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The Skipper's Child
For Arie Kornet, School holidays on his family's barge, the Rival, are more than tedious. His father is a Dutch commercial skipper, and all they do is travel from one place to another on the European waterways, delivering and taking on goods. His deaf mother and his two sisters accept the lifestyle, but Arie is intensely frustrated with it all – especially as it is December and Christmas is coming. It seems there is nothing for him to do on board, and no escape. That is, until an unexpected stowaway, a frightening encounter with Russian secret agents and an alarming international plot bring him far more excitement than he has ever bargained for. Suddenly, his own life, and those of his entire beloved family, are in danger. Forced in to a new and adult role, Arie is faced with difficult decisions to make, and even more difficult actions to take.
The Skipper's Child is an exciting story of adventure and suspense set in the evocative world of the commercial waterways during the coldest winter of the Cold War.
The Skipper's Child is an exciting story of adventure and suspense set in the evocative world of the commercial waterways during the coldest winter of the Cold War.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 8, 2014
I have been following Valerie Poore's blog for a while because I too am mad about boats (she lives on a barge in Holland) and decided to get one of her books. I chose The Skipper's Child after reading a short excerpt and immediately loving it. I am so glad I did. Even though it is described as a children's book, it is actually far more.
Certainly your children will love the adventures that the three Dutch children have. They live on a barge, traveling the canals in the cold, snowy winter and get involved in hiding a young Russian boy from brutal henchmen who are seeking him. The descriptions are beautiful. The detail and knowledge about this unusual way of life are fascinating and the authors has a unique style that flows easily and breathes life into each character.
As an adult I loved the way the author drew her characters with such understated skill. I soon felt that I knew young Arie and his sisters well. The carefully developed characters of the parents was subtle and touching. You felt the pain that had touched their lives at the loss of their first born, the way their lives had stagnated as their family had grown and with it their responsibilities. Their love and vitality is reawakened as they too are forced to open their hearts to the vulnerable Russian boy.
This is a book I can really recommend as a Christmas present that the whole family will enjoy. I am now looking forward to reading other books by this author.
Certainly your children will love the adventures that the three Dutch children have. They live on a barge, traveling the canals in the cold, snowy winter and get involved in hiding a young Russian boy from brutal henchmen who are seeking him. The descriptions are beautiful. The detail and knowledge about this unusual way of life are fascinating and the authors has a unique style that flows easily and breathes life into each character.
As an adult I loved the way the author drew her characters with such understated skill. I soon felt that I knew young Arie and his sisters well. The carefully developed characters of the parents was subtle and touching. You felt the pain that had touched their lives at the loss of their first born, the way their lives had stagnated as their family had grown and with it their responsibilities. Their love and vitality is reawakened as they too are forced to open their hearts to the vulnerable Russian boy.
This is a book I can really recommend as a Christmas present that the whole family will enjoy. I am now looking forward to reading other books by this author.
December 29, 2024
The Skipper's Child could be different things to different readers. It depends on your perspective ~ It could be a story of espionage or it could be a very relevant coming of age tale, just a grand adventure or a story about life on a barge. It could be young adult or a story for children. To me it was all of the above and so much more that I was reluctant to put it down, eager to find out how it ends and at the same time I wanted this story to never end ~ I was so enthralled by the life and adventures of the Kornet family.
The story begins with Arie, the 12 year old son of a commercial barge skipper whose holidays are spent on European inland waterways as his father transports wares to different places like Rotterdam or Antwerp, in this case France.
Arie wishes his father was a normal office or factory worker and he thinks it is funny that normal people watch the world go past, but boat people go past the world. Arie's boredom is obliterated when he encounters a young Russian boy unknowingly ensnared in an international conspiracy, a stowaway on their barge. Once Arie learns what the boy has been through his heart aches to lend a hand. When his ploy to hide the Russian is uncovered by his father he enlists his family's help for the same.
But does Arie know what danger he is leading his family into? Does he know what he is asking his father and mother to risk? It's the peak of the cold war between the US and Russia and the boy Dimitri is a scapegoat with both agents and scoundrels, alike after him.
The book takes you on a precarious journey with danger at every dock and quay as the boat is searched multiple times. How does the family hoodwink the authorities? Does this bring them closer or will it tear them apart?
While the precarious escapades are engrossing it's also engaging to watch Hendrik Kornet's moral dilemma wrestle with his natural courageous and heroic instincts or Arie's struggle with his need to protect his new friend vs the dangers to his family.
The author is fantastic. Whether it's her sensitive portrayal of the semi deaf mother, the depiction of the authoritative, disciplinarian father whose heart melts when it comes to pleas from his children, the bold and spunky Anneke or the adorable quick thinking Jannie. And Arie himself is magnificent.
Then there is Valerie Poore's rendering of life on a commercial barge ~ she brilliantly combines the pathos, frugality and monotony of such a life with stoic acceptance and a sense of duty but never making it dull even a moment for the reader.
Valerie Poore left me spellbound with her tale, the fact that she herself has lived on a barge brings this story to life in such a way that as a reader you relate deeply to the characters, miss heartbeats at different points in the story, find yourself smiling in sympathy or frowning in apprehension.
I highly recommend The Skipper's Child. It's for everyone. An adventure that must not be missed.
The story begins with Arie, the 12 year old son of a commercial barge skipper whose holidays are spent on European inland waterways as his father transports wares to different places like Rotterdam or Antwerp, in this case France.
