Good-bye for Today : The Diary of a Young Girl at Sea

by Connie Roop, Thomas B. Allen (illustrator)

"Laura" doesn't want to keep a journal, but her mother says she must. After all, writing about the day-to-day life aboard her father's ship, the "Monticello," will preserve her memories of a most interesting and at times terrifying, experience.The "Monticello" is a whaling ship, and Laura's father has decided to bring Laura, her mother, and her little brother, William, along on this voyage, for as soon as they fill the ship's hold with whale oil in the Arctic they shall return to their home in New Bedford -- a home that Laura, who was born in the Sandwich Islands, has never seen.

But the long trip to the Arctic is a perilous one indeed. There are terrible storms, increasing cold, the thrill (and pity) of the whale hunt, the loss of crew members, and most of all the threat of ice, which can surround a ship and squeeze it into splinters.

Based on real journals from children who lived aboard nineteenth-century whaling ships, Peter and Connie Roop's story introduces young readers to one plucky girl and her family's unusual but fascinating lifestyle.

42 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2000

About the author

Peter Roop, a Wisconsin State Teacher of the Year, has been bringing books and children together for over 30 years. He has written extensively for Cricket and Cobblestone Magazines. He currently writes and speaks full-time. Last year he visited 10 states and talked with over 10,000 students! Connie Roop, a high school environmental science teacher, is a recipient of the Women Leaders in Education Award from the American Association of University Women and a Kohl Education Foundation Award for Exceptional Teaching. Last Year Connie visited four states and shared her writing experiences with 5,000 students..

Together, Connie and Peter have written 100 children's books ranging from historical fiction to nonfiction. Seven of their books are "Reading Rainbow" books, including Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie, a Feature Book. Their books have received recognition from the National Association of Science Teachers, National Council of Teachers of English, the Children's Book Council, and the American Library Association. They have presented over 800 workshops for students, educators and writers in 26 states as well as Europe, Africa and Asia.

Reviews

[Miss Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

gr 2-5

1871, Monticello whaling ship. Told in a diary format, 9 year old Laura reluctantly writes in her journal each day ending each entry with good-bye for today. Laura describes her daily experiences on the whaling ship the good and the bad.


Combines the real experiences of two girls living on whaling ships

[Alyssa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't one of my favorites. I didn't like it as much as other books I have read. Really boring not exciting like I had hoped for.