Seal Boy

by Ken Catran

Set in the 1840s, SEAL BOY tells the story of Emmet Tyler, a 14-year-old from the US port of Boston whose privileged upbringing has brought him a life of education and fine manners. So imagine his surprise and horror when he is attacked by thugs while on a visit to the wharves with his grandfather, and wakes up on board a whaling vessel bound for the South Pacific u on a voyage that could last three years! Emmet's journey of discovery begins as he learns the ways of the whaling ship and earns the respect of the crew. Upon arrival in Kororareka (Russell) in the Bay of Islands, he is ready to transfer to a home-bound ship, but the sacking of the town by local Maori forces him to make a hasty escape u into yet deeper trouble. He finds himself aboard a disreputable sealing ship, headed for the deep south. When its crew discover Emmet's identity and the reward offered for his return home u dead or alive u he finds himself among the hunted, stranded on a desolate island with only a family of seals for company. He must not only survive the winter but also outwit the ruthless men who think nothing of killing for money. Master storyteller Ken Catran has woven a tale of adventure and discovery, of personal growth and Emmet's transition from spoilt rich boy into a young man of integrity.

167 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2004

About the author

Ken Catran is a children's novelist and television screenwriter from New Zealand. He is the author of many teen novels, including Taken at the Flood, Voyage with Jason, Doomfire on Venus, Space Wolf, Talking to Blue and its sequel Blue Murder. He is perhaps best known for his Deepwater trilogy series