Queen of the Sea

by Reese Eschmann

With all the aspirational elements of Eloise and the heart and emotional intelligence of Ways to Make Sunshine , Queen of the Sea by Reese Eschmann is sure to set sail for success! All aboard! Caitlin and her big brother, Dylan, are still getting used to shuttling between Mom’s new little house and Dad’s fancy new condo after their divorce. But summer means a solid six weeks with her dad. Finally, one toothbrush in one place and all her outfits together! So when her dad announces that he’s gotten a new job on the fanciest, most fun, family-friendly cruise line -- and he’s bringing his kids along -- Caitlin has mixed feelings. For about a minute! Then off she goes on the adventure of a lifetime on biggest ship she’s ever seen, the Wandering Princess, which is tricked out to perfection. But soon the pressures of being a crew kid get to Caitlin. She's already had to adjust to two new homes . . . will she be able to make the Wandering Princess her third?

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Divorce, Childrens, Middle Grade, Chapter Books, Fiction

144 pages, Paperback

Published February 4, 2025

About the author

Reese Eschmann holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois-Chicago and worked in schools for six years. When she’s not writing or taking naps, Reese enjoys rock climbing, baking, and making movies with her family. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and their hound dog. Etta Invincible is her debut novel.

Reviews

[Sarah]

This was a cute chapter book about the true meaning of home. It's the first book in a new series set on a cruise ship, including such themes as friendships, family dynamics, and having a pet. It's an ideal read for ags 6-9 years old.

[Bethe]

Love premise of staff kid on a cruise ship - met a young family joining their medical staff husband/dad on last cruise
What if journal - see together all the pieces of her bearded dragon’s skin
Illustrated chapter book
Staff kids don’t really greet passengers
Been on lots of cruises and this one is not like any I’ve been on, but I don’t think the kids the kid readers/target audience would notice.
Cute ending. Good message is that home is where the people who love you are.
Good opening for rest of series.

[Kelsey Sicard]

A sweet chapter book with a beautiful message about the meaning of home, from a spunky kid and her brother navigating split time between their divorced parents. Such a fun setting, too! Good for grades 2-3

[Nadina]

Reading it for the audience of young readers who are haystack starting to independently read chapter books this was enjoyable. I liked the characters, the plot, the pace. Definitely would recommend.

[Ms. Yingling]

Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Caitlin and her brother Dylan are trying to get used to the changes in their lives after their parents' divorce. They are both looking forward to staying in one place as they stay with their father for six weeks in the summer, but their father has big news. He has taken a job as a doctor on the Wandering Princess cruise ship, and they will be joining him! With a hastily packed suitcase, their shared journal, and Caitlin's bearded dragon Peaches in tow, they are soon off on their adventure. Caitlin and Dylan have to share a room, but they get along pretty well, and there's the whole rest of the ship to explore. In the staff quarters, they meet Olive and Max, who are staying with their grandfather, the ship's chef, while their own parents travel. They are old hands at cruise ships, and Caitlin doesn't enjoy feeling like a "newbie". While lounging at the pool, the group meets Gigi, a retired movie star, and her poodle, Pearl. There's a little mishap with spilled food, and the cruise ship manager, Simone, gets involved, but Gigi doesn't mind the kids, and is soon involved in Caitlin's attempt to change the nightly reading of the Wandering Princess legend on the loud speaker. Being on a cruise ship and helping to take care of passengers involves a bit of a learning curve, but Caitlin and Dylan manage to enjoy their new surroundings.

What a great adventure the high seas would be for a nine year old, especially if it involves all you can eat buffets, a pool with a slide, and glamorous passengers! I've never been on a cruise, but have watched PLENTY of The Love Boat episodes, so learning about the behind-the-scenes details of a cruise ship was very interesting. I liked that Caitlin and Dylan got a long with each other, and that they were also able to make friends with Max and Olivia. Including an adult who was not a parent, Gigi, was fun as well.

