Book details

Book description

When twelve-year-old John Barr is forced to join the navy his life takes a dangerous turn. As he trains to become a powder monkey on board the mighty HMS Fearless, he soon learns that the ship hides many secrets.



Thrust into a sinister world of spies and covert operations, John must go ashore accompanied by fellow shipmate Kit. But when their mission goes awry, the friends are abandoned and watch from the shore as the Fearless sail away. Can they now survive behind enemy lines? Eilzabeth Laird has written many books for children, including KISS THE DUST (winner of the Children’s Book Award) and SECRET FRIENDS (nominated for the Carnegie Medal). Her novel RED SKY IN THE MORNING was Highly Recommended for the Carnegie Medal and shortlisted for the 1989 Children’s Book Award. JAKE'S TOWER and THE GARBAGE KING were both shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. She lives on the edge of Richmond Park in Surrey with her husband.