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The Girl Who Rowed the Ocean
‘An inspirational ocean adventure’ – Bear Grylls
Lucy wants to explore the world, and do something daring and difficult. But people laugh at her when she hatches a plan to row across the Atlantic Ocean.
So her family rallies round to help prepare for the journey, loading her boat with supplies for 3,000 miles of rowing. Her school friends follow her from afar, learning about the ocean, its wildlife and pollution.
Alone at sea, Lucy faces seasickness, storms and a very sore bottom, not to mention close encounters with ships and a humpback whale. Yet there are also the joys of wandering seabirds, shooting stars and magical sunsets, as she finds she is capable of more than she ever imagined.
Step aboard and join Lucy on her life-changing adventure to become the girl who rowed the ocean.
Author
Alastair Humphreys is a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year. He has cycled around the world, rowed the Atlantic Ocean and walked a lap of the M25 – one of his pioneering microadventures.
He is the best-selling author of 14 books, including Great Adventurers, which won the Stanford’s Children’s Travel Book of the Year and the Teach Primary Award for Non-Fiction.
He has written eight books for Eye including the best-selling The Boy Who Biked the World trilogy, a series of novels for 7–12-year-olds based on the real-life adventures he recounted in Moods of Future Joys, Thunder and Sunshine and Ten Lessons from the Road. His more recent The Girl Who Rowed the Ocean is a similarly novelised version of his transatlantic crossing.
‘An inspirational ocean adventure’
Bear Grylls
‘Lucy’s epic voyage brought back happy memories of my own ocean crossings. It’s a realistic and inspiring tale of adventure at sea’
Sarah Outen
‘The perfect handbook for anyone young or old in search of adventure’
Steve Backshall
‘Rowing the Atlantic and caring for our wild places are very close to my heart. Well done, Lucy!’
Ben Fogle
‘We need more young people like Lucy getting active and having adventures in the freedom of nature’
Helen Glover
‘Don’t underestimate the power and strength of young people. We all have a part to play in protecting our oceans, no matter our age!’ - Ella Meek, Kids Against Plastic
‘The thing we are most excited about in this book is how well it fits in with our curriculum’ - Karen Allen, assistant head teacher and English lead at Lydiate Primary School, Liverpool
Promotional
An ocean-going follow-up to The Boy Who Biked the World, the three parts of which have together sold more than 100,000 copies. Both works are fictionalised versions of the author’s own real-life adventures.
ALASTAIR HUMPHREYS has rowed the Atlantic and cycled around the planet. A National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, he is the best-selling author of 14 books, including The Boy Who Biked the World trilogy and Great Adventurers, which won the Stanford’s Children’s Travel Book of the Year and the Teach Primary Award for Non-Fiction. He is a qualified teacher, and The Girl Who Rowed the Ocean leans heavily on the KS2 syllabus.
Lucy wants to explore the world, and do something daring and difficult. But people laugh at her when she hatches a plan to row across the Atlantic Ocean.
So her family rallies round to help prepare for the journey, loading her boat with supplies for 3,000 miles of rowing. Her school friends follow her from afar, learning about the ocean, its wildlife and pollution.
Alone at sea, Lucy faces seasickness, storms and a very sore bottom, not to mention close encounters with ships and a humpback whale. Yet there are also the joys of wandering seabirds, shooting stars and magical sunsets, as she finds she is capable of more than she ever imagined.
Step aboard and join Lucy on her life-changing adventure to become the girl who rowed the ocean.
Author
Alastair Humphreys is a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year. He has cycled around the world, rowed the Atlantic Ocean and walked a lap of the M25 – one of his pioneering microadventures.
He is the best-selling author of 14 books, including Great Adventurers, which won the Stanford’s Children’s Travel Book of the Year and the Teach Primary Award for Non-Fiction.
He has written eight books for Eye including the best-selling The Boy Who Biked the World trilogy, a series of novels for 7–12-year-olds based on the real-life adventures he recounted in Moods of Future Joys, Thunder and Sunshine and Ten Lessons from the Road. His more recent The Girl Who Rowed the Ocean is a similarly novelised version of his transatlantic crossing.