Arie wishes his father was a normal office or factory worker and he thinks it is funny that normal people watch the world go past, but boat people go past the world. Arie's boredom is obliterated when he encounters a young Russian boy unknowingly ensnared in an international conspiracy, a stowaway on their barge. Once Arie learns what the boy has been through his heart aches to lend a hand. When his ploy to hide the Russian is uncovered by his father he enlists his family's help for the same.
But does Arie know what danger he is leading his family into? Does he know what he is asking his father and mother to risk? It's the peak of the cold war between the US and Russia and the boy Dimitri is a scapegoat with both agents and scoundrels, alike after him.
The book takes you on a precarious journey with danger at every dock and quay as the boat is searched multiple times. How does the family hoodwink the authorities? Does this bring them closer or will it tear them apart?
While the precarious escapades are engrossing it's also engaging to watch Hendrik Kornet's moral dilemma wrestle with his natural courageous and heroic instincts or Arie's struggle with his need to protect his new friend vs the dangers to his family.
The author is fantastic. Whether it's her sensitive portrayal of the semi deaf mother, the depiction of the authoritative, disciplinarian father whose heart melts when it comes to pleas from his children, the bold and spunky Anneke or the adorable quick thinking Jannie. And Arie himself is magnificent.
Then there is Valerie Poore's rendering of life on a commercial barge ~ she brilliantly combines the pathos, frugality and monotony of such a life with stoic acceptance and a sense of duty but never making it dull even a moment for the reader.
Valerie Poore left me spellbound with her tale, the fact that she herself has lived on a barge brings this story to life in such a way that as a reader you relate deeply to the characters, miss heartbeats at different points in the story, find yourself smiling in sympathy or frowning in apprehension.
I highly recommend The Skipper's Child. It's for everyone. An adventure that must not be missed.
January 7, 2023
I have been a staunch fan of Val Poore’s writing ever since I first discovered her books. Having read several of her fascinating memoirs, I decided to explore one of her works of fiction, The Skipper’s Child. And what a gem it turned out to be! I became so absorbed in it that I burned the midnight oil well into the night, not content until I reached the final page.
As the author has first-hand experience of the waterways, the story of life aboard a Dutch commercial barge is all the more authentic and takes the reader on an unforgettable journey with the delightful Kornet family. Skipper, Hendrik, his wife, Marijke, son, Arie, and siblings, Jannie and Anneke, are all heart-warming characters that immediately draw you into their way of life, despite the hardship it involves. It’s difficult to imagine how well they all coped with the severe cold and lack of amenities that we so readily take for granted.
Set in 1962 at the start of the cold war, the family face one of the bleakest winters they have known, as they leave the Netherlands for France with a cargo of wool. Twelve-year-old Arie dreams of a different kind of life than that of a bargee, the excitement he craves coming in an unexpected way when he discovers a Russian stowaway on board who is wanted by the authorities. From hereon, the story evolves into a thrilling rollercoaster as the hunt for the Russian boy endangers the lives of everyone on board.
There are many aspects to this story that give vitality to the well-executed plot – the family dynamics, Arie’s coming-of-age character development, the deep friendships forged and the empathy shown towards the Russian, Dimitri, not least the moral dilemma Hendrik finds himself in.
In short, I loved The Skipper’s Child. As with all of Val Poore’s books, it is ultimately up-lifting and superbly written with the charm and sensitivity that is characteristic of her work. I was immediately inspired to follow this up with another of her books, Living With My Sin, a personal, heart-rending story that’s a must for all animal lovers. (See my review).
Thank you Ms Poore for entertaining me with more of your riveting stories, which I highly recommend.
As the author has first-hand experience of the waterways, the story of life aboard a Dutch commercial barge is all the more authentic and takes the reader on an unforgettable journey with the delightful Kornet family. Skipper, Hendrik, his wife, Marijke, son, Arie, and siblings, Jannie and Anneke, are all heart-warming characters that immediately draw you into their way of life, despite the hardship it involves. It’s difficult to imagine how well they all coped with the severe cold and lack of amenities that we so readily take for granted.
Set in 1962 at the start of the cold war, the family face one of the bleakest winters they have known, as they leave the Netherlands for France with a cargo of wool. Twelve-year-old Arie dreams of a different kind of life than that of a bargee, the excitement he craves coming in an unexpected way when he discovers a Russian stowaway on board who is wanted by the authorities. From hereon, the story evolves into a thrilling rollercoaster as the hunt for the Russian boy endangers the lives of everyone on board.
There are many aspects to this story that give vitality to the well-executed plot – the family dynamics, Arie’s coming-of-age character development, the deep friendships forged and the empathy shown towards the Russian, Dimitri, not least the moral dilemma Hendrik finds himself in.
In short, I loved The Skipper’s Child. As with all of Val Poore’s books, it is ultimately up-lifting and superbly written with the charm and sensitivity that is characteristic of her work. I was immediately inspired to follow this up with another of her books, Living With My Sin, a personal, heart-rending story that’s a must for all animal lovers. (See my review).
Thank you Ms Poore for entertaining me with more of your riveting stories, which I highly recommend.
December 30, 2024
The Skipper’s Child is the thrilling story of a young Russian fugitive hiding on the waterways of the Netherlands and Belgium and his unexpected discovery by an innocent young boy, Arie. Arie lives on a barge with his hardworking family but longs for adventure and an escape from the mundanity of his daily life. The story he finds himself involved in certainly gives him a taste of excitement for a while!
