31 copies

Based on a story published in 1881 in St. Nicholas magazine, this is a tale of young Abigail who is forced to take the wheel of The Neptune, the boat that is their home and their business. This boat takes vegetables every day f rom Old Port New Jersey to New York City, twenty miles away. Abigail takes the wheel when her father leaves the boat to help two boats that collided and the first mate takes ill.

Written for the "I can read" series, it is a delightful short story about a young girl who becomes the hero. The author feels it is a true story, although it was never presented as such. Students might want to believe it and that wouldn't be a bad thing. ( )

2014-12-24