‘An inspirational ocean adventure’
Bear Grylls
‘Lucy’s epic voyage brought back happy memories of my own ocean crossings. It’s a realistic and inspiring tale of adventure at sea’
Sarah Outen
‘The perfect handbook for anyone young or old in search of adventure’
Steve Backshall
‘Rowing the Atlantic and caring for our wild places are very close to my heart. Well done, Lucy!’
Ben Fogle
‘We need more young people like Lucy getting active and having adventures in the freedom of nature’
Helen Glover
‘Don’t underestimate the power and strength of young people. We all have a part to play in protecting our oceans, no matter our age!’ - Ella Meek, Kids Against Plastic
‘The thing we are most excited about in this book is how well it fits in with our curriculum’ - Karen Allen, assistant head teacher and English lead at Lydiate Primary School, Liverpool
Promotional
An ocean-going follow-up to The Boy Who Biked the World, the three parts of which have together sold more than 100,000 copies. Both works are fictionalised versions of the author’s own real-life adventures.
ALASTAIR HUMPHREYS has rowed the Atlantic and cycled around the planet. A National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, he is the best-selling author of 14 books, including The Boy Who Biked the World trilogy and Great Adventurers, which won the Stanford’s Children’s Travel Book of the Year and the Teach Primary Award for Non-Fiction. He is a qualified teacher, and The Girl Who Rowed the Ocean leans heavily on the KS2 syllabus.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2022
42 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
August 24, 2022
I want to talk a little bit about this book I just finished, which is a fictionalized story of an eleven-year-old girl who rowed across the Atlantic Ocean. As I was reading it, I kept saying to myself, the author must have done immense research on this. I almost felt as though the author has done this trip himself.
And I was right, he had. He not only had done it, but interviewed others who had done it, collecting stories of all the things that happen when one is rowing from the UK to Barbados, and combined them into this very interesting, and informative story.
What I like a lot about this, is that when there is an info dump, it isn’t done by Lucy telling us about it, but rather by her school mates writing about it as a homework assignment, such as about the garbage in the ocean, or the whales that she would meet.
The other cool way of moving the story forward, was her journal entries, where she wrote about how she was feeling.
There is humor, there are scary moments, and there is wonder.
The author said he had a hard time selling this to publishers, because it was about a girl, and no one wanted to read an adventure about a girl. It was a great adventure, and I’m glad he went ahead with it.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
And I was right, he had. He not only had done it, but interviewed others who had done it, collecting stories of all the things that happen when one is rowing from the UK to Barbados, and combined them into this very interesting, and informative story.
What I like a lot about this, is that when there is an info dump, it isn’t done by Lucy telling us about it, but rather by her school mates writing about it as a homework assignment, such as about the garbage in the ocean, or the whales that she would meet.
The other cool way of moving the story forward, was her journal entries, where she wrote about how she was feeling.
There is humor, there are scary moments, and there is wonder.
The author said he had a hard time selling this to publishers, because it was about a girl, and no one wanted to read an adventure about a girl. It was a great adventure, and I’m glad he went ahead with it.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
August 18, 2022
The Girl Who Rowed the Ocean by Alastair Humphreys is a wonderful children's novel that will delight readers of any age. It is a follow-up to The Boy Who Biked the World trilogy.
Lucy is seeking an adventure and decides that she will row across the ocean on her own, all the way to Barbados. It is a massive undertaking, but with lots of preparation and her family's help, and with her classmates at home following along, Lucy embarks on the biggest challenge of her young life. Learning about the ocean, marine life, and the growing crisis of plastic pollution, Lucy navigates her way purposefully toward her goal, gaining skills and confidence along the way.
I highly recommend this book to children and adults alike, and to anyone who is looking for an uplifting tale that educates and entertains in equal measure. I will be adding The Boy Who Biked the World trilogy to my TBR.
Many thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an ARC.
Lucy is seeking an adventure and decides that she will row across the ocean on her own, all the way to Barbados. It is a massive undertaking, but with lots of preparation and her family's help, and with her classmates at home following along, Lucy embarks on the biggest challenge of her young life. Learning about the ocean, marine life, and the growing crisis of plastic pollution, Lucy navigates her way purposefully toward her goal, gaining skills and confidence along the way.
