Holiday House Books - Coming 2-23-27!

1920. The Atlantic Ocean.

James Merrivale Windlesham-Davies is crossing from England to America amidst the first-class opulence of the White Star Line’s RMS Olympic. The grand staircase. The swimming bath. The splendid promenades where the rich can enjoy the sea air.

But James Merrivale Windlesham-Davies’ real name is Jamie Quill. And he doesn’t have a first-class ticket. He’s only rubbing elbows with the rich so that he can rob them.

Forced into an Oliver Twist-ish life of crime by ‘Uncle’ – the rogue who took him in after the death of his beloved Gran – Jamie is soulsick at having to pick pockets to earn his keep. But as they head for a new life in New York, Jamie hopes to find a way to abandon Uncle and his wickedness.

For a very big ship, the RMS Olympic turns out to be a very small world, and Jamie finds some unexpected allies. There’s Violet, a White Star stewardess who takes him under her wing. And Teddy, a first-class American boy who also happens to be one of Jamie’s victims. Just as Jamie is an unwilling pickpocket, Teddy is an unwilling spiritualist, dragged along to shipboard séances with his parents. 

Can Jamie hide the truth of who he is until they reach New York? Or will the crossing allow him to become the person he was meant to be all along?