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Voyage of the Sandpiper
"Your life will never be exciting if you're afraid to risk becoming cold and wet. You and I, we throw caution to the wind! We swim to the greatest depths! We face the sea!"Summer, 1939. When fifteen-year-old Agatha's mother falls gravely ill, she is shipped off to the coast of Maine to live with her aunt, Edith Philipa Gordan, an eccentric writer who hasn't finished a novel in decades and paints birds obsessively. What begins as a dull summer immediately takes a turn towards adventure with the arrival of Edie's old beau, Horatio Macleay, and hishandsome nephew. With WWII looming on the horizon, Agatha and her new group of friends s race against time and across continents to complete their mission before it is too late. Along the way, Agatha learns the importance of trusting in the perfect timing of God and discovers the power of hope.
372 pages, Paperback
Published July 17, 2019
3 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Glasner
23 books11 followersJessica Glasner is an author and screenwriter. In her timeless classic World War Two series, The Seabirds Trilogy, Jessica’s love for both story and research shine.
Young and old alike agree that her lively characters, colorful settings, and laugh-out-loud vignettes display the goodness of God in the darkest moments of the past. Known for instilling hope, faith, and Judeo-Christian values through page-turning stories, inspiring tears and laughter, her books are those that are read over and over.
Young and old alike agree that her lively characters, colorful settings, and laugh-out-loud vignettes display the goodness of God in the darkest moments of the past. Known for instilling hope, faith, and Judeo-Christian values through page-turning stories, inspiring tears and laughter, her books are those that are read over and over.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 24, 2021
After years trekking up and down library shelves, I have finally found a series that is beautiful, memorable, and family appropriate. The slow burn style romance, setting, and adventure are all whimsical and sweet. They took me away to a world that left me and my family smiling. (Yes, we read Sandpiper out loud.) The author's use of "cliche played for laughs" had us in stitches. There is a cinematic aspect to the story, scene by scene, like watching an old movie from the era. The characters are lively, vibrant, and funny. The surprisingly deep turns towards the end of the story took us all by surprise. I'm looking forward to reading it again. It's been hard finding excellent book series. This is an answer to prayer.
September 18, 2019
Age Appropriate For: 12 and up for mild romance and war-related topics
Best for Ages: 12-20
I want to start of by saying this book is best for younger readers. I think it would be a great way to introduce young people to the beginnings of World War II and the plight of the Jewish people during that time. Still, I enjoyed this story.
Glasner has a wonderful writing style and well thought out plots and characters. She obviously put a lot of time in to do research and thought out all her characters well. She also did a great job picking unique settings and fun locations for her stories. She is an author to watch.
Edie was my favorite character. She was an eccentric writer with a good heart and a lot of fun quirks. Piper is an endearing character with struggles a lot of girls can relate to. I especially appreciated how the faith element was woven into the story with ease. It was the right balance of being there and not being preachy.
Both romances were done in a very sweet manner. Piper likes a young man and handles it very well. The romances are sweet, devoid of eye-rolling drama or blush-worthy scenes. It’s done well.
While the historic aspect was a little simplistic for me, I think it’s perfect for introducing younger readers to concepts of World War II.
I recommend this book for young people, those looking for solid stories on World War two, or those who enjoy sweet books.
Best for Ages: 12-20
I want to start of by saying this book is best for younger readers. I think it would be a great way to introduce young people to the beginnings of World War II and the plight of the Jewish people during that time. Still, I enjoyed this story.
Glasner has a wonderful writing style and well thought out plots and characters. She obviously put a lot of time in to do research and thought out all her characters well. She also did a great job picking unique settings and fun locations for her stories. She is an author to watch.
Edie was my favorite character. She was an eccentric writer with a good heart and a lot of fun quirks. Piper is an endearing character with struggles a lot of girls can relate to. I especially appreciated how the faith element was woven into the story with ease. It was the right balance of being there and not being preachy.
Both romances were done in a very sweet manner. Piper likes a young man and handles it very well. The romances are sweet, devoid of eye-rolling drama or blush-worthy scenes. It’s done well.
While the historic aspect was a little simplistic for me, I think it’s perfect for introducing younger readers to concepts of World War II.
