This exciting middle grade novel caused lack of sleep so I could finish it. There will be sequels but it ended in a satisfactory way. 13 year old Egbert's father takes his motherless family on a trip which begins the adventure. Set in an imaginary world where sailboats are used and pirates attack, the feeling is rather 18th century. Egg falls for a beautiful girl who is a strong character and manages to survive one disaster after another. Both boys and girls should enjoy this one.