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The Lost Ship
A fearless sixth-grader dives alone in the ocean with a single mission: to photograph an octopus. What confronts him is nothing short of astounding.
This fast-paced and illuminating middle-grade novel takes readers on an undersea exploration and adventure. A book like none other, combining a wealth of oceanic facts and marine lore with a generous dollop of imagination.
Jack is a 12-year-old amateur diver who lives in Bounty Bay, a haven for an abundance of marine life with its proximity to the vibrant reef. When his sixth-grade school assignment has him set on procuring an elusive photograph of an octopus, he unknowingly begins an oceanic quest that is life changing when he befriends a talking octopus. Author Jeff Lucas masterfully weaves an enthralling and enchanting middle-grade story with The Lost Ship, a novel of friendship and determination set against a backdrop of the world's biggest wonder: the ocean.
Jack secretly embarks on the dive, taking his gear and some gadgets invented by his dad including a "scubaphone," a device that allows divers to communicate without a tablet (one was recently lost on an ocean outing). When Jack soon spots an octopus, he is elated...and astonished to find that it can speak! Armstrong, as the affable animal calls himself, is the proud owner of the lost scubaphone, enabling him to chat with a flummoxed Jack. From listening to passing boaters and divers over time, including Jack's dad and his assistant Max, Armstrong has an excellent command of language...and impeccable manners, to boot! A wary Jack is appeased when his eight-armed companion tells him, "Look, Jack, I don't intend to eat you...We're going to be friends."
The duo's friendship is solidly secured when Jack helps his new pal in a two-on-one fight to the death with a green moray eel, an octopus's worst enemy. As Jack explores the wonder and beauty of the thriving and plentiful sea life surrounding him, Armstrong tells him a story from his youth when he saw a wooden ship resting on the ocean floor hidden away in a deep, dark cavern. Jack immediately recognizes that this find could be "one of the greatest maritime discoveries in history," and the pair have a new mission: to find the old wooden sailing ship.
It turns out, Armstrong is a walking—er, swimming—encyclopedia of knowledge about the vast multitude of marine life. Along their journey, Jack learns from Armstrong that a sea lily is not a plant but an animal and has been around for more than 400 million years; a torpedo ray can give a terrible electric shock of two hundred volts; an olive-green sea snake has a venomous bite ten times more powerful than a king cobra's; and barrel sponges can live more than 2,000 years. But the most important fact that Armstrong shares with Jack is that the ocean has a critical symbiosis among its living creatures that helps to maintain nature's fragile balance: all have their purpose.
As Jack and Armstrong close in on the location of the relic lost ship, they are confronted with a deadly earthquake, a treacherous marine trench, unpleasant animal strife, and a collapsing cave. But this is nothing compared to the most dangerous encounter of all: humans. The fate of this historic archaeological discovery is in the hands—and arms—of Jack and his new friend...if they can outwit and outpace the villainous treasure hunters before it's too late.
Author Jeff Lucas did extensive research and consulted with a marine biologist for the facts and accuracy of The Lost Ship. A portion of the book's proceeds will be donated to The Nature Conservancy, whose mission is to conserve the lands and waters throughout the world.
This fast-paced and illuminating middle-grade novel takes readers on an undersea exploration and adventure. A book like none other, combining a wealth of oceanic facts and marine lore with a generous dollop of imagination.
Jack is a 12-year-old amateur diver who lives in Bounty Bay, a haven for an abundance of marine life with its proximity to the vibrant reef. When his sixth-grade school assignment has him set on procuring an elusive photograph of an octopus, he unknowingly begins an oceanic quest that is life changing when he befriends a talking octopus. Author Jeff Lucas masterfully weaves an enthralling and enchanting middle-grade story with The Lost Ship, a novel of friendship and determination set against a backdrop of the world's biggest wonder: the ocean.
Jack secretly embarks on the dive, taking his gear and some gadgets invented by his dad including a "scubaphone," a device that allows divers to communicate without a tablet (one was recently lost on an ocean outing). When Jack soon spots an octopus, he is elated...and astonished to find that it can speak! Armstrong, as the affable animal calls himself, is the proud owner of the lost scubaphone, enabling him to chat with a flummoxed Jack. From listening to passing boaters and divers over time, including Jack's dad and his assistant Max, Armstrong has an excellent command of language...and impeccable manners, to boot! A wary Jack is appeased when his eight-armed companion tells him, "Look, Jack, I don't intend to eat you...We're going to be friends."
