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The Accidental Stowaway
'A rollicking, salty, breath of fresh air.' Hilary McKay'Absolutely adored it!' Emma CarrollBy the celebrated author of The Pear Affair and The Secret Starling - Patch finds adventure on every deck of the 'floating palace' she accidentally stows away on.Liverpool, 1910When Patch runs up the gangway of steamship, RMS Glorious , she isn't planning to hang around. But if she leaves her hiding place the constable might catch sitting tight is worth the risk. Too late, she realises the ship is setting sail! Patch has become an accidental stowaway.Luckily, Patch's unconventional past has made her pretty fearless when it comes to fending for herself, and besides there are friends in high and low places to be made onboard.But hiding away becomes less and less her new friends urgently need her help and there's a mystery that needs solving, all before they reach New York . . .With gorgeous chapter head illustrations by Kim Geyer.'Sucked me in like a whirlpool.' Clare Povey'A page-turning adventure.' Nicola Penfold'An engaging historical adventure.' The Bookseller'Full of adventure and fun.' The Book Bag'Exciting, funny and full of warmth.' LoveReading4Kids'Exquisite storytelling.' Jo Clarke, BookLoverJo'A gem of a book.' Kevin Cobane, VIP Reading
288 pages, Paperback
Published August 4, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
February 4, 2023
This is now the 3rd book I’ve read by Judith Eagle, & I’ve loved them all. But this just might be my favorite! I LOVED this so much. It’s set in Liverpool, 1910. When Patch runs up the gangway of steamship, RMS Glorious, she isn't planning to hang around. But if she leaves her hiding place the constable might catch her: sitting tight is worth the risk. Too late, she realises the ship is setting sail! Patch has become an accidental stowaway. Luckily, Patch's unconventional past has made her pretty fearless when it comes to fending for herself, & besides there are friends in high & low places to be made onboard. But hiding away becomes less & less easy: her new friends urgently need her help & there's a mystery that needs solving, all before they reach New York. This author has a way of weaving such a cozy, heartwarming, gripping historical fiction story, while at the same time mixing those vibes with race against time adventure! Lol I loved being on a huge ship like this heading for NY-2 years before the Titanic also set out for NY. The mystery aboard ship is gripping, & our MC Patch has such a mysterious backstory of her own as well. I loved the events that led her to being on the ship, & the friends she makes, & then everything that transpired. So many twists! Never saw them coming either! The way so many things connected, & then the way everything wrapped up?? Then that ending?? SOOOOO GOOOOOD! HIGHLY recommend! STUNNING cover by Kim Geyer too!💜
September 5, 2025
3.5 stars
Patch is a little girl who is roller-skating around town with Arturo, when he steals candy from a shop. While they are running from the cops, Patch follows Arturo onto a steamship right before it sets sail, and she accidentally becomes a stowaway. She makes friends who help to hide her aboard the steamship so that she won't be caught by the steward and forced to work for her passage across the Atlantic. Patch quickly realizes that some of the other passengers are not exactly who they seem to be either. She and her friends must unravel the mystery of RMS Glorious before they reach New York in five days, or some dangerous criminals could get away.
The writing is charming and light-hearted. I read this entire book in two days because it was such a quick and easy read. The chapters just fly by as the story captures your attention and your heart! I loved all the cute characters and the way they band together to share the secret of the stowaway.
This story is full of mystery and fun! I really liked the setting on board the steamship. It has that Titanic kind of feeling in history with the decadent first class passengers living in opulence and the poor working class in steerage.
I really liked Patch's character. She is grumpy but warm-hearted. Her parents abandoned her to a string of different relatives who have taken her in over the years. She has been kicking against the strict rules of her relatives all her life, but what she is really searching for is a sense of belonging. Strangely enough, she finds her family among the ragtag group on board the ship.
However, I was once again disappointed in the shoplifting that takes place in this story, the same as another Judith Eagle book that I've read. Arturo steals apples from a vendor, then also steals candy from a shop. He shows no remorse, but Patch is forced to apologize later in the book and she has to pay for the candy that was taken. At least it was dealt with in some manner. But another little girl, Lilian, also steals a key from a stewardess, and they are always sneaking around the ship stealing food. Why not just work to pay for your passage? Why sneak around all that time and lie to everyone? They could have been honest and done an honest day's work to pay their way. I was disappointed in the poor morals of our heroes and heroines.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review.