I recommend this book for young people, those looking for solid stories on World War two, or those who enjoy sweet books.
February 19, 2022
Voyage of the Sandpiper is a must read!
I learned history from an excellent teacher, and I was challenged to grow in trusting God...all while being completely entertained at the highest level of the historical fiction craft. I dream it becomes a movie someday... If you are looking for a lovely and exciting read with a great flow, and want to learn while having a relaxing read, this is it. It's a score. It will not waste your time. Invest in yourself and GET THIS BOOK.
10/10 recommend.
I learned history from an excellent teacher, and I was challenged to grow in trusting God...all while being completely entertained at the highest level of the historical fiction craft. I dream it becomes a movie someday... If you are looking for a lovely and exciting read with a great flow, and want to learn while having a relaxing read, this is it. It's a score. It will not waste your time. Invest in yourself and GET THIS BOOK.
10/10 recommend.
July 25, 2019
What A Great Read!
This is young adult historical fiction at its best. The trilogy covers WWII from the perspective of young adulthood. Funny at times, well-researched and accessible and faith-based.
A blast to read!
This is young adult historical fiction at its best. The trilogy covers WWII from the perspective of young adulthood. Funny at times, well-researched and accessible and faith-based.
A blast to read!
December 26, 2021
Highly recommend this book. The characters grabbed my heart. It grabbed my attention with the comedic bits with a good dose of history. Very funny. Perfect for a whole family to read out loud.
December 27, 2021
Get ready for a great read. Fun and wonderful history!
February 19, 2021
DNF
While this author seems to know about the political events and circumstances that were going on around the world at the beginning of the second world war, there were other things that just weren’t accurate or made sense, and stories that mix the real and the made up really bug me. I also wasn’t that interested in the characters, but I was going to keep reading until I had to put the book down frustrated because of the unrealistic things which were happening.
Here are just a few:
* A lobster baron from Scotland decides to take his yacht across the Atlantic Ocean from Maine to Spain. In 1939. Huh?
* The first mate is his 18-year-old nephew who has been in college.
* Neither the Captain nor his nephew have any Scottish accent at all. They act and sound like Americans.
* The 2nd mate is a older than 18 but younger than 25 and is/was a member of “Hitler’s Youth” (I am still wondering how he got to be 2nd mate on this yacht.)
* None of the officers on the yacht seem to be needed to run the ship for ALL 4 of them are quite regularly eating supper together, playing cards, or even dancing while the ship sails itself.
* No one thought to bolt any of the furniture in the cabins down so when a storm comes everything is sliding all over and crashing into the walls and knocking people over. Not sure how the walls survived and why no one was seriously hurt.
* The 1st and 2nd mate have known each other for years it sounds like, but I haven’t figured out how.
* From what I could find out, the pairing of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup didn’t start until after WWII, yet they ate that on their yacht.
I could go on, but that’s about when I quit.
While this author seems to know about the political events and circumstances that were going on around the world at the beginning of the second world war, there were other things that just weren’t accurate or made sense, and stories that mix the real and the made up really bug me. I also wasn’t that interested in the characters, but I was going to keep reading until I had to put the book down frustrated because of the unrealistic things which were happening.
Here are just a few:
* A lobster baron from Scotland decides to take his yacht across the Atlantic Ocean from Maine to Spain. In 1939. Huh?
* The first mate is his 18-year-old nephew who has been in college.
* Neither the Captain nor his nephew have any Scottish accent at all. They act and sound like Americans.
* The 2nd mate is a older than 18 but younger than 25 and is/was a member of “Hitler’s Youth” (I am still wondering how he got to be 2nd mate on this yacht.)
* None of the officers on the yacht seem to be needed to run the ship for ALL 4 of them are quite regularly eating supper together, playing cards, or even dancing while the ship sails itself.
* No one thought to bolt any of the furniture in the cabins down so when a storm comes everything is sliding all over and crashing into the walls and knocking people over. Not sure how the walls survived and why no one was seriously hurt.
* The 1st and 2nd mate have known each other for years it sounds like, but I haven’t figured out how.
