The Passage of Jamie Quill

by Kate Albus

Spine-tingling suspense aboard the Titanic’s sister ship as an orphan tries to escape his criminal uncle by pulling one last con—posing as a first-class passenger.

Twelve-year-old Jamie has never wanted to steal anything. But after the tragic death of his grandma, his conniving pickpocket uncle is the only family he has—even if Uncle is nothing like family at all. As much as he hates thievery, it’s his only way out. If he’s going to escape to freedom in America, he’ll need the funds to start a new life. And in order to get those funds, he’ll have to do exactly what Uncle demands—pretending to be a posh, first class boy aboard the White Star Line RMS Olympic.

Jamie is anything but the wealthy boy he’s pretending to be. He’s starving, for one, and it’s hard to get close to people you’re going to rob. But when he accidentally steals the diary of a boy his age—a real first class boy, the kind he can never truly become—he starts an unlikely friendship that could change both of their lives forever. As long as Jamie doesn’t get caught.

Rendered with warmth and immersive historical detail, Kate Albus’ latest middle grade is an unforgettable tale of the transformative power of kindness.

Genres: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Historical

256 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 23, 2027

About the author

Kate Albus grew up in New York but now lives in rural Maryland with her husband and children. She loves reading, baking, knitting, hiking, and other activities that are inherently quiet.

Reviews

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this delightful and heartfelt story from the incomparable Kate Albus, we follow the struggles of Jamie Quill, a young orphan forced into a life of villainy (made to be a pickpocket) by his guardian as he crosses the Atlantic on the RMS Olympic, the sister ship of the Titanic, posing as a first-class passenger. This story has it all: sumptuous and smart prose, wonderfully realized characters, and a protagonist we can't help but root for who discovers the rare treasures of friendship and kindness when he most needs it. A must read!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction by Kate Albus seems to always be the trifecta of comforting, compelling, and beautifully written. I swear she's a vessel to earlier times, when life was at times more simple, and yet also more complicated. Readers will absolutely fall in love with Jamie Quill and root for him to make it to the other side of his exciting journey. Do not miss this must-have for middle grade classrooms!

[Chrystal D. Giles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Albus has a way with language that wraps you up and holds you close. This historical fiction story has just enough of everything to hold young reader's attention and push them to root for a main character deserving of a happy ending. Well done!