By: Kenneth Oppel
It is young Matt Cruse’s dream to follow in his father’s footsteps, to become an Airship Captain. Cruse works as a cabin boy on the passenger airship Aurora when pirates attack the ship and steal everything of value. The ship gets caught in a storm and Matt and Kat crash on a deserted island. It is up to the fearless cabin boy to save the ship. He defeats the pirates and flies the Aurora to the safety of the main land.
- Ashley C, age 15
Awards
- Beehive Award 2006
- Red Maple Award (OLA) 2005
- Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature 2004
- Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award for Children’s Literature
- Thumbs Up! Award (Michigan Library Association)
- New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age 2005
- Amazon.ca #1 Editor’s Pick for Children 2004
- School Library Journal Best Book 2004
- ALA Best Book for Young Adults
- BBYA Top Ten Book
- BCCB Blue Ribbon Book
- CCBC Starred Choice
- Quill & Quire Best Children’s Book
- YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers
- Honour Book: International Board on Books for Young People 2006
- Honour Book: CLA Book of the Year for Children Award 2005
- Honour Book: CLA Young Adult Book Award 2005
- Honour Book: Michael L Printz (ALA)
- Shortlisted: Arizona Young Readers’ Award 2007
- Shortlisted: Maud Hart Lovelace Reader’s Choice Award 2007
- Shortlisted: Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award 2006
- Shortlisted: Rocky Mountain Book Award 2006
- Shortlisted: Sunburst Award 2005
- Shortlisted: Carnegie Medal (UK)
- Shortlisted: Rhode Island Teen Book Award
- Shortlisted: Snow Willow Award (Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice Award)
- Shortlisted: TD Canadiana Children’s Literature Award
By: Kenneth Oppel