Set in December 1962 with the Cold War as a backdrop, this time period is brought to life as the family gather around their radio at mealtimes, listening to the latest news.
The book is filled with heart-stopping, unexpected twists and turns as Arie befriends the fugitive and brings a world of menacing characters, subterfuge and danger crashing down on his unsuspecting family.
Life on a working barge is intricately brought to life by the author who expertly paints a realistic picture from her own experiences of living on a Dutch barge on these same waterways. The Skipper’s Child is an engaging, at times heart-stopping story that I highly recommend!
Set in December 1962 with the Cold War as a backdrop, this time period is brought to life as the family gather around their radio at mealtimes, listening to the latest news.
The book is filled with heart-stopping, unexpected twists and turns as Arie befriends the fugitive and brings a world of menacing characters, subterfuge and danger crashing down on his unsuspecting family.
Life on a working barge is intricately brought to life by the author who expertly paints a realistic picture from her own experiences of living on a Dutch barge on these same waterways. The Skipper’s Child is an engaging, at times heart-stopping story that I highly recommend!
March 11, 2025
Barges and a lot more
Living life on a barge is not an easy life, but it is rewarding. Everyone must do their part, and the work was hard. Even more when one travels with a load of wool or whatever they carried during war time. On the plus side, families become closer, and friendships with other skippers and their families are treasured. One gets to see so many countries and architecture, scenes most have never seen or imagined. For Arie, he longed for a life away from the hard work of the barge he lived on with his two sisters and his parents. Along comes Dimitri, and things get dicey. What does Arie decide to do after the trials of one December during time of war? I won't give away the story nor the ending
Living life on a barge is not an easy life, but it is rewarding. Everyone must do their part, and the work was hard. Even more when one travels with a load of wool or whatever they carried during war time. On the plus side, families become closer, and friendships with other skippers and their families are treasured. One gets to see so many countries and architecture, scenes most have never seen or imagined. For Arie, he longed for a life away from the hard work of the barge he lived on with his two sisters and his parents. Along comes Dimitri, and things get dicey. What does Arie decide to do after the trials of one December during time of war? I won't give away the story nor the ending
April 15, 2022
I’m such a fan of Valerie Poore’s books, having read three of her memoirs and a novel before choosing to read The Skipper’s Child.
Immediately, I was engrossed in the tale of the Kornet family in the early 60s. From the first page, Arie, the lone son, is bemoaning what constantly felt like endless, interminable days on the barge. Because his father, Henrik, was Dutch commercial skipper, the life he and his two sisters lived was unlike the lives from other children: they had it better. Why did his father have to be a skipper!
So much was different, especially schooling. And the family took baths in a tin tub used for washing clothes. Being a skipper’s child also meant one tended to marry one another skipper’s child.
Arie’s dreary days on the barge take a dramatic turn (also for the entire family) after Arie discovers a young Russian stowaway onboard, Dmitri, who is wanted by the authorities. The author’s superb writing captures the nuances of family interaction and makes the reader feel invisible alongside the characters.
Just as I’ve learned so much from this author’s memoirs, this novel was no exception. I not only felt that I had an amazing look into a life so different from anything I’ve known, but I thought this was an exceptional coming-of-age story … and I loved seeing the characters evolve, especially Arie, as he began to see his life (and his future) differently. I think this evolution is what tugged at my heartstrings the most.
Valerie Poore has an amazing gift for taking readers to new places. I honestly enjoyed every page of this book, and even though life as a skipper’s child was so different from my own, I found the lessons and truths to be universal. A truly beautifully written, emotional, and special read.
Immediately, I was engrossed in the tale of the Kornet family in the early 60s. From the first page, Arie, the lone son, is bemoaning what constantly felt like endless, interminable days on the barge. Because his father, Henrik, was Dutch commercial skipper, the life he and his two sisters lived was unlike the lives from other children: they had it better. Why did his father have to be a skipper!
So much was different, especially schooling. And the family took baths in a tin tub used for washing clothes. Being a skipper’s child also meant one tended to marry one another skipper’s child.
Arie’s dreary days on the barge take a dramatic turn (also for the entire family) after Arie discovers a young Russian stowaway onboard, Dmitri, who is wanted by the authorities. The author’s superb writing captures the nuances of family interaction and makes the reader feel invisible alongside the characters.
Just as I’ve learned so much from this author’s memoirs, this novel was no exception. I not only felt that I had an amazing look into a life so different from anything I’ve known, but I thought this was an exceptional coming-of-age story … and I loved seeing the characters evolve, especially Arie, as he began to see his life (and his future) differently. I think this evolution is what tugged at my heartstrings the most.
Valerie Poore has an amazing gift for taking readers to new places. I honestly enjoyed every page of this book, and even though life as a skipper’s child was so different from my own, I found the lessons and truths to be universal. A truly beautifully written, emotional, and special read.
September 21, 2021
A thrilling Barge Adventure for all ages
I was very kindly gifted this book by Val.
A wonderful read from a very talented author, based around the life of 12-year-old Arie Kornet who dislikes life onboard a barge. It is Christmas time, the year 1962, along with his parents and his sisters, Arie is spending a rather boring time on his parent's commercial barge 'The Rival'. His father, being a Dutch Commercial Skipper is on a schedule to deliver his cargo of wool from the Netherlands to France during the coldest winter of the cold war. Arie would rather be anywhere but on the barge, on the overnight stops he manages to escape into the various towns, just walking and admiring the old architecture dreaming of his future far away from barges and canals.