I highly recommend this book to children and adults alike, and to anyone who is looking for an uplifting tale that educates and entertains in equal measure. I will be adding The Boy Who Biked the World trilogy to my TBR.
Many thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an ARC.
August 28, 2022
Flying fish face slap ...
... to the publishers who rejected the idea, because it was about a girl. All the pizza and ice cream to author Alastair Humpreys for persisting, and for writing this epic adventure story for kids.
Oh, and about the flying fish face slap: It shows up in the book and might seem unbelievable (like I'm sure adults would say about so many things in this book). But I can attest to its truthfulness. It happended to me! In the middle of the Atlantic, in the dark, on a small boat (but with a sail). My face smelled like fish the whole next day. This little nugget of a fact is just my way of saying that the story is well researched and based on real experiences on the open ocean.
May it inspire many a great and small adventure, bring awareness to the plight of our oceans and give kids the courage to follow their curiosity and figure things out their own way.
... to the publishers who rejected the idea, because it was about a girl. All the pizza and ice cream to author Alastair Humpreys for persisting, and for writing this epic adventure story for kids.
Oh, and about the flying fish face slap: It shows up in the book and might seem unbelievable (like I'm sure adults would say about so many things in this book). But I can attest to its truthfulness. It happended to me! In the middle of the Atlantic, in the dark, on a small boat (but with a sail). My face smelled like fish the whole next day. This little nugget of a fact is just my way of saying that the story is well researched and based on real experiences on the open ocean.
May it inspire many a great and small adventure, bring awareness to the plight of our oceans and give kids the courage to follow their curiosity and figure things out their own way.
September 9, 2022
This is a fictionalized story of an eleven-year-old girl who rowed across the Atlantic Ocean. While reading this, I felt the author has a very in-depth knowledge about the subjects conveyed in this story. Which made me wonder if the author has done a similar trip himself! When I look it up, it turned out he had. He not only had rowed across the Atlantic Ocean, but interviewed others who had done it, collecting stories of all the things that happen when one is rowing from the UK to Barbados, and combined them into this very interesting, and informative story.What I found enjoyable about the way it was written, was that the extra information wasn’t told from Lucy’s perspective, but by her school friends in a homework assignment style. (for example: the whales that she would meet.)What also helped speed the books timeline along, are the parts where they show diary entries. They describe how she is feeling physically and emotionally. The story has ups and downs, but mostly a lot of beautiful wonder. It truly is a funny, touching and inspiring story. There is a true emphasis on learning; which does not only happen in schools.. I learned so much from this story; the significant impact of the adult’s attitude upon children’s hopes, dream and ambitions. How quickly we pass our own fears and anxieties upon children and are therefore at risk of crushing the children’s ambitions and chaining them. Thank you for this phenomenal read!
August 25, 2024
Though this isn't written as a fantasy, I had a hard time getting over the idea that parents would encourage their daughter (It's never stated how old she is, but one would assume she's still in elementary school because she's been studying times tables) with little seafaring experience to try and row across the Atlantic Ocean on her own. This was actually done by two men in 1896 over the course of 55 days. Their time record stood until the year 2,010. The protagonist, Lucy. manages to accomplish this on her own in 45 days.
The idea of a young person being ambitious and brave about accompishing something difficult is admirable, but I can't imagine any parent encouraging their child to attempt something this dangerous by rowing on her own for 3,000 miles. Along the way, Lucy experiences a host of challenges, many of them life-threatening. The story has no shortage of adventures.
Perhaps my favorite part was that her teacher had the class follow Lucy's trek and learn about the ocean in the process, Their studies are interspersed throughout the story, and this nonfiction material was a nice touch. I just found most of the plot too farfetched and implausible.
The idea of a young person being ambitious and brave about accompishing something difficult is admirable, but I can't imagine any parent encouraging their child to attempt something this dangerous by rowing on her own for 3,000 miles. Along the way, Lucy experiences a host of challenges, many of them life-threatening. The story has no shortage of adventures.
