Canning whenever there was a race.

It seemed, then, like a miracle to Luke to discover a Comet half buried in the muck of a South Jersey inlet where a raging northeaster had flung it. With eager hands, ingenuity, and backbreaking work, he succeeded in restoring the battered craft—abandoned as a loss by its owner—to its former beauty.

The starting gun of the Memorial Day races signaled the beginning also of Luke’s battle for the championship of the yacht-club fleet that summer. Each succeeding race and regatta sharpened Luke’s wits and his timing. But could he successfully pit his hard-won knowledge against the skill of more experienced sailors for the greatest win of all, the Commodore’s Cup?

Stephen W. Meader, recognized as one of the top-flight authors of books for teenagers has for many years lived on the Jersey coast and sailed its waters. It is with a sure knowledge and genuine love of sailing that he has written this fast, salty story that readers will enjoy, whether or not they have ever sailed a boat.

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1958

About the author

Stephen W. Meader (May 2, 1892 – July 18, 1977) was the author of over forty novels for young readers. His optimistic stories generally tended to either concern young men developing independent businesses in the face of adversity, or else young men caught up in adventures during different periods in American history.

Meader graduated from Haverford College in Philadelphia in 1913, and initially worked in Newark, New Jersey as a cruelty officer with the Essex County Children's Aid Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and by 1915 was working for the Big Brother Movement. After working for a Chicago publishing house in 1916, he took a position with the Circulation Department of the Curtis Publishing Company in Philadelphia, eventually reaching the position of Editor of the Sales Division publications. His first novel, The Black Buccaneer, was the first juvenile publication of the newly founded Harcourt, Brace and Howe.

Reviews

[Raymond Bial · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm steadily reading my way through all of Stephen Meader's books and I've loved every one of them. As with his other books, The Commodore's Cup is a beautiful and skillfully written novel this is not only enjoyable, but offers many satisfying insights on character. It is also a fascinating introduction to sailing and island life along the New Jersey coast.

[Rodney Haydon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting tale of a high schooler who loves sailing and takes the opportunity to get his own Comet Class boat and race for the coveted Commodore's Cup.