Ghosts of the Pacific

“Roy’s writing keeps getting better and better. He has a fun, original concept. Ghosts of the Pacific is a page-turning adventure with depth. Roy has done his research, and he has a brilliant plot device with which to work. Alfred is a thoughtful, practical, sympathetic narrator. The book is packed with information—geographical, historical, political—but it never feels didactic….an excellent series to have in the classroom. Suspenseful, exciting, thought-provoking and fun…for any age. Highly recommended!” –CM Magazine

“This is an award-winning series that will appeal to young readers, particularly boys who are drawn to adventure stories and the technical elements of sea travel….Readers who follow the entire series will see real growth in Alfred as a character —from a single-minded fourteen-year-old who just wants to explore to a sixteen-year-old world traveler who has learned the beauty and dangers of the sea, witnessed firsthand man’s destruction of the oceans, and pledges to do something about it by becoming an environmentalist.” —VOYA Magazine

“Like a great adventure, Ghosts of the Pacific does not allow the reader the opportunity to be distracted or bored….The plot is relentless, always enriched with unexpected subplots, steeped in a multifaceted landscape of cold and warmth, hardness and softness.” —CanLit for Little Canadians

“[Ghosts of the Pacific] will draw in boys as well as girls, and perhaps even reluctant readers as Roy’s writing is clean and simple while the story is gripping and full of adventure.” —Resource Links

An incredible story--with lots of history and geography, too! I loved Al's journey to the Arctic--and my favorite part was when he met Cinnamon, who is a trapeze artist in a traveling circus. I also loved Al's growing environmentalism--and how he is so self-sacrificing when saving dolphins and turtles from fishing nets. Probably my favourite book in the series, but it's hard to say!

This is one of my favorite novels in the Submarine Outlaw series by Philip Roy, especially because there are so many wonderful environmental themes in this one. Alfred also makes friends with Cinnamon, who is part of a floating circus. This book was also really interesting from a historical standpoint, too. If you haven't read the series, you're missing out!