This pirate tale provides adventure even as it depicts survival

  Privateer’s Apprentice  by Susan Verrico (Peachtree Publishers) $15.95

(Reviewed by guest reviewer Donna Pierquet, Mount Mary College)

A swashbuckling coming of age story, Susan Verrico’s Privateer’s Apprentice will get adolescent readers engaged and interested in a young boy’s nautical adventures even as it depicts the loss of his family and his courage to survive. We meet Jameson Cooper in 1712 after a plague has hit his small town and he is left without parents, his family business, or a place to call home. Accused of a crime he didn’t commit his fate hangs in the balance as readers find Jameson tied to the stockade awaiting his sentence. A baker buys his freedom and Jameson believes he will live out his punishment slaving away for the man whom he was first accused of stealing from. While running an errand for his owner, Jameson is knocked out and kidnapped.  He awakes confused and afraid realizing he can never return to Charles Towne or his home.

Readers quickly empathize with the young boy and the situation he finds himself in at the age of thirteen.  Jameson always hoped to follow in the livelihood of his father, a printer. Instead he finds himself aboard a privateer ship in Queen Anne’s fleet, The Destiny, captained by a man known as Attack Jack.  Jameson is first treated as a prisoner, living with the livestock in the belly of the ship.  Yet, despite his glib remarks Jameson weaves his way into the hearts of the Captain and his most trusted first mate, the crusty Solitaire Pete.

Once the Captain realizes Jameson’s talents for printing he begins to slowly let him in on the secrets of their voyages.  England’s hope to expand its’ territories and control lead The Destiny to new shores, where even more of the excitement begins.  Secret maps and creating a clever ruse to sail into enemy waters are just a few of the lessons Jameson learns while under the protective watch of the Captain.  However on-board mutiny and hatred for the rookie kid cause Jameson to look over his shoulder to avoid danger at all times.

Amidst cannon fire, the Captain being held prisoner by his own country, and starvation during long voyages at sea, Jameson slowly turns from being an apprentice to a treasured member of the crew. Readers get to see a naïve boy use his unique printing and map sketching skills to save The Destiny from peril.   Verrico sets a captivating tale for young readers to escape and enjoy.  All of this done, of course, for Queen and Country.