Perhaps my favorite part was that her teacher had the class follow Lucy's trek and learn about the ocean in the process, Their studies are interspersed throughout the story, and this nonfiction material was a nice touch. I just found most of the plot too farfetched and implausible.
August 27, 2022
I found this book to be fun, informative, and incredibly interesting to read. I also appreciate the fact that the author, who has himself rowed across an ocean, chose to make the main character a girl who embarks on an adventure rather than a boy.
Lucy is a witty daydreamer who is true to age, and capable of inspiring children (male OR female) to live their dreams, however big or small, find the best in all situations, and see the beauty of the world around us. She is supported by her family and friends, and even gains the respect of other adults around her during her journey.
This book contains a mixed media feel, including entries from Lucy’s diary and homework assignments from her classmates, which are cleverly used to provide the reader with extra information regarding the ocean, weather, sea creatures, and other things relevant to Lucy’s journey that would feel bulky in the main text.
Overall, an entertaining and enjoyable middle grade book, which I’m thankful to have received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lucy is a witty daydreamer who is true to age, and capable of inspiring children (male OR female) to live their dreams, however big or small, find the best in all situations, and see the beauty of the world around us. She is supported by her family and friends, and even gains the respect of other adults around her during her journey.
This book contains a mixed media feel, including entries from Lucy’s diary and homework assignments from her classmates, which are cleverly used to provide the reader with extra information regarding the ocean, weather, sea creatures, and other things relevant to Lucy’s journey that would feel bulky in the main text.
Overall, an entertaining and enjoyable middle grade book, which I’m thankful to have received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 2, 2023
I wondered long and hard before writing this review about what I really thought of this book and how to rate it. On the one hand, it was a fascinating way of providing information without making it tedious - on the other, given the factual nature of everything, I was surprised how easily the family and everyone took this plan. I first thought they were humouring her, but it turned out that they were practically on board.
I went back and forth, but once I talk about it in more detail, you will probably understand why I stand where I do.
Lucy has been given homework, which works as a jumping-off point for a slightly crazy idea. She decides to row across the Atlantic Ocean! Her brother has featured in the author's previous book, where he cycled the world. I have not read that one, but I think it sounds equally entertaining.
When she floats her idea at school and at home, she is faced with encouragement and suggestion on how to go about it. She works hard to get ready. All the practical details and issues are discussed, including funding which was quite fascinating in this context.
Then once she sets off, we see her daily and most dangerous days on the water. These chapters are interspersed with the essays written by her classmates for the original Oceans homework. They are doubly invested because they feel connected to Lucy rowing by herself.
All of this information was provided in such a way that I came away much more knowledgeable about the entire process without it feeling like an overloading of facts. This jarred in my head with the idea of a kid being allowed out on her own, given the strict legal rules in the Western world. I know this is a children's book and a great way of getting them interested, but I am not a frequent reader of such books, so I continue to harp on this one thing that bothered me ( I know more fantastical stuff happens with kids' adventures, but at least there it completely sounds fictional).
That said, the topic, the easy language, the details and the author's note at the end giving further context to everything made me pretty confident that it is a book I would recommend for my nieces (and nephews) if they want to try something new.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
I went back and forth, but once I talk about it in more detail, you will probably understand why I stand where I do.
Lucy has been given homework, which works as a jumping-off point for a slightly crazy idea. She decides to row across the Atlantic Ocean! Her brother has featured in the author's previous book, where he cycled the world. I have not read that one, but I think it sounds equally entertaining.
When she floats her idea at school and at home, she is faced with encouragement and suggestion on how to go about it. She works hard to get ready. All the practical details and issues are discussed, including funding which was quite fascinating in this context.
Then once she sets off, we see her daily and most dangerous days on the water. These chapters are interspersed with the essays written by her classmates for the original Oceans homework. They are doubly invested because they feel connected to Lucy rowing by herself.
