Submarine Outlaw

Submarine Outlaw
Author(s)
Publisher Name
Ronsdale Press
Age Range
10+
Release Date
September 01, 2008
ISBN13
978-1-55380-058-3

Submarine Outlaw takes young adult readers on a unique journey when Alfred, a young boy who wants to be an explorer — not a fisherman, as his family demands — teams up with a junkyard genius to build a submarine that he sails around the Maritimes. The book takes the reader through the hands-on process of submarine construction into the world of real ocean navigation, replete with a high-seas chase, daring rescue and treasure hunting.

Children will identify with Alfred’s desire for an adventurous life and the sense of empowerment that comes with building his own submarine and operating it independently. They will also love the unusual crew — a rescued dog and a quirky seagull. The First Prize Winner of the Atlantic Writers Competition, Submarine Outlaw shows how any great goal in life takes a good deal of patience, determination and hard work. But also how hard work on one’s dream becomes an act of joy.

“Philip Roy’s Submarine Outlaw is a wildly imaginative story of adventure full of surprises and fast paced, yet there is also wisdom and insight to be found here.” — Lesley Choyce

Submarine Outlaw takes young adult readers on a unique journey when Alfred, a young boy who wants to be an explorer — not a fisherman, as his family demands — teams up with a junkyard genius to build a submarine that he sails around the Maritimes. The book takes the reader through the hands-on process of submarine construction into the world of real ocean navigation, replete with a high-seas chase, daring rescue and treasure hunting.

Children will identify with Alfred’s desire for an adventurous life and the sense of empowerment that comes with building his own submarine and operating it independently. They will also love the unusual crew — a rescued dog and a quirky seagull. The First Prize Winner of the Atlantic Writers Competition, Submarine Outlaw shows how any great goal in life takes a good deal of patience, determination and hard work. But also how hard work on one’s dream becomes an act of joy.

“Philip Roy’s Submarine Outlaw is a wildly imaginative story of adventure full of surprises and fast paced, yet there is also wisdom and insight to be found here.” — Lesley Choyce

User reviews

2 reviews
Overall rating
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0(2)
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5.0(2)
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Submarine Outlaw Reviews
(Updated: June 04, 2026)
“Submarine Outlaw and its sequels have firmly established themselves as a riveting adventure series that has gathered a significant following who are anxiously awaiting this next installment. And they will not be disappointed! This personal quest and the internal struggles that it evokes for Alfred give this book a new dimension and allow his character to be more fully developed. . . . Roy continues to keep this series fresh and engaging. We will all join Alfred in anticipating his next voyage.”— Atlantic Books Today

“A truly riveting adventure story, Submarine Outlaw will likely capture the heart and minds of all who have longed to escape the confines of their everyday world and try something exciting and even dangerous.” –janeonbooks.edublogs.org

“A refreshing Canadian novel about following a dream.”— Resource Links

“A terrific and uniquely imaginative premise for an Atlantic Canada novel for kids.”— The Chronicle Herald

“Submarine Outlaw is so well written it is totally believable. Dramatic and touching. Highly recommended!” — Hi-Rise Newspaper
RP
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Submarine Outlaw Review
(Updated: June 04, 2026)
Overall rating
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
5.0
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A somewhat unusual story--a boy travelling throughout the Maritimes in his own homemade submarine--with a seagull and a dog for a crew--but it works--and it's really the start to an incredible adventure series! I would recommend this to anyone--young or old! I love this series--it's one of the best I've ever encountered!
L
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Submarine Outlaw Review
(Updated: June 04, 2026)
Overall rating
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Alfred, Ziegfried, and Sheba are all great characters--but you can't forget Hollie and Seaweed! This is a great book, and the series just gets better and better!
L
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