The duo's friendship is solidly secured when Jack helps his new pal in a two-on-one fight to the death with a green moray eel, an octopus's worst enemy. As Jack explores the wonder and beauty of the thriving and plentiful sea life surrounding him, Armstrong tells him a story from his youth when he saw a wooden ship resting on the ocean floor hidden away in a deep, dark cavern. Jack immediately recognizes that this find could be "one of the greatest maritime discoveries in history," and the pair have a new mission: to find the old wooden sailing ship.
It turns out, Armstrong is a walking—er, swimming—encyclopedia of knowledge about the vast multitude of marine life. Along their journey, Jack learns from Armstrong that a sea lily is not a plant but an animal and has been around for more than 400 million years; a torpedo ray can give a terrible electric shock of two hundred volts; an olive-green sea snake has a venomous bite ten times more powerful than a king cobra's; and barrel sponges can live more than 2,000 years. But the most important fact that Armstrong shares with Jack is that the ocean has a critical symbiosis among its living creatures that helps to maintain nature's fragile balance: all have their purpose.
As Jack and Armstrong close in on the location of the relic lost ship, they are confronted with a deadly earthquake, a treacherous marine trench, unpleasant animal strife, and a collapsing cave. But this is nothing compared to the most dangerous encounter of all: humans. The fate of this historic archaeological discovery is in the hands—and arms—of Jack and his new friend...if they can outwit and outpace the villainous treasure hunters before it's too late.
Author Jeff Lucas did extensive research and consulted with a marine biologist for the facts and accuracy of The Lost Ship. A portion of the book's proceeds will be donated to The Nature Conservancy, whose mission is to conserve the lands and waters throughout the world.
259 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2022
45 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Lucas
1 bookJeff Lucas graduated from Stanford and did grad work at Columbia. He coached a high school volleyball team to a state championship, the first in the history of the school in any sport. He also taught poetry at a community college and at the University of Washington.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 27, 2024
Great for young children and adults, and anyone else who can read
This is a wonderful adventure full of knowledge given in a fun way that most children can understand. What a way to learn about marine life, the planet formation, history, and a little bit of probabilities with a wonderful battle at different times. A great book for parents to read to their children, or anyone else to share with others.
This is a wonderful adventure full of knowledge given in a fun way that most children can understand. What a way to learn about marine life, the planet formation, history, and a little bit of probabilities with a wonderful battle at different times. A great book for parents to read to their children, or anyone else to share with others.
April 16, 2022
Entertaining and Educational
As Jack met a talking octopus, and the pair goes over the sea. A number of sea creatures met and had fun. A undersea earthquake exposed to a shipwreck. The characters are wonderful, both human and creatures. The ending is great.
As Jack met a talking octopus, and the pair goes over the sea. A number of sea creatures met and had fun. A undersea earthquake exposed to a shipwreck. The characters are wonderful, both human and creatures. The ending is great.
November 17, 2022
👏👏
The complexity yet innocence found within a children's book will always amaze me. This read was quick and easy, but utterly powerful at the same time. I love reading to my children, especially when it's something meaningful and worthwhile.
The complexity yet innocence found within a children's book will always amaze me. This read was quick and easy, but utterly powerful at the same time. I love reading to my children, especially when it's something meaningful and worthwhile.
October 16, 2024
Good..........but
What started out as a good read ended in disappointment. I had to stop reading the book. Why? I began feeling like the idea of evolution was taking over. It ruined it for me.
What started out as a good read ended in disappointment. I had to stop reading the book. Why? I began feeling like the idea of evolution was taking over. It ruined it for me.
April 30, 2022
The more you read, the more you know
I love this book. It is so good and the ocean creatures are interesting. My favorite is the Mola Mola Sunfish. A good read for all ages.
I love this book. It is so good and the ocean creatures are interesting. My favorite is the Mola Mola Sunfish. A good read for all ages.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews