Karen Hesse: Young Nick's Head

By MARGIE THOMSON

Another truly great read, this is the (fictional) diary of Nicholas Young, who stowed away to become part of one of the most famous voyages of discovery of all: Captain Cook's first voyage aboard the Endeavour, during which he "discovered" New Zealand, and mapped the eastern coast of Australia. It's gripping stuff, full of genuine adventure, the detail of life aboard the little sailing ship, and the thrill and danger of being the first Europeans to visit new lands.

Intended for teenagers, there is much here even for adults: the book is itself a journey of discovery with a high degree of historical accuracy.

Nick is a terrific host, his youthful innocence and intelligence proving a fresh lens to the glories and shame of the expedition. The passion for scientific discovery is offset by the relentless slaughter of sea and land creatures by the naturalists aboard; the bravery, loyalty and curiosity of the expedition members is offset by what we may now perceive as ridiculous scenes where the dignified Cook, on the strength of landing on an already-occupied