Arie, often sleeping in his clothes to stave off the cold, yearns for excitement and adventure, the boredom and tedium of the trip gets him down. All this changes when he discovers a young Russian stowaway in his room. Not sure who is more frightened Dimitri tell his story, Arie cannot help but be moved by it and vows to help him at all costs. It is not long before his father discovers Dimitri and after much debate, he finally convinces his father to help. Plenty of excitement follows with espionage, chases, and trickery of the authorities, especially the bicycle chase, this had me laughing out loud.
This is an exciting and fast-paced story containing factual details of life on board a barge, using her partner's experience as the child of a barge skipper to bring the story alive. I highly recommend this book.
I was very kindly gifted this book by Val.
A wonderful read from a very talented author, based around the life of 12-year-old Arie Kornet who dislikes life onboard a barge. It is Christmas time, the year 1962, along with his parents and his sisters, Arie is spending a rather boring time on his parent's commercial barge 'The Rival'. His father, being a Dutch Commercial Skipper is on a schedule to deliver his cargo of wool from the Netherlands to France during the coldest winter of the cold war. Arie would rather be anywhere but on the barge, on the overnight stops he manages to escape into the various towns, just walking and admiring the old architecture dreaming of his future far away from barges and canals.
Arie, often sleeping in his clothes to stave off the cold, yearns for excitement and adventure, the boredom and tedium of the trip gets him down. All this changes when he discovers a young Russian stowaway in his room. Not sure who is more frightened Dimitri tell his story, Arie cannot help but be moved by it and vows to help him at all costs. It is not long before his father discovers Dimitri and after much debate, he finally convinces his father to help. Plenty of excitement follows with espionage, chases, and trickery of the authorities, especially the bicycle chase, this had me laughing out loud.
This is an exciting and fast-paced story containing factual details of life on board a barge, using her partner's experience as the child of a barge skipper to bring the story alive. I highly recommend this book.
July 30, 2021
Another lovely book from the talented Valerie Poore, The Skipper’s Child is a novel with a strong background in truth: always a good basis for a story. Here the life of a commercial barging family in the post-war years has a ring of authenticity which draws you in.
The adventures themselves which befall this family read like a fabulous Famous Five adventure. The novel is fast-paced, clever and a delight to read. Some parts made me gasp, others, laugh out loud with excitement. I will say bicycle and no more! Even the ending is unexpected.
I’d love to read more of the Kornet family adventures and feel sure Valerie’s pen has more to share with us.
The adventures themselves which befall this family read like a fabulous Famous Five adventure. The novel is fast-paced, clever and a delight to read. Some parts made me gasp, others, laugh out loud with excitement. I will say bicycle and no more! Even the ending is unexpected.
I’d love to read more of the Kornet family adventures and feel sure Valerie’s pen has more to share with us.
July 1, 2023
Based in the early 1960s and the intricate web of the Cold War era, Valerie Poore has crafted a truly original and engrossing tale of Russian spy intrigue amongst the subculture of a family’s hard commercial European barge life. Based on the true life of a young man with his family on board a Dutch commercial barge while transiting their cargo between Holland, Belgium, and France, an unsuspecting young Russian inadvertently traverses their path getting them and himself unknowingly caught up in a complicated plot.
Valerie crafts her characters with precision, deftly developing them with care and choice adjectives placed just when needed. The reader learns more about each person in due time, and is not overloaded with too many details to retain or digest right out the gate. The reader is expertly drawn in and interest is sustained with a well-timed cadence.
A bonus is the historical background that Valerie so aptly depicts of the commercial barge life in Europe in the early 1960s. This was a busy network and manner of transporting goods at the time. Since, it has fallen victim to the modern trucking industry via today’s roadways. Nevertheless, given the world’s current climate and ecological issues, European governments are attempting to resurrect this mode of transport. The author paints a fascinating tableau as the background for her story.
I definitely classify this as historical fiction, and well-worth the exhilarating story as well as the learning experience of a family’s unique and dedicated life of not so long ago.
Valerie crafts her characters with precision, deftly developing them with care and choice adjectives placed just when needed. The reader learns more about each person in due time, and is not overloaded with too many details to retain or digest right out the gate. The reader is expertly drawn in and interest is sustained with a well-timed cadence.
A bonus is the historical background that Valerie so aptly depicts of the commercial barge life in Europe in the early 1960s. This was a busy network and manner of transporting goods at the time. Since, it has fallen victim to the modern trucking industry via today’s roadways. Nevertheless, given the world’s current climate and ecological issues, European governments are attempting to resurrect this mode of transport. The author paints a fascinating tableau as the background for her story.
I definitely classify this as historical fiction, and well-worth the exhilarating story as well as the learning experience of a family’s unique and dedicated life of not so long ago.
January 28, 2019
A delightful young adult book that will also enchant adult readers.
As an adult reader, I was fascinated by insight into family life on a commercial barge working on the European waterways in the 1960s. To be fair I had never really thought about it or realised the skipper's family would live on the barge on him. The small space creates challenges for family life, especially when it involved children and every family member is expected to pitch-in. Through the addition of little details, I also felt some nostalgia for simpler times. Poole writes with such clarity this insight is given without slowing the story's pace.
The story is fast paced and exciting and sure to capture the imagination of younger readers. Arie was expecting a boring Christmas as his father was delivering wool from the Netherlands to France. This all changes when he discovers young Dmitri, a Russian stowaway on board. Through Dmitri, the family is touched by wider world events but also brought together in ways Arie could never imagine. Arie's family work together to protect Dmitri against the authorities who are keen to capture him, sometimes tricking them in very novel ways!