To see the mildly sensitive content in this book, you can check it out on the Screen It First website! https://screenitfirst.com/book/the-ac...
Patch is a little girl who is roller-skating around town with Arturo, when he steals candy from a shop. While they are running from the cops, Patch follows Arturo onto a steamship right before it sets sail, and she accidentally becomes a stowaway. She makes friends who help to hide her aboard the steamship so that she won't be caught by the steward and forced to work for her passage across the Atlantic. Patch quickly realizes that some of the other passengers are not exactly who they seem to be either. She and her friends must unravel the mystery of RMS Glorious before they reach New York in five days, or some dangerous criminals could get away.
The writing is charming and light-hearted. I read this entire book in two days because it was such a quick and easy read. The chapters just fly by as the story captures your attention and your heart! I loved all the cute characters and the way they band together to share the secret of the stowaway.
This story is full of mystery and fun! I really liked the setting on board the steamship. It has that Titanic kind of feeling in history with the decadent first class passengers living in opulence and the poor working class in steerage.
I really liked Patch's character. She is grumpy but warm-hearted. Her parents abandoned her to a string of different relatives who have taken her in over the years. She has been kicking against the strict rules of her relatives all her life, but what she is really searching for is a sense of belonging. Strangely enough, she finds her family among the ragtag group on board the ship.
However, I was once again disappointed in the shoplifting that takes place in this story, the same as another Judith Eagle book that I've read. Arturo steals apples from a vendor, then also steals candy from a shop. He shows no remorse, but Patch is forced to apologize later in the book and she has to pay for the candy that was taken. At least it was dealt with in some manner. But another little girl, Lilian, also steals a key from a stewardess, and they are always sneaking around the ship stealing food. Why not just work to pay for your passage? Why sneak around all that time and lie to everyone? They could have been honest and done an honest day's work to pay their way. I was disappointed in the poor morals of our heroes and heroines.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review.
To see the mildly sensitive content in this book, you can check it out on the Screen It First website! https://screenitfirst.com/book/the-ac...
January 19, 2025
I think Judith Eagle has created a lovely book suitable for 9-12 year olds. I enjoyed this book a lot more than I expected. It is a great story set in a great location with a fab storyline. My only issue though is I think some characters like Esty could have done with a bit more focus and detail on them. Other than that little moan, what a great book.
October 23, 2025
Patch, a nickname shortened from Crosspatch, has been passed around among family her entire life, all 12 years of it, just like a parcel. Each move happens from mysterious orders. Now she will be living in Liverpool at a girl's school with a teacher she never met. Through a series of circumstances, she ends up as a stowaway on a Cunard ship bound for New York. Her situation aboard ship alters rapidly. There is a mystery about herself she needs to solve as well as saving a girl from kidnappers. Patch's adventures keep readers going to an unusual conclusion.
September 22, 2022
Patch is a small girl who has had to be extraordinarily enterprising in her short life. She cannot remember her parents and has been passed from foster home to foster home like a parcel. Despite this she is not downtrodden and rarely sad. She has a remarkable capacity for optimism and adventure and it is this which sees her accidentally roller skating her way on board an ocean liner on its way to New York and becoming a stowaway. Thankfully Patch has a remarkable ability to make friends and is able to find a community of people on board to help her, and she will need it, as she not only tumbles onto a ship but into an adventure, which she will have to solve before the boat docks in New York.
This is a fun, fast paced adventure with fantastic characters and an old fashioned feel that gives it great appeal. Perfect for 8-12 year olds.
This is a fun, fast paced adventure with fantastic characters and an old fashioned feel that gives it great appeal. Perfect for 8-12 year olds.
July 30, 2025
I usually enjoy Titanic-era historical fiction with a ship setting. This was a cute middle grade adventure. I liked the found family aspect with all the friends that Patch met on the ship. But the plot got a bit too crazy and unbelievable, with practically all of the characters holding secrets. Not a bad book by any means, but it’s not among my middle grade favorites.
September 22, 2025
I loved the story and the illustrations were adorable!
