Polaris

by Michael Northrop Narrated by Steven Kaplan

Overview

A crew of children must pilot a ship across unfamiliar seas while a strange creature lurks belowdecks in this fast-paced survival story from New York Times bestselling author Michael Northrop.

Alone at sea, with only the stars to guide them . . .

The Polaris is on a mission to explore new lands, and its crew is eager to bring their discoveries back home. But when members of the advance landing party mysteriously disappear, the remaining adults abandon ship, leaving behind the young cabin attendants and deckhands -- none of them older than twelve. With whispers of mutiny, a strange tropical illness, and perhaps even a wild beast shadowing them, the young sailors are desperate to steer the vessel to safety. When one of their number goes missing, and a strange but sweet smell drifts up from belowdecks, the young crew begins to suspect that someone -- or something -- else is onboard. Having steeled themselves for the treacherous journey home, they now have more to fear than the raging waters of the Atlantic . . .

Editorial Reviews

FEBRUARY 2018 - AudioFile

Steven Kaplan’s narration of this epic adventure is compelling and engaging. He brings the listener aboard the POLARIS as a band of deckhands and cabin boys, none older than 12, struggles to master the high seas and and avoid something mysterious lurking below deck. With the captain’s murdered body dumped overboard and the mutinous crew abandoning the ship shortly afterward, Owen is left to rally the others as they attempt to make it home. The narrator’s voice ratchets up the tension, keeping the listener moving between nervous anticipation and terror. This middle grade audiobook is perfect for listeners looking for a suspenseful story with a healthy dose of action. S.J.S. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

Publishers Weekly

09/04/2017
In a chilling tale of horror on the high seas, set in the 1830s, a scientific mission to the Amazon jungle turns into a desperate struggle for survival after the crew brings something unexpected and terrifying on board. Following a brutal mutiny, every adult on the Polaris is either dead or has fled, leaving behind half a dozen children, including the captain’s 12-year-old nephew Owen, botanist’s assistant Henry, and assorted other ship’s boys, two of whom are girls in disguise. As tempers rise, food grows short, and the sea turns fierce, the young remnants of the Polaris crew must somehow sail the decrepit ship to safe harbor, but an abomination lurks below decks, growing in strength and ferocity. Northrop (the TombQuest series) incorporates a wealth of nautical and historical detail while making skilled use of atmosphere, tension, and a well-developed cast to drive home the darkness of this adventure. A brisk read, but one that is sure to linger after the lights have been turned out. Ages 9–12. Agent: Sara Crowe, Pippin Properties. (Oct.)

From the Publisher

Praise for Polaris:"This story is scary fun. Loved it!" — R.L. Stine, author of Goosebumps"The salty sailing details and the drama of keeping afloat in the face of damaging storms and winds is just as heart-pounding as the struggle for survival against the threat already onboard. An exciting blend of nautical adventure and monstrous horror." — Kirkus Reviews"Middle grade readers looking for an adventure on the high seas without leaving the comfort of their homes will love this swashbuckling, spine-tingling tale." — School Library Journal "A chilling tale of horror on the high seas... Sure to linger after the lights have been turned out." — Publishers WeeklyPraise for Surrounded by Sharks:"This story strikes a balance of suspense and action... For reluctant readers and fansof survival stories." — School Library JournalPraise for TombQuest:"A thrilling adventure rich in Egyptian mythology and magic... Sure to be a blockbuster." — BooklistPraise for Trapped:"Northrop gets at the core of human nature through masterful pacing... Gripping." — Kirkus Reviews