Chapter book series are a great way to get elementary aged readers hooked on a story, and this volume will be followed by Raining Cats and Dogs and Ship Shape, so readers who want to continue their journey (and find out why Max doesn't have any hair) will want to pick these up as well, maybe at their next school book fair.

Having a bearded dragon on a cruise ship seems like a bad idea; when Peaches went missing, I was sure she would be swept overboard, and that's not something anyone survives. I was also concerned about Pearl when I looked at the cover. Young readers won't have this anxiety and will enjoy having the pets along.

There are so many good beginning chapters books, but many of them are set in very ordinary circumstances. Add Cruise Life to a list of books about more interesting experiences that includes Barnett's Mac B. Undercover (world traveling spy), Subramaniam V. Malar: The Greatest Host of All Time (living in India), and Jacobsen's Twig and Turtle series (residing in a tiny house).

[Liz]

Caitlin and her brother have been traveling back and forth between their mom's new house and their dad's new condo after the divorce. Caitlin's excited to spend the first 6 weeks of the summer in one place, her dad's. That is until she finds out he's gotten a new job as a doctor on a cruise ship, and they are going to stay with him for 1 week. So much for consistency. But it is a cruise. And she gets to bring her pet bearded dragon. This book captures Caitlin's nervousness and helps those who have never been on a cruise ship to appreciate its massive size. A good realistic chapter book that's a step up from first chapter books without a big plot or any pictures. Reminded me of the Suite Life of Zack and Cody.

[Pam]

Start of a new series about two siblings learning about life on a cruise ship. Their dad has a job as the ship's doctor for the summer and they have come along for the first week. Readers will appreciate their adventures and the way Caitlin faces her fears. They meet new friends and help passengers, and, even Peaches, her bearded dragon settles in their new home.

[Madeline]

A fun, sweet story about figuring out where you belong :)

The back of the book says it’s for 2nd-3rd grade… which seems odd to me since it seems more advanced for 2nd grade (I taught 2nd grade before, so many are still in the early to middle stages of learning how to read). Probably more for 3rd-4th grade, but that’s just me 🤷‍♀️

Really enjoyed and recommend for a fun summery read :)

[carrietracy]

It's a fun beginning chapter book that would be fairly ordinary except for it's set on a cruise ship, which to me anyway, was a huge incentive. I've never read a kid's book on a modern cruise ship! It's the start of a series too, so I expect readers will want to continue.

[SHANNON HOFF]

Great beginning chapter book! Helps build up self-esteem and gracefully approaches topics of fitting in, divorced parents and the constant back and forth. Super cute premise and I cannot wait to keep reading. Definitely will be adding to my school library!

[Anna]

Would have been better if there had been an identifiable problem and resolution. Felt like it was more of a travel diary.

[Crystal]

Good book for kids 3rd grade to 5 th.

[Drew]

Interesting premise, but never really goes anywhere interesting.

[Heather]

Super cute story. As a Native Floridian who lives in Central Florida, this book had me hooked.
Very short story which is perfect for younger readers. Can’t wait for book 2.

[Emily Humes]

📚 Cute story, nice and short, great opening for the rest of the series. Almost reminded me of Suite Life of Zack and Cody but on a cruise ship.

[Emily]

SSYRA 2026-2027

[Lexi]

A cute, short chapter book for kids. Kids were a bit chaotic but it had a couple good themes: overcoming fears, creativity, home is a where the heart is.

[Sofia Blanco]

Another book club book for my 3rd-5th graders!

[Cristina]

This is a Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA) book choice for the 2026-27 school year. It’s in the grades 3-5 category and definitely reads at the lower end of that as a beginning chapter book. The book is an easy, quick read that I think kids would like. It’s set in Port Canaveral, FL and on the cruise ship. Those two places are very relatable for most Florida kids. I think the book also will get kids interested in reading more of this series. I would recommend for beginning chapter book readers.

[Diana LA]

This was a cute story about a brother and a sister who go to live on a cruise for the summer while their Dad is working on it. They meet new friends and overcome fears. It is perfect for those transitioning to chapter books (3rd grade or so!)

[Kara]

Sunshine State Book ‘26-‘27