After the sailing camp owner's suicide, eight teens find they have a boat to themselves. The 68 days of summer remaining are full of memorable events: encounters with wildlife and people, yacht races, pirate raids, a near fatal hunt for treasure, onboard parties, romance, and a call to heroism. Underlying the tale of adventures, however, is a subtle yet powerful story of awakening, of teens on the cusp of adulthood. They get to know that gap between who they are and who they want to be by experiencing tests of physical, emotional, and mental limits. A stirring debut, this novel examines issues of late adolescence with authenticity that will speak to YA readers.