* From what I could find out, the pairing of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup didn’t start until after WWII, yet they ate that on their yacht.
I could go on, but that’s about when I quit.
July 23, 2022
3.5 A good read!
*a review in exchange for the free audiobook from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
I enjoyed listening to The Voyage of the Sandpiper! Piper was a female character that didn't actually annoy me, although I do think she sometimes thought herself a little to grown up ;). The book is a little far fetched in some ways, and sometimes that annoys me, however, it didn't bother me much in this book. It was a fun story, good character relationships, interesting dialogue, and there was one character arc I especially liked (I won't spoil that :P).
I loved the characters! Piper and Peter had a really sweet relationship--definitely kept me hooked. The ending? Very satisfying.
Aunt Edie was amazing XD. Also, loads of credit to Ellie Gossage for narrating the book. She was incredible on the voices and really brought the cast to life.
The themes of hope were strong, and the author did a good job of showing the theme through the character's life.
Historically, the book possibly wasn't as accurate as it could've been, but it was cool to read a story set just before the war and see some of those things.
Overall, an enjoyable Christian read, that I would most certainly recommend. Probably 12 plus, but dependent on the readers' maturity.
*a review in exchange for the free audiobook from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
I enjoyed listening to The Voyage of the Sandpiper! Piper was a female character that didn't actually annoy me, although I do think she sometimes thought herself a little to grown up ;). The book is a little far fetched in some ways, and sometimes that annoys me, however, it didn't bother me much in this book. It was a fun story, good character relationships, interesting dialogue, and there was one character arc I especially liked (I won't spoil that :P).
I loved the characters! Piper and Peter had a really sweet relationship--definitely kept me hooked. The ending? Very satisfying.
Aunt Edie was amazing XD. Also, loads of credit to Ellie Gossage for narrating the book. She was incredible on the voices and really brought the cast to life.
The themes of hope were strong, and the author did a good job of showing the theme through the character's life.
Historically, the book possibly wasn't as accurate as it could've been, but it was cool to read a story set just before the war and see some of those things.
Overall, an enjoyable Christian read, that I would most certainly recommend. Probably 12 plus, but dependent on the readers' maturity.
August 30, 2022
I really enjoyed this one! Admittedly, there were quite a few things that could have been done better, but the characters were really what carried the story for me, and I was invested in them and their lives right from the beginning (:
January 20, 2020
I think my favorite thing about this book is the time at which the story is set. If you read historical fiction at all, you’ve probably read at least one book about WWII– there are tons of books that focus on that time period, and it’s easy to understand why.
I liked that THE VOYAGE OF THE SANDPIPER showed events leading up to the war. There were a couple of moments where things came up that I had never thought about, known, or realized before. (For instance, when Germany adopted laws stripping Jewish citizens of certain rights, one character speaks against it, and another responds pointing out that she’s an American and making a comparison between the German laws against Jews and the Jim Crow laws against black Americans. I can’t believe I’ve never thought of those two things side by side before– both horribly wrong. I just hadn’t considered them both in the same breath.)
Another thing I liked was the slow burn romance. There’s some tension and attraction, but so many other thing are happening. It wouldn’t have felt authentic at all if the characters stopped in the midst of a crisis to explore their feelings for one another. I think it would have been more satisfying if there had been a more active resolution to that part of the story, though.
I do wish that Agatha (who’s called Piper in the book) had more of an active role in the story. In terms of the active, heroic role, the story belongs more to her aunt Edie, and Agatha functions more as a sort of sidekick. I found myself wishing that it had been Agatha in the driver’s seat for some of the big intense moments in the story, instead of Agatha waiting to hear how her aunt manages to save the day.
I thought the spiritual elements were well-integrated into the story and felt natural to the characters. And I enjoyed the evolution of the characters and their relationships with one another. Overall, I think this is a nice read for historical fiction fans, and does a great job exploring some events leading up to WWII.