September 3, 2022
2.5 stars. Interesting story, but but there were some things that I didn't like. Mainly - (I cannot even believe I'm writing this) SPOILER ALERT the main character's mother is a professional stowaway, and one character in the book actually calls it unironically "a career". I don't understand. So the mother rejected the responsibility of bringing up a child and instead ran away to be a professional stowaway on boats. And they even call her "brave" at some point. Isn't this - what is the buzz word of today - "problematic"? ("What does your mummy do for living?" "Oh, she is a professional cheater and liar. Isn't that exciting?")
As Anne of Green Gables at the end of 1987 movie said: "It's not what the world holds for you, it's what you bring into it."
As Anne of Green Gables at the end of 1987 movie said: "It's not what the world holds for you, it's what you bring into it."
June 12, 2025
An excellent read, that explores friendships and identity, whilst avoiding the high-stakes of being found as a stowaway, and accidentally discovering a crime family on board and helping apprehend them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2023
Excellent story. Great escapism. Patch is so believable.
Whilst this is meant to be a children's book, as a 60 year old I highly recommend it.
Whilst this is meant to be a children's book, as a 60 year old I highly recommend it.
September 19, 2024
This book is amazing and adventurous you should defiantly read it
November 14, 2024
One of the best books I’ve read. The story was catchy and the characters compelling.
April 14, 2025
A good book. Some great moments. Lots of adventure. Some great twists.
March 30, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Esme Leonard, called Patch, is a girl in 1910 whose mother has run away and whose father has died. She's been sent from relative to relative, but always gets passed on. Her latest placement, according to Mr. Ringe, the lawyer, is with Miss Alice Grey, a family friend who teaches at a girls' school in Liverpool. Patch gets herself there with little help; she has become very resourceful over the years. She gets settled into Miss Grey's home by Mrs. Blakeney, but when out on an errand, has a run in with Turo, who works on the Cunard ship The Glorious, and asks for her help in locating a candy store. Once there, he steals candy and puts the blame on her! She manages to go after him, and even board the ship... which sets sail before she can find him! Armed with only one skate, she is lucky enough to be helped by Lilian de Haviland, whose parents have sent her off to New York by herself, watched over by Esty, a stewardess. The girls decide that Patch should hide in plain sight, and go to eat in the dining saloon, where they are seated at a table of "outsiders" including the older June Fortune, Jimmy, who plays piano on the ship, and the shifty Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds. Patch eventually locates Turo, who feels bad, and makes some friends among the staff. She also rescues a famous stowaway, Babbette. Patch has a ring that she picked up at Miss Grey's that she feels was meant for her, and it turns out to be a Tiffany ring. She decides that she should try to solve the mystery of the jewelry when she lands in New York, but there are a lot of other mysteries that surface on the trip. Why is Lilian unsure of who will meet her when the ship docks? Why do the Reynolds want to kidnap Lillian? Even after Patch is found out and put to work in the kitchen to pay for her passage, she and Lilian must work to solve some of the mysteries.
Strengths: Students still have a fascination with the fate of the Titanic, and the fictional Glorious offers an interesting look at a happier voyage. This starts with a labeled map of the ship, which is quite interesting. Patch and Lilian's friendship makes perfect sense, and the two help each other out while they have fun exploring the ship. There are LOTS of mysteries to be solved, but I don't want to say too much about them and spoil the suspense! It's very clear that Eagle has done her homework reading vintage literature from the early 1900s.
Weaknesses: There are a lot of people who are hiding secrets, and I would have found the story more believable if there had been more characters who WEREN'T hiding something.
What I really think: This was a very fun and fast paced mystery, and fans of historical fiction like Salerni's The Tontine Caper, Nesbet's 2020 Darling Darleen, Queen of the Screen or Rose's Jasper and the Riddle of Riley's Mine (2017) will enjoy Patch's adventures. I personally love Eagle's quirky, British mysteries, but they're a hard sell to my students, even with Rioux's delightful illustrations.