Lovely characters and the story is expertly written with gentle wit and empathy.
Recommend.
As an adult reader, I was fascinated by insight into family life on a commercial barge working on the European waterways in the 1960s. To be fair I had never really thought about it or realised the skipper's family would live on the barge on him. The small space creates challenges for family life, especially when it involved children and every family member is expected to pitch-in. Through the addition of little details, I also felt some nostalgia for simpler times. Poole writes with such clarity this insight is given without slowing the story's pace.
The story is fast paced and exciting and sure to capture the imagination of younger readers. Arie was expecting a boring Christmas as his father was delivering wool from the Netherlands to France. This all changes when he discovers young Dmitri, a Russian stowaway on board. Through Dmitri, the family is touched by wider world events but also brought together in ways Arie could never imagine. Arie's family work together to protect Dmitri against the authorities who are keen to capture him, sometimes tricking them in very novel ways!
Lovely characters and the story is expertly written with gentle wit and empathy.
Recommend.
December 28, 2019
Another superb 5* read from one of my favourite authors.
Val Poore never disappoints!
A wonderful coming-of-age spy thriller set in the coldest winter of the cold war. The hero of this story is Arie, a young boy spending a tedious Christmas holiday on his father’s barge ‘The Rival’ as it winds through the European waterways to deliver a cargo of wool. Arie’s father is a Dutch Commercial Skipper and the barge is home to Arie, his mother and two sisters.
Boredom changes to excitement when Arie discovers a frightened young Russian stowaway, wrongly accused of being a spy and on the run. Arie is determined to help him and the family close ranks in support as they play a thrilling cat and mouse game with some very sinister people.
I was absolutely fascinated by the detailed reality of life on a Dutch barge and I’m in awe of those Skippers and their families to whom this was a way of life.
Brilliantly written, full of suspense with unexpected twists and turns, an absolute winner of a story perfect for me and perfect for my 13 year old Grandson!
October 24, 2017
This is a beautiful story about a boy (Arie) and his family and their life on a barge, set in the time of tension between the U.S. and Russia. It depicts not only the hardship of their live, but also political tension in Europe, with a plot to assassinate a French diplomat. Dimitry, a young Russian boy, is caught up in the espionage. His courage and plight bring strength and unity to Arie and his family as they unite to help Dimity to safety.
The setting of the story is wonderfully described, and the characters are well-rounded and believable. It's a story where you hope for the best for Dimitry's safety in a world full of hate. But it also has a theme of hope and acceptance of the life we are born into. A story adults and children will both enjoy.
The setting of the story is wonderfully described, and the characters are well-rounded and believable. It's a story where you hope for the best for Dimitry's safety in a world full of hate. But it also has a theme of hope and acceptance of the life we are born into. A story adults and children will both enjoy.
April 24, 2022
What a thrilling fast paced story this is. The year is 1962 and young Arie Kornet is spending his Christmas holidays on the family barge. His father is a Dutch Commercial barge skipper and he is travelling to France to deliver a consignment of wool. Life in board seems claustrophobic as the family, Arie, his parents and his two sisters share the limited space on board. Arie dreams of adventure and feels constrained by barge life, travelling the waterways. Val Poore gives us a real insight into this pared down kind of living and the challenges it presents. . The family is soon plunged into danger when Arie discovers Dmitri, a young stowaway on board. What follows is a gripping and tense account of how they all play their part in outwitting those who are determined to capture him. It will make you hold your breath in fear and also make you cheer their bravery. It's so skilfully written with characters you come to care about and admire. I loved it.
March 15, 2017
What a beautifully written tale. LOVED IT! I didn't want to put it down. It gave me great insight into a life I could never live and took me on a journey I will never forget. I love the way the author kept the story moving, just like a barge on a waterway, while introducing us intricately to those aboard. Classic, rich storytelling and a coming of age adventure that is rich. Can't imagine anyone not enjoying this book. Definitely 5-star's from me. It's a great read.
June 2, 2018
Exciting and suspenceful
The story starts out aboard a cargo boat hauling wool from The Netherlands to France during icy weather pre Christmas. We meet a young boy who is bored living on this boat with his family. But, soon his world and that of his family takes a sharp turn into dangerous territories. I enjoyed this book very much. Val Poore is better known for her well written memoirs as a barge owner. Here she has added a new winner to her writing skills.
The story starts out aboard a cargo boat hauling wool from The Netherlands to France during icy weather pre Christmas. We meet a young boy who is bored living on this boat with his family. But, soon his world and that of his family takes a sharp turn into dangerous territories. I enjoyed this book very much. Val Poore is better known for her well written memoirs as a barge owner. Here she has added a new winner to her writing skills.
June 5, 2017
This story was an absolute delight. I normally wouldn't have thought to pick up a book that involved barges, but I was intrigued by the description. The author does an outstanding job of creating an atmosphere to suck you in; the characters are beautifully developed and I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline. This is well worth the purchase for a read full of adventure and intrigue.
September 28, 2017
A well-written tale for a younger readership about a twelve-year-old boy on the canals, where his father is skipper. He's bored, however, that is about to change.
Taking place in 1962, this story has charm and beautifully depicts canal life. It also has drama and adventure of a surprising sort.
A great snapshot and family read.
Worth a look.