I liked that THE VOYAGE OF THE SANDPIPER showed events leading up to the war. There were a couple of moments where things came up that I had never thought about, known, or realized before. (For instance, when Germany adopted laws stripping Jewish citizens of certain rights, one character speaks against it, and another responds pointing out that she’s an American and making a comparison between the German laws against Jews and the Jim Crow laws against black Americans. I can’t believe I’ve never thought of those two things side by side before– both horribly wrong. I just hadn’t considered them both in the same breath.)
Another thing I liked was the slow burn romance. There’s some tension and attraction, but so many other thing are happening. It wouldn’t have felt authentic at all if the characters stopped in the midst of a crisis to explore their feelings for one another. I think it would have been more satisfying if there had been a more active resolution to that part of the story, though.
I do wish that Agatha (who’s called Piper in the book) had more of an active role in the story. In terms of the active, heroic role, the story belongs more to her aunt Edie, and Agatha functions more as a sort of sidekick. I found myself wishing that it had been Agatha in the driver’s seat for some of the big intense moments in the story, instead of Agatha waiting to hear how her aunt manages to save the day.
I thought the spiritual elements were well-integrated into the story and felt natural to the characters. And I enjoyed the evolution of the characters and their relationships with one another. Overall, I think this is a nice read for historical fiction fans, and does a great job exploring some events leading up to WWII.
February 9, 2023
Oh, how I enjoyed this book! Where others may think it is only for teens and 20's (and my 2 teenage daughters did indeed love it!), I believe adults will enjoy it just as much. I'm in my 40's and found myself not wanting it to end. I absolutely loved reading about little historical events during WWII that I had never known about. I loved the characters' vulnerable and honest struggles and also their growth. But for me personally, I loved the travel and adventure most of all. * The Voyage of the Sandpiper is a breath of fresh air in Christian fiction and I can't recommend it enough!
April 3, 2024
A heartfelt and lively adventure with both vintage-feel and authentic flair!
From an isolated lighthouse in Maine, to threatened Germany, we're taken along with a cast of vibrate and true characters in a highly entertaining, earnest journey of hope.
Historically insightful, romantic, laugh-out-loud and touching, this round-the-word adventure is a brilliant read for adults and teens alike.
Set sail in the 1940s for this brilliant story of Kindertransport, loyalty, European landscapes, and what it means to have a hope that does not disappoint.
From an isolated lighthouse in Maine, to threatened Germany, we're taken along with a cast of vibrate and true characters in a highly entertaining, earnest journey of hope.
Historically insightful, romantic, laugh-out-loud and touching, this round-the-word adventure is a brilliant read for adults and teens alike.
Set sail in the 1940s for this brilliant story of Kindertransport, loyalty, European landscapes, and what it means to have a hope that does not disappoint.
June 5, 2022
Beautifully written! I loved the characters, the themes and the writing. I loved that it was clean, gentle but with just enough energy to keep you engaged. Starting the next book today!
May 27, 2025
I adore this everything about this book and I do not apologise. XD
It hit home for me in a personal level, and it made me cry even though I was nineteen when I first listened to the audio book. (dazzling once you get used to the idea of, well, an audio book).
And, friends, friends, we finally have a generous splashing of old-fashioned capers and quote-able FUN and misadventures in our 1940s middle grade book and I am so happy.
Powerful little nuggets and threads as the series matures for young people needing some intro WW2 history, and the definition of wholesomeness in my books. Hugely recommended to tweens and above, and the perfect early Summer read of hope, humour, and heart <3
It hit home for me in a personal level, and it made me cry even though I was nineteen when I first listened to the audio book. (dazzling once you get used to the idea of, well, an audio book).
And, friends, friends, we finally have a generous splashing of old-fashioned capers and quote-able FUN and misadventures in our 1940s middle grade book and I am so happy.
Powerful little nuggets and threads as the series matures for young people needing some intro WW2 history, and the definition of wholesomeness in my books. Hugely recommended to tweens and above, and the perfect early Summer read of hope, humour, and heart <3
March 5, 2021
Well it’s quite hard to review this book. The story had me turning the pages but for some reason the characters didn’t grip me. My emotions weren’t engaged even though the subject matter should have moved me, so I couldn’t give it a 5*. I’m undecided whether to read the sequel. I’ve read many books set in this period and I guess it felt quite superficial and a bit cliched.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews