Author Michele Torrey

Orphaned by the plague, penniless, and without friends, Mateo must find his way in the world. What he stumbles upon in a dirty, noisy inn is the adventure of a lifetime. Soon Mateo is at sea, a cabin boy on the celebrated voyage of Captain-General Ferdinand Magellan. The destination is secret, but the crew whispers that Magellan will be the first to visit the Spice Islands of the East by going west—and everyone will return with untold riches.

Life at sea is backbreaking, but for Mateo it is home. He soon discovers the meaning of friendship, loyalty, and hard work, as well as the delight of first love. But when the sea rages and brother turns against brother, Mateo and Magellan are both in danger—and it’s not clear if anyone will survive.

"The writing is lively; readers will feel as if they have been right there with Mateo on one of the greatest voyages of discovery ever. This deserves to be in the hands of every reader who loves history and adventure." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Torrey deftly maintains the taut thread of adventure that, along with the cast of memorable characters, keep the pages turning." -- Publisher's Weekly, Starred Review

"Torrey spins a breathtaking, gritty adventure that leaves the reader feeling the salty spray of seawater and the desperate hunger of a belly too long empty." -- Mercury News, San Francisco

A Junior Library Guild selection

Starred review “Publishers Weekly”

VOYA Top Shelf Fiction for Middle-School Readers for 2003

Named one of the "Year's Best Children's Books" by Mercury News, 2003.