School Library Journal

09/01/2017
Gr 5–8—It's 1830, just off the coast of an Amazon rain forest, and a portion of the crew of the ship Polaris is on a scientific expedition on shore. When they return to the ship, mayhem ensues as the captain tries to load the botanist's discoveries on board. The six youngest members of the crew, merely children, are locked in the captain's quarters during the mutiny. The escaping crew members try to blow up the Polaris, but the six youngsters attempt to save the ship and themselves. Little do they know that in the lower decks lurks a monster that will grow, reproduce, and try to overcome them. This historical fiction/science fiction mash-up is filled with adventure, mystery, and horror. Readers will be engrossed in the story as they wait to find out if this skeletal crew without experience or muscle can make it back to civilization without being consumed by the monster below. There are wonderful descriptions of life aboard a 19th-century sailing vessel, and each of the six children are given well-drawn personalities. VERDICT Middle grade readers looking for an adventure on the high seas without leaving the comfort of their homes will love this swashbuckling, spine-tingling tale.—Elizabeth Kahn, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy, Avondale, LA

FEBRUARY 2018 - AudioFile

Steven Kaplan’s narration of this epic adventure is compelling and engaging. He brings the listener aboard the POLARIS as a band of deckhands and cabin boys, none older than 12, struggles to master the high seas and and avoid something mysterious lurking below deck. With the captain’s murdered body dumped overboard and the mutinous crew abandoning the ship shortly afterward, Owen is left to rally the others as they attempt to make it home. The narrator’s voice ratchets up the tension, keeping the listener moving between nervous anticipation and terror. This middle grade audiobook is perfect for listeners looking for a suspenseful story with a healthy dose of action. S.J.S. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

2017-08-02
An 1830s American scientific voyage to the Amazon goes terribly wrong.Only half of the men who went ashore for provisions before the book's outset return to the ship, the Polaris, anchored off the coast of Brazil. Afterward some remaining sailors seek to eliminate a sick crew member, and the resulting argument leads to violent mutiny. The successful mutineers, strangely, abandon ship while also attempting to blow it up—leaving behind a handful of the youngest, lowest-ranked, mostly white kids, who save it, overcoming class and racial distinctions to work together. Cabin boy Owen, captain's nephew, takes charge. Botanist's assistant Henry's highly intelligent but knows nothing about sailing. Thacher's rumored to be from a fine Boston family whose reversal of fortune has led to his being sold into servitude; powder monkey Aaron's said to be half Pequot (the other half unspoken but presumably white). Manny and Mario, the olive-skinned "Spanish brothers," are good sailors with a secret. The kids must keep the ship from sinking before they can reach land and safety. There's also something lurking belowdecks—strange noises and a disturbing, sweet smell lead them to speculate about a haunting. What's actually there is much worse than a ghost. The salty sailing details and the drama of keeping afloat in the face of damaging storms and winds is just as heart-pounding as the struggle for survival against the threat already onboard. An exciting blend of nautical adventure and monstrous horror. (Historical horror. 9-15)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170856312
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	10/31/2017
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

Read an Excerpt

Aaron lifted his head and drew in a long breath through his nose. "Is that smoke?" he said.Owen sniffed the air. It was smoke. He leaned closer to the door. A gust of wind whistled through the gap, and suddenly the smell was stronger. "We have to get out of here!" he said.This time, the others didn't argue. They rushed the door together. Owen and Aaron, the two largest, were in front. They buried their shoulders into the wood as the smaller boys pushed from behind. But the wood was thick. Owen's shoulder ached as they drew back and crashed into the door for the third, fourth, and then fifth time. Stars burst and swirled across his vision. Finally, on the sixth try, he heard a dry, splintering sound. The door was pulling away from one of its heavy iron hinges. He shifted over, targeting that edge, and with two more bull rushes, the old door broke free.Owen stepped through first, squinting into flickering firelight and coughing on thick smoke. His fists were clenched, ready for a fight, but the threat he saw was far more explosive. "What the blazes?" he said as the others filed out behind him.It was a fitting oath, because in the center of the deck, a fire was burning. A length of rolled-up sailcloth had been curled into a semicircle, with one end aflame and the other end wedged beneath a wooden barrel."That's gunpowder!" shouted Aaron.

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