The Smugglers by Iain Lawrence Date of Publication: 1999 ISBN: 0440415969 Number of Pages: 181

REQUIRED READING ABILITY: Average
GENRES: Adventure, Mystery, Historical Fiction
THEMES: Good versus Evil, Appearance versus Reality, Survival, Revenge, Loyalty, Friendship

SUMMARY:
John Spencer is now two years older than he was in The Wreckers, and is still curious and eager for a life at sea. He and his father are en route to see The Dragon, a schooner they hope to purchase, when a mysterious, traveling stranger warns them the ship is evil and will bring them death. It seems the Dragon has a history as a smuggler’s ship, and when a highwayman stops their coach, shooting John’s father, the warning appears to be an omen.

After a series of further adventures, John finds himself sailing the Dragon on its first legitimate voyage, though his seafaring companions are more than he bargained for. He begins to suspect that all is not what it seems, especially when the mysterious stranger from the coach is found dead nearby. The fiery and dangerous Captain Crowe isn’t a man to cross, however, and John soon discovers that smugglers are still very much involved with the Dragon. As the voyage continues, John realizes he must outwit the smugglers and foil their evil plot, if he is going to save the Dragon…and himself.

WHO WOULD LOVE THIS BOOK? A kid who...

• loves high seas adventure
• doesn’t mind the odd gory death scene
• likes classic adventure stories like Treasure Island or Robinson Crusoe
• loves Pirates of the Caribbean
• loves sailing
• likes Iain Lawrence (Smugglers, Buccaneers, Convicts, Lord of the Nutcracker Men, etc.)
• wants to be a hero
• takes his or her responsibilities seriously

WHAT ELSE?
This book has been chosen as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, an ALA Quick Pick, and a Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book, as well as receiving a number of starred reviews. It continues the tale of John Spencer, but readers don’t have to have read the first book in the series to enjoy this one. I would recommend, however, that they read the first two books in the High Seas Trilogy before moving on to Book 3, The Buccaneers, as too many secrets are revealed.

Iain also has a 2005 series in the same kind of vein, about a boy named Tom Tin. It starts with The Convicts and continues with The Cannibals. In addition to these seafaring tales, he has written a number of other novels, including a few about World War II (Lord of the Nutcracker Men, B for Buster, etc.)

RELATED LINKS:
About the Author Iain Lawrence
Red Cedar Awards and Nominations Iain Lawrence