Esme Leonard, called Patch, is a girl in 1910 whose mother has run away and whose father has died. She's been sent from relative to relative, but always gets passed on. Her latest placement, according to Mr. Ringe, the lawyer, is with Miss Alice Grey, a family friend who teaches at a girls' school in Liverpool. Patch gets herself there with little help; she has become very resourceful over the years. She gets settled into Miss Grey's home by Mrs. Blakeney, but when out on an errand, has a run in with Turo, who works on the Cunard ship The Glorious, and asks for her help in locating a candy store. Once there, he steals candy and puts the blame on her! She manages to go after him, and even board the ship... which sets sail before she can find him! Armed with only one skate, she is lucky enough to be helped by Lilian de Haviland, whose parents have sent her off to New York by herself, watched over by Esty, a stewardess. The girls decide that Patch should hide in plain sight, and go to eat in the dining saloon, where they are seated at a table of "outsiders" including the older June Fortune, Jimmy, who plays piano on the ship, and the shifty Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds. Patch eventually locates Turo, who feels bad, and makes some friends among the staff. She also rescues a famous stowaway, Babbette. Patch has a ring that she picked up at Miss Grey's that she feels was meant for her, and it turns out to be a Tiffany ring. She decides that she should try to solve the mystery of the jewelry when she lands in New York, but there are a lot of other mysteries that surface on the trip. Why is Lilian unsure of who will meet her when the ship docks? Why do the Reynolds want to kidnap Lillian? Even after Patch is found out and put to work in the kitchen to pay for her passage, she and Lilian must work to solve some of the mysteries.
Strengths: Students still have a fascination with the fate of the Titanic, and the fictional Glorious offers an interesting look at a happier voyage. This starts with a labeled map of the ship, which is quite interesting. Patch and Lilian's friendship makes perfect sense, and the two help each other out while they have fun exploring the ship. There are LOTS of mysteries to be solved, but I don't want to say too much about them and spoil the suspense! It's very clear that Eagle has done her homework reading vintage literature from the early 1900s.
Weaknesses: There are a lot of people who are hiding secrets, and I would have found the story more believable if there had been more characters who WEREN'T hiding something.
What I really think: This was a very fun and fast paced mystery, and fans of historical fiction like Salerni's The Tontine Caper, Nesbet's 2020 Darling Darleen, Queen of the Screen or Rose's Jasper and the Riddle of Riley's Mine (2017) will enjoy Patch's adventures. I personally love Eagle's quirky, British mysteries, but they're a hard sell to my students, even with Rioux's delightful illustrations.
April 13, 2023
I read this with my eight year-old daughter at bedtime. We both absolutely loved it. It’s gripping and immersive. The lead character, Patch, is a strong role model; so much so that we ask ourselves frequently now, “what would Patch do in this situation?”
The time I’ve spent reading this with my daughter has been well spent, time I will look back on fondly.
The book is aimed at children older than my daughter, for self-reading, but she had no problem understanding the storyline and it stretched her vocabulary as I read it to her.
As a grown-up, I loved the story and my daughter and I couldn’t wait to read the next chapter. Thank you, Judith Eagle, from a 50 year old dad and an 8 ½ year old girl.
The time I’ve spent reading this with my daughter has been well spent, time I will look back on fondly.
The book is aimed at children older than my daughter, for self-reading, but she had no problem understanding the storyline and it stretched her vocabulary as I read it to her.
As a grown-up, I loved the story and my daughter and I couldn’t wait to read the next chapter. Thank you, Judith Eagle, from a 50 year old dad and an 8 ½ year old girl.
October 22, 2025
Patch has never really had a permanent home; she is passed from relative to relative and is now supposed to end up at a girls' school in Liverpool. Instead, she accidentally stows away on a Cunard ocean liner. She is a bit of a brat but can mostly be forgiven for that. Of course, she has lots of adventures and gets to explore the whole ship. (There's a pretty thorough diagram in the front for those middle schoolers who like maps and graphics.)
Some of the plot is pretty unbelievable, but the adventure and mystery should appeal to younger middle school readers.
Some of the plot is pretty unbelievable, but the adventure and mystery should appeal to younger middle school readers.
December 6, 2022
4.5 stars
I loved this book! It was exactly what I needed.
The writing is beautiful and simple, reminiscent of old children’s stories which I adore.
The plot was fun, fast paced (especially the last quarter!) and so wholesome. Truly a lovely read!