Taking place in 1962, this story has charm and beautifully depicts canal life. It also has drama and adventure of a surprising sort.
A great snapshot and family read.
Worth a look.
January 3, 2025
What a wonderful way to begin the year, engrossed in a good book, peeking into an unfamiliar world and looking back historically some sixty years.
Now I want to read all Val Poore’s book from start to finish.
Now I want to read all Val Poore’s book from start to finish.
February 21, 2019
Oh I Do Like This Book
What a wonderful story. Sometimes one just needs to sit down and read a story about quiet courage to be restored and lifted up. This is just such a book.
What a wonderful story. Sometimes one just needs to sit down and read a story about quiet courage to be restored and lifted up. This is just such a book.
March 21, 2017
Valerie Poore's The Skipper's Child gives the reader of all ages a fascinating adventure on a houseboat, complete with intrigue and danger. This is a family story and a great read. As it is well written it in an excellent choice of book for children, while the story has sufficient pace to interest adults. Five-star work.
October 3, 2014
This is an absolute gem, set in the 1960s, when John Kennedy was the president of the USA and the cold war was beginning to get hot. But it isn’t a book about politics or spies, it’s about a young boy and his family who live and work on a barge in Holland, travelling around the canals of Europe. In the leading protagonist’s words: ‘Arie thought it was funny that normal people watch the world go past, but boat people go past the world instead.’
Told from the boy Arie’s perspective, it’s an exciting, heart-warming tale of survival, friendship, happiness, kindness and courage. Most of all it’s about the nature of friendship and the natural human desire to reach out a helping hand to someone in trouble.
Arie enjoys life in the school holidays, sailing with his family around Europe, but he also loves old buildings, seeing new places and is interested in everything around him, making his parents apprehensive about his likely rude awakening in the big wide world, when he leaves school. His father, Hendrik Kornet, is a deeply moral man, whose disciplined approach to life sometimes masks his essential decency and love for his deaf wife (Marijke) and children: the hero of the book Arie and his sisters, Jannie and adventurous Anneke.
Ms Poore has the knack of dragging you right inside the heads of her characters, and all at once you’re thinking as Arie, who is sharing his father’s anguish and anger as they are all questioned by customs officials, who search their cherished boat without warning. Then we feel Arie’s friendship for poor bedraggled Dmitri, the Russian boy who is lost and alone, scared to death of the dangerous forces that are gathered against him.
But Arie has a dichotomy. Should he tell his family about his new friend, aware as he is of Hendrik’s uncompromising adherence to the law, thereby risking Dmitri’s safety? Or should he do all he can to protect and help Dmitri, even though it means hiding the truth from his father? I won’t say more as it’ll spoil the story, but all at once you find yourself rooting for Arie and Dmitri, and trusting our author that all will be well in the end, despite the hardships and suffering and danger along the way.
It poses a few moral dilemmas, as well as some difficult questions: how far do you go to help a stranger when it could land you in trouble? Is it right to risk other people’s safety when you’re acting for the best? How far can courage take you? Most of all it accentuates the basic truth that decency, courage and holding out a helping hand to those in trouble, is always the right thing to do.
You can enjoy this story if you’re 9 or 90, because the characters are who you are interested in, and the characters live and breathe and you yearn to be in their company. And it’s a heart-warming story, that’s sad in parts, has plenty of action and lovable characters. You’ll remember it a long time afterwards, when you think ‘I wonder what happened to Arie’. Let’s hope there’s a sequel to his book – if so I will definitely buy it.
Told from the boy Arie’s perspective, it’s an exciting, heart-warming tale of survival, friendship, happiness, kindness and courage. Most of all it’s about the nature of friendship and the natural human desire to reach out a helping hand to someone in trouble.
Arie enjoys life in the school holidays, sailing with his family around Europe, but he also loves old buildings, seeing new places and is interested in everything around him, making his parents apprehensive about his likely rude awakening in the big wide world, when he leaves school. His father, Hendrik Kornet, is a deeply moral man, whose disciplined approach to life sometimes masks his essential decency and love for his deaf wife (Marijke) and children: the hero of the book Arie and his sisters, Jannie and adventurous Anneke.
Ms Poore has the knack of dragging you right inside the heads of her characters, and all at once you’re thinking as Arie, who is sharing his father’s anguish and anger as they are all questioned by customs officials, who search their cherished boat without warning. Then we feel Arie’s friendship for poor bedraggled Dmitri, the Russian boy who is lost and alone, scared to death of the dangerous forces that are gathered against him.
But Arie has a dichotomy. Should he tell his family about his new friend, aware as he is of Hendrik’s uncompromising adherence to the law, thereby risking Dmitri’s safety? Or should he do all he can to protect and help Dmitri, even though it means hiding the truth from his father? I won’t say more as it’ll spoil the story, but all at once you find yourself rooting for Arie and Dmitri, and trusting our author that all will be well in the end, despite the hardships and suffering and danger along the way.
It poses a few moral dilemmas, as well as some difficult questions: how far do you go to help a stranger when it could land you in trouble? Is it right to risk other people’s safety when you’re acting for the best? How far can courage take you? Most of all it accentuates the basic truth that decency, courage and holding out a helping hand to those in trouble, is always the right thing to do.
You can enjoy this story if you’re 9 or 90, because the characters are who you are interested in, and the characters live and breathe and you yearn to be in their company. And it’s a heart-warming story, that’s sad in parts, has plenty of action and lovable characters. You’ll remember it a long time afterwards, when you think ‘I wonder what happened to Arie’. Let’s hope there’s a sequel to his book – if so I will definitely buy it.
September 5, 2014
This book was recently entered and was a SILVER MEDALIST in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our young readers thought:
FEEDBACK
Author: Valerie Poore
Title: The Skipper’s Child
COVER: 8/10
In general, the children loved the cover. They thought thr way the image of the three children was in colour was a clever way of focusing the eye on the characters. However, a few of the readers thought the image was a little ‘boring’ and thought an image showing the three kids in the middle of a daring escapade and not just sitting on the boat would be more appealing to young readers
All the children (and teachers) liked the catchy blurb. They felt it was short, sweet and pulled them into the story.
CONTENT 10/10
All of the readers hought the setting ‘life on a Dutch canal in the 60s’ was very original. A teacher put in her feedback, ‘I liked this book as it allowed my class to witness a different life style and, of course, learn a bit about boats.’ Many of the children coomented on how interesting the geography/history side of the story was and how well the author balanced this with the ‘thriller’ part of the story. One reader (girl, aged 14) put in her feedback, ‘This is the best book I have read this year. I lovd it. I loved the characters, particularly the boy, and I liked the adventure they had. I also liked the fact It was set in a country I don’t really know. That was interesting. Now I want to go on a boat holiday.’ A teacher put, ‘This book opened up the historical world of the Cold War. Many of the children did not even know what the Cold War was so this book was an eye-opener for them.’
EDITING 10/10
The readers thought the book was well edited and discovered no glaring problems with grammar, punctuation or spelling. They also thought the pacing in the book was well balanced with the setting and character descriptions. One reader (boy, aged 15, put), ‘When I saw the cover I thought this book was going to be really slow and boring but it’s not. It’s exciting and interesting, sort of non-stop! Change the cover!’
STYLE 10/10
The young readers liked the descriptive style. They followed the story in the book with no problems and they felt the plot was complex but not overly so. One reader (teacher) put, ‘The plot is not the best part of this book, the wonderful setting is. However, the author still offers the e reader an exciting, twisting adventure which the three children in my class (year 10) enjoyed.’
STATS
Of the 30 readers:
30 finished the book.
26 felt the setting was the best part of the books.
4 thought the plot was the best part.
9 felt the cover image needed spicing up.
3 would like to read nother book by this author.
A fast-paced adventure with a political edge. A SILVER winner and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Awards
FEEDBACK
Author: Valerie Poore
Title: The Skipper’s Child
COVER: 8/10
In general, the children loved the cover. They thought thr way the image of the three children was in colour was a clever way of focusing the eye on the characters. However, a few of the readers thought the image was a little ‘boring’ and thought an image showing the three kids in the middle of a daring escapade and not just sitting on the boat would be more appealing to young readers
All the children (and teachers) liked the catchy blurb. They felt it was short, sweet and pulled them into the story.
CONTENT 10/10
All of the readers hought the setting ‘life on a Dutch canal in the 60s’ was very original. A teacher put in her feedback, ‘I liked this book as it allowed my class to witness a different life style and, of course, learn a bit about boats.’ Many of the children coomented on how interesting the geography/history side of the story was and how well the author balanced this with the ‘thriller’ part of the story. One reader (girl, aged 14) put in her feedback, ‘This is the best book I have read this year. I lovd it. I loved the characters, particularly the boy, and I liked the adventure they had. I also liked the fact It was set in a country I don’t really know. That was interesting. Now I want to go on a boat holiday.’ A teacher put, ‘This book opened up the historical world of the Cold War. Many of the children did not even know what the Cold War was so this book was an eye-opener for them.’
EDITING 10/10
The readers thought the book was well edited and discovered no glaring problems with grammar, punctuation or spelling. They also thought the pacing in the book was well balanced with the setting and character descriptions. One reader (boy, aged 15, put), ‘When I saw the cover I thought this book was going to be really slow and boring but it’s not. It’s exciting and interesting, sort of non-stop! Change the cover!’
STYLE 10/10
The young readers liked the descriptive style. They followed the story in the book with no problems and they felt the plot was complex but not overly so. One reader (teacher) put, ‘The plot is not the best part of this book, the wonderful setting is. However, the author still offers the e reader an exciting, twisting adventure which the three children in my class (year 10) enjoyed.’
STATS
Of the 30 readers:
30 finished the book.
26 felt the setting was the best part of the books.
4 thought the plot was the best part.
9 felt the cover image needed spicing up.
3 would like to read nother book by this author.
A fast-paced adventure with a political edge. A SILVER winner and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Awards
February 12, 2016
I did not want this book to end! When I reached the end, I felt like, “Aw.” This suspenseful tale, The Skipper’s Child, will touch the heartstrings. The Kornet family finds a stowaway on their houseboat as they travel to sell their wares during the Christmas holidays. The son, Arie, befriends the young man and hides him before sharing the truth about his presence with his father and the rest of the family
The young man, Dmitri, has fallen in with a dangerous group and is being hunted by the authorities. This puts the entire family in jeopardy but they bind together to do what they feel is morally right. They want to get the boy across the French border. They are suspected of harboring the Russian boy and their boat is searched more than once.
Will the Kornet family get caught? Will Dimitri survive? Will Arie’s younger sister get over her crush on Dmitri who saved her life twice? There are so many uncertainties as this dramatic story unfolds. I sat on the edge of my seat as I continually scrolled forward to see how things would turn out.
Val Poore has done it again. She is a great storyteller on so many fronts. If you want high adventure on the waterways, simply pick up The Skipper’s Child!
The young man, Dmitri, has fallen in with a dangerous group and is being hunted by the authorities. This puts the entire family in jeopardy but they bind together to do what they feel is morally right. They want to get the boy across the French border. They are suspected of harboring the Russian boy and their boat is searched more than once.
Will the Kornet family get caught? Will Dimitri survive? Will Arie’s younger sister get over her crush on Dmitri who saved her life twice? There are so many uncertainties as this dramatic story unfolds. I sat on the edge of my seat as I continually scrolled forward to see how things would turn out.
Val Poore has done it again. She is a great storyteller on so many fronts. If you want high adventure on the waterways, simply pick up The Skipper’s Child!
Read
January 20, 20164.5 stars
The Skipper's Child is a story for older children and adults of all ages ~ in other words, anyone from ten to eighty years old! It takes place on the canals of Belgium in the winter of 1962 when twelve year old Arie and his family become involved with a young Russian fugitive, Dmitri.
I've read three of Val Poore's non-fiction books, about her time living in South Africa and her own life on board barge, but I'd never read any fiction by her before. I'm glad I did; this is a delightful book, and I felt completely immersed in the life of the skipper and his family of fifty years ago (and maybe a little wistfully wishing I was there....).
The story is very well plotted, no complaints there at all, but the beauty of the book lies in the picture Val Poore paints of this strange and appealing parallel world, and the thoughts of Arie as he treads the shaky path between child and adulthood. I thoroughly enjoyed it - one to snuggle up in bed with!
The Skipper's Child is a story for older children and adults of all ages ~ in other words, anyone from ten to eighty years old! It takes place on the canals of Belgium in the winter of 1962 when twelve year old Arie and his family become involved with a young Russian fugitive, Dmitri.
I've read three of Val Poore's non-fiction books, about her time living in South Africa and her own life on board barge, but I'd never read any fiction by her before. I'm glad I did; this is a delightful book, and I felt completely immersed in the life of the skipper and his family of fifty years ago (and maybe a little wistfully wishing I was there....).
The story is very well plotted, no complaints there at all, but the beauty of the book lies in the picture Val Poore paints of this strange and appealing parallel world, and the thoughts of Arie as he treads the shaky path between child and adulthood. I thoroughly enjoyed it - one to snuggle up in bed with!
July 27, 2013
The Skipper's Child by Valerie Poore is a book that I read in instalments while it was still a work in progress, and I remember looking forward to each new chapter with great anticipation. She has managed to convey the time and place for this novel so accurately that you can feeling yourself following the main characters and the action down the river as events unfold, and the suspense and drama are maintained right to the end. I think this is a book that will be equally enjoyed by children (ages 10 and up) and adults, and would recommend it for classroom and home libraries. As a teacher, I look forward to reading this aloud to my students and having them await each new chapter the way I did as an initial reader.
October 3, 2015
I loved this story! It reminded me so much of the wonderful Swallows and Amazons books that I read as a child but had the refreshing twist of being set in a new and unfamiliar world of cold-war the Netherlands and Belgium.
Arie, a charming and sometimes wistful boy, is home on his family's barge for the holidays. He thinks it will be just another drab journey but things take a turn for the adventurous when a strange young man stows away in Arie's quarters.
While the journey itself moves at the pace of most inland barges, the story races as we follow Arie, his sisters and his new friend on an action-packed and exciting ride. The story-telling is compelling and the characters are all wonderfully drawn. A must read for anyone who likes a bit of history mixed in with their adventure!
Arie, a charming and sometimes wistful boy, is home on his family's barge for the holidays. He thinks it will be just another drab journey but things take a turn for the adventurous when a strange young man stows away in Arie's quarters.
While the journey itself moves at the pace of most inland barges, the story races as we follow Arie, his sisters and his new friend on an action-packed and exciting ride. The story-telling is compelling and the characters are all wonderfully drawn. A must read for anyone who likes a bit of history mixed in with their adventure!
January 19, 2025
The Skippers Child
This book had me sitting on the edge of my seat throughout the three days it took me read this spine tingling, nerve wracking story. Would Dimitri escape the clutches of the evil thugs or not! Would the family escape harm! I would strongly recommend read this book to find out.
This book had me sitting on the edge of my seat throughout the three days it took me read this spine tingling, nerve wracking story. Would Dimitri escape the clutches of the evil thugs or not! Would the family escape harm! I would strongly recommend read this book to find out.
March 23, 2017
I'm in the process of researching houseboats to buy and when I saw this book I knew I had to read it! This is such a lovely work of historical fiction . Life aboard the barge was described with great authenticity, as were Arie and his family. The arrival of Dmitri added great drama to the story and made this a book that will appeal to readers from childhood upwards. Love the cover design too.
April 12, 2017
Although not a child, I love, The Skipper’s Child, and I know children will love the story too. The characters are so adventuresome, although, the way the author writes it, Arie and his sisters’ way of life is itself an adventure: On a barge, traveling the Dutch canals filled with beautiful snowy landscapes. The adventure intensifies, when they became involved with a young Russian boy, whose life was in danger, and his survival depends on their ability to hide him away from those who seek to harm him.
I like the way the author describes the beautiful backdrop to the story, it shows an in-depth knowledge of that way of life and attention to detail. Great family read!
I like the way the author describes the beautiful backdrop to the story, it shows an in-depth knowledge of that way of life and attention to detail. Great family read!
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