Historical Fiction-Review

Bloody Jack:Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy

By: L.A. Meyer

Retold By: Katherine Kellgren

A. Bibliographic Data

Meyer, L.A. 2002. Bloody Jack:Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy. Orlando, FL. Harcourt Books.

ISBN: 0-15-216731-5

B. Plot Summary

Bloody Jack is a story about a young orphan girl named Mary. Living on the streets of London, when Mary's dear friend Charlie dies, she runs away and disguises herself as "Jack" a young ship's boy. She joins the crew of the HMS Dolphin. She sails the seas and discovers new things and fights pirates along the way. Jack is then faced with the challenge of growing and changing while being on a ship full of boys and men, while also hiding her love for another ship's boy named Jaimy. Finally having to reveal her true identity to Jaimy, the two fall in love, and their romance is kept a secret among all men on board. After one last pirate attack Jacky's identity is blow and she is dropped off in Boston to attend a school for young girls. Bloody Jack is a true tale of adventure that is packed with romance and action.

C. Critical Analysis

The story of Bloody Jack is a tale of adventure that will have the reader sucked in from the beginning. The book is written in old english sailor dialogue and it is strong throughout the whole book. The audio version is told by Katherine Kellgreen and she does an outstanding job using different accents from English to Irish to Caribbean. The audio version was a joy to listen to and I found myself a bit disappointed when it was over not wanting to put it down. The book is action packed with chapter after chapter of action and fights. L.A. Meyer descriptive language has the reader having an exact picture of what is going on in the book. The romance between Jacky and Jaimy is pure sweet and innocent, with a true taste of young love. Bloody Jack will have you laughing one minute, fighting pirates the next, and having you feel a mixture of emotions on every page.

D. Awards Won

* Book Sense 76 Pick

* Booklist Editors Choice

* Bulletin Blue Ribbon

* Junior Library Guild Selection

* New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age

Booklist Review-" Living on the streets of London with a gang of street urchins, orphan Mary decides she’ll have an easier time of it if she poses as a boy. Following the murder of her friend Charlie, Mary steals his clothes, collects his “shiv,” calls herself Jacky Faber, and signs on as a lowly ship’s boy on a Royal Navy frigate. Kellgren’s flexible British accent easily captures the seafaring atmosphere and Jacky’s emotions as she tries to hide her true identity from her mates and superiors. She consistently maintains Jacky’s Cockney accent, Irish sailor Liam’s brogue, and a Jamaican seaman’s Caribbean lilt, excellently reflecting the varied nationalities and personalities onboard. Jacky’s appearance attracts the attention of a slimy pedophile, portrayed by Kellgren in sinister, suggestive tones. Jacky eventually falls in love with a boy on the ship who learns of Jacky’s true gender, and in a memorable scene onshore, Kellgren’s high-pitched tones easily mimic Jacky’s successful attempt to imitate the voice of an island girl to deceive her shipmates. Nautical music introducing and concluding the work adds to the mood, as does Kellgren’s impressive singing of a ballad. Populated with wicked sailors, midshipmen, and a close-knit group of ship’s boys, this rousing historical tale is an appealing choice for fans of adventures, sea stories, and gutsy girls."-Booklist Review

E. Connections

*Introduce and challenge students read other books in the Bloody Jack series.

*Students research the English Navy

*Students research and read other books concerning pirates.