The only thing I could fault it for is being a bit predictable, although I am glad everything turned out the way it did so I can’t really complain. But perhaps a surprise would have been nice!
Overall, a delight to curl up with.
I loved this book! It was exactly what I needed.
The writing is beautiful and simple, reminiscent of old children’s stories which I adore.
The plot was fun, fast paced (especially the last quarter!) and so wholesome. Truly a lovely read!
The only thing I could fault it for is being a bit predictable, although I am glad everything turned out the way it did so I can’t really complain. But perhaps a surprise would have been nice!
Overall, a delight to curl up with.
March 6, 2023
I liked the story. I initially bought it because the author was signing books on Waterstones and I had to buy it. It was definitely a hidden treasure. It was fun and kept me interested. The writing wasn't my favorite though. I feel the author sometimes fell into cliches and the plot twists were pretty predictable but, overall, I still had a pretty good time reading the book. It's definitely a children's book but you don't have to be a kid to enjoy it.
January 10, 2026
As I write this review, i am not technically done with this audiobook, but I can review because I don't think my feelings will change at this point. The story is fine, but also boring. I don't know how to explain why I did not enjoy this as much as others, but this story did not do it for me. I'm very disappointed, but also knew somehow that this one would not be enjoyed long ago. I kept skipping it for this reason and now I know I was right...
December 22, 2022
2.5
This is a perfectly fine, well written middle grade adventure, that just didn't work for me. Some middle grade books do, some don't, but my low score is by no means an indication of poor story telling abilities by the author. The real mystery started too late for my liking (and wasn't particularly mysterious anyway) and in the end things clicked just too nicely. But again, that's just me.
This is a perfectly fine, well written middle grade adventure, that just didn't work for me. Some middle grade books do, some don't, but my low score is by no means an indication of poor story telling abilities by the author. The real mystery started too late for my liking (and wasn't particularly mysterious anyway) and in the end things clicked just too nicely. But again, that's just me.
December 31, 2024
I was really enjoying this book until the last chapter (spoilers below)
Pros:
Patch’s backstory is fun and detailed
The mystery took some surprising twists
Cons:
At no point does the author point out that ginger biscuits are bad for dogs
Babette gets on a different boat for no reason
Patch summoning the entire engine crew to the bridge
Pros:
Patch’s backstory is fun and detailed
The mystery took some surprising twists
Cons:
At no point does the author point out that ginger biscuits are bad for dogs
Babette gets on a different boat for no reason
Patch summoning the entire engine crew to the bridge
May 1, 2023
A high seas adventure that will have you enthralled and guessing right the way through. I honestly didn’t guess the twist thrown in at the end. I will definitely be reading more of Judith Eagle’s books in future.
March 11, 2025
Excellent middle grade historical adventure. My full review is here: http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....
July 20, 2025
A quick read but good for entertaining yourself on a rainy day. It had a fairly good storyline somewhat predictable but at the end there was a wonderful little twist that made the whole story click! Overall I enjoyed this book but think its a one time read.
November 5, 2025
Set in 1910, twelve year old Esme Leonard has been passed around, until she arrives in Liverpool.
When she meets Arturo, she chases him onto the RMS Glorious, a steamship that is sailing to New York.
A fun shipboard adventure with black and white illustrations by Jo Rioux.
When she meets Arturo, she chases him onto the RMS Glorious, a steamship that is sailing to New York.
A fun shipboard adventure with black and white illustrations by Jo Rioux.
January 15, 2026
A mystery at sea where not all is as it seems? Yes please! This was an easy read with humor, action, and kid-focused problem-solving (reminiscent of "The Boxcar Children"). A bit predictable, but still an enjoyable story that had a couple of surprises.
July 20, 2022
Read & reviewed for The Bookbag.
http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/T...
http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/T...
November 4, 2022
As a teacher I find this book to be Judith Eagle’s best yet. The vocabulary is superb and it is thrilling. The mystery is certainly mysterious and I couldn’t work it out.
There were a few things that I didn’t like but they would be spoilers!
There were a few things that I didn’t like but they would be spoilers!
November 8, 2022
Just silly!
December 26, 2022
A cute YA story about a plucky 12 Yr old girl who accidentally boards a ship setting sail to NYC but not everything is as it seems...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews