The Maplin Bird

3.5
nail-biting sailing story with a dash of upstairs/downstairs drama — I genuinely am a little bit surprised by the depth of some of it but it is really just… sailing and adventure and drama. Had me strangely hooked and I understand Emily and Toby’s fascination with Adam Seymour… impressive characters methinks. Did not understand half of the book I fear due to not knowing anything abt boats. I think I like this author. I did very much like the illustrations.
(I kind of did not clock the time period until the Disraeli mention

Read during Fall 2004

Very unlike the Flambards books and unlike the Pennington books as well. A brother and sister in Victorian times are left at the mercy and charity of their unpleasnt aunt and uncle in a seaside fishing village. They deciede to strike out for themselves in the fishing boat left by their father and make their way in the world, running into a charming but self-absorbed smuggler along the way. I didn't want Emily to like Adam, her rich employeer's smuggling son, as much as she did but it was very believable. A highly enjoyable read.