BLOODY JACK

Bloody Jack

by L.A. Meyer

2002

278 Pages

Eight year old Mary "Jacky" Faber loses her family to pestilence. In London 1797 it's a rough time to be an orphan. With no family or home Jacky is left to survive on the streets. Sje is soon "adopted" by a gang of orphans where she learns to beg for food and money. But after the gang leader is murdered Mary decides that life as a boy might be an easier path. She cuts her hair, changes her name to Jack and is soon hired on to the HMS Dolphin, a British Navel vessel as a ship's boy.

Jacky now has to use all her wits to keep her secret and learn to survive on board.

Page 130

"All I really want is a small ship," says I, "that could carry a respectable cargo and be able to be handled with just a few-"

"We know what you want, Jacky," says Davy. "Just put a sock in it."

"Piss off, Davy," snarls I, steamed up at being interupted. "Someday, you vile little scab, someday when that wars are all over and you're stranded on shore, you'll come to the fine offices of Faber Shipping Company Worldwide and say, "Will ye be givin' me a post now, Jacky?" and I will not."

Davy laughs. "You'll have to, Jack, because of the Oath of the Brotherhood."

"Well then, Davy, I'll give you a post as a ship's boy and I'll keep you as a ship's boy till you go all bald and stooped in the back, and won't you scrub the head till it shines, by God!"

I loved this book so much! I loved the character Jacky who was full of heart and wit. This book is filled with adventure, humor and a little romance. I can't wait to read the next installment of this series-The Curse of the Blue Tattoo which is already in my TBR pile.

I reccommend this book to ages 12 and up because of some light sexual content. This book is available for check out at the Salmon Public Library.