All of this information was provided in such a way that I came away much more knowledgeable about the entire process without it feeling like an overloading of facts. This jarred in my head with the idea of a kid being allowed out on her own, given the strict legal rules in the Western world. I know this is a children's book and a great way of getting them interested, but I am not a frequent reader of such books, so I continue to harp on this one thing that bothered me ( I know more fantastical stuff happens with kids' adventures, but at least there it completely sounds fictional).
That said, the topic, the easy language, the details and the author's note at the end giving further context to everything made me pretty confident that it is a book I would recommend for my nieces (and nephews) if they want to try something new.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
August 14, 2022
“The Girl Who Rowed the Ocean” is a delightful tale of adventure that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Once I started I could not put it down. The author has cleverly created this story from a child’s point of view. As we embark with Lucy on her incredible adventure we learn about the joys and challenges faced when rowing across an entire ocean. Through the eyes of her schoolmates we see how her inexhaustible determination inspires them to learn about the conservation of the Atlantic Ocean. I highly recommend this book for adventurous children and creative elementary school teachers.
- Alycin Hayes, Award-winning author of “Amazon Hitchhiker”
- Alycin Hayes, Award-winning author of “Amazon Hitchhiker”
August 19, 2022
Fun, Adventure and Inspiration. Perfect for Kids!
What an adorable, exciting tale. I absolutely loved reading about this courageous girl's adventure rowing the ocean.
The story is woven around her class at school learning all about the oceans and the things she is experiencing. It would be a wonderful tool for educators to use in the classroom.
I also loved that the story is so inspiring and encouraging readers to think up an adventure of their own (and how much more exciting it is than time on screens).
A great little read for adults and children alike. Highly recommend!!
What an adorable, exciting tale. I absolutely loved reading about this courageous girl's adventure rowing the ocean.
The story is woven around her class at school learning all about the oceans and the things she is experiencing. It would be a wonderful tool for educators to use in the classroom.
I also loved that the story is so inspiring and encouraging readers to think up an adventure of their own (and how much more exciting it is than time on screens).
A great little read for adults and children alike. Highly recommend!!
October 8, 2022
⭐3,8
My first impression of the book from the catchy title and cover is how a great adventure it is and that I wanted to read it. I am happy that the author published this book despite that two large publishers refused to. The book encourages reader to step out from their comfort zone and also talks about environmental issues, especially ocean. What's more interesting is the assignments of Lucy's classmate. Those are very insightful and creative!
Thank you Netgalley and Lightning Books for the avability of this book.
My first impression of the book from the catchy title and cover is how a great adventure it is and that I wanted to read it. I am happy that the author published this book despite that two large publishers refused to. The book encourages reader to step out from their comfort zone and also talks about environmental issues, especially ocean. What's more interesting is the assignments of Lucy's classmate. Those are very insightful and creative!
Thank you Netgalley and Lightning Books for the avability of this book.
Read
July 7, 2023It was a Christmas present to my granddaughter, who passed it on to me after she read it - a tradition in our family. A very interesting and educational book which is intended to whet the reader's appetite for adventure through determination. Highly recommend it to parents and grandparents who want to present their children and grandchildren with a quite amazing adventure and learning about the mysteries of our oceans.
September 27, 2022
Alastair's writting is so simple yet so mesmerizing.
This story of Lucy, a youngster that wants to row the ocean, is so well written for the age group it is intended to.
The power of dreams, of doing what we care, and the power of having the loving ones support it's there, for everyone to read and believe in it!
It made me go on an adventure!
Thanks so much Alastair.
This story of Lucy, a youngster that wants to row the ocean, is so well written for the age group it is intended to.
The power of dreams, of doing what we care, and the power of having the loving ones support it's there, for everyone to read and believe in it!
It made me go on an adventure!
Thanks so much Alastair.
February 23, 2023
When my daughter’s 4th grade teacher offered up that parents could come do a book review for the class, I jumped at the offer and immediately set out to find a book that was both inspiring, educational, and adventurous. I found that in this book about a girl named Lucy who decided to row across the ocean!
August 26, 2022
I read this with a group of children from 5 to 15 and they all enjoyed it. They found it exciting and wanted to know more about the story and the ocean. They all went out afterwards to find out more. You could almost taste the salt on your lips at times. I highly recommend this book.
