The Powder Monkey

Summary: Harry, a young assistant to a harbor shopkeeper, suddenly finds himself pressed into loading one of the ships of Lord Nelson's Navy during England's battles against France. A knock on the head keeps Harry on the ship after it sets sail. In his first terror, he finds his best friend George has been forced onto the ship, and he makes friends with Jack, an experienced sailor. Harry becomes a "powder monkey," one of the young boys who carried explosive charges and powder to supply the gun crews -- a dangerous but important job. He survives a battle, and eventually returns home safely.

Text Type: Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction

Theme/Topic: World Connections, Human History