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Dagger Quick

by Brian Eames
256p. 978-1-44242-311-4.
COPY ISBN
Gr 4—7—Eames's swashbuckling adventure on the high seas begins in 1678 England. Christopher "Kitto" Quick, 12-year-old apprentice barrel maker to his father, Frederick, has always been ridiculed for his clubfoot and longs for excitement and new experiences. He gets more than he bargained for when a pirate, Captain William Quick, appears with trouble on his heels, claiming to be Kitto's uncle and bringing to light a score of hidden family secrets. Soon, Frederick is dead, and the ruthless privateer John Morris, who is hunting William Quick and a long-lost treasure, has kidnapped Kitto's stepmother and stepbrother. The youngster joins Captain Quick's crew, equipped with nothing but the dagger Frederick left him and the resolve to rescue his family and avenge his father's death. Fast-paced, well-developed, and historically accurate, the lively narrative grabs readers from the get-go and keeps them sailing through the pages. Kitto must determine whom he can trust if he is to save his life and those of his loved ones. Not for the lily-livered, this coming-of-age quest is perfect for landlubbers and pirate aficionados alike. Eames has left readers yearning for the sequel with a true cliff-hanger.—Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA
Kitto, a clubfooted cooper's apprentice in seventeenth-century England, longs to go to sea. After his father is murdered, the boy, armed with the dagger Dad left him, finds himself on his pirate uncle's ship with only his own judgment to tell him whom to trust. Action abounds in the story, with just enough information held back to keep readers guessing.
Brian Eames presents a sympathetic underdog—Kitto—and an intriguing mystery within the first few pages, immediately hooking his audience. Readers won’t want to put the book down until they discover how every plot element ties together. Vivid language with clear and detailed descriptions makes scenes come alive: “Kitto slid more than stepped down the first two steps, the fear churning inside of him. One hand clutched the railing, the other the pistol. His knees felt as if they might buckle beneath him.” Eames deftly shows that people’s actions and attitudes define them more than their limitations. Kitto has a clubfoot (and resents his deformity and anyone who draws attention to it), but he finds his disability merely challenging, not insurmountable. The relationships between Kitto, his half brother, and his stepmother are tender and touching. This is a warm portrait of a blended family whose love surpasses blood ties.

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