December 11, 2023
what an adventure!
Really appreciate Alastair for writing a book from a young girls perspective. We read this book as a family after reading the boy that biked the world and both are top notch. Well done inspiring the youth to take chances and create memories through adventure.
Really appreciate Alastair for writing a book from a young girls perspective. We read this book as a family after reading the boy that biked the world and both are top notch. Well done inspiring the youth to take chances and create memories through adventure.
February 9, 2024
I had the chance to read this book to my two daughters. They absolutely loved it. They really loved hearing a story about a little girl going on an adventure. They continue to talk to me about it and pretend that they are in a boat rowing to Barbados.
June 30, 2024
I enjoyed reading about Lucy’s adventure as she crossed the Atlantic. I liked how the teacher got the class involved in learning about the ocean. We all need to reduce pollution in our environment and this book shows how it affects all of us.
A great book to teach in the classroom.
A great book to teach in the classroom.
August 6, 2022
Great book to encourage adventure in youngsters. Strong environmental message, combined with facts and insights from the author’s own Atlantic row.
September 22, 2022
Fun and adventurous read for parents and their pre-teen children alike. Highly recommend, fun summer read.
January 20, 2023
Excellent both for kids and adults
Amusing and yet realistic. Informative and engaging for kids. Built with clever yet clear layers of subtext. I highly recommend.
Amusing and yet realistic. Informative and engaging for kids. Built with clever yet clear layers of subtext. I highly recommend.
March 30, 2023
This book inspired me to work hard for my rowing regatta. You never know anyone can get lucky!
November 17, 2023
Read for school - I enjoyed and gives a great sense of adventure. Kids in Y6 found it very funny at times and they felt they learnt things from the book. Good class read.
December 13, 2023
Great book for everyone. It was fun to read as a family and see how my kids learned taking adventures can be fun and exciting but also filled with trials. Knowing the true inspiration behind this story made it that much greater that Alastair chose to have the main character be a girl who wouldn’t be out done by her brother who booked the world
Read
January 13, 2024A lovely inspirational book, great to have a young girl as the adventurer.
January 21, 2024
Very exciting
August 27, 2024
Kids absolutely loved this. Lots of educational bits stuff in there and hidden away just enough to not distract from the story.
December 28, 2025
Fantastic book, I couldn’t put it down! I will definitely be reading this one to my kids in the near future.
May 5, 2025
I enjoyed this book and think that the target audience would enjoy it even more. A great adventure story filled with facts about the ocean in an entertaining way.
May 9, 2025
I was assigned to read this book as part of my ELA coursework and it was a struggle to read. (I had to put it down so many times out of sheer frustration) The sentences were choppy and the book sounded as though it was both written by and for a fourth grader. From reading the back, you could figure out almost the entire plot of the book. Girl is frustrated with day-to-day life, makes drastic, life-changing decision to go on an adventure, and this adventure is rowing the ocean. If the fact of her making such a decision so early on in the book (without much character development or context) would have simply been more realistic or thought out, it would have been much better.
Another detail that I would like to nitpick is the fact that she randomly emailed a frozen pizza company and got a sponsorship and boat to travel across the ocean.
I feel as though the book would have been much better if the author had simply built non Lucy's character a bit more, such as providing a better reason for her sudden journey across the Atlantic or building her character by having her fundraise for a boat.
To conclude, the ideas of this book were, sure, if you read the back cover, interesting at first, but, the way that it’s written is so childish. I would honestly only recommend this book to those under eleven.
Another detail that I would like to nitpick is the fact that she randomly emailed a frozen pizza company and got a sponsorship and boat to travel across the ocean.
I feel as though the book would have been much better if the author had simply built non Lucy's character a bit more, such as providing a better reason for her sudden journey across the Atlantic or building her character by having her fundraise for a boat.
To conclude, the ideas of this book were, sure, if you read the back cover, interesting at first, but, the way that it’s written is so childish. I would honestly only recommend this book to those under eleven.
July 19, 2024
Homeschool mom and read this to my kids as we studied all about the Ocean. Kids loved it. I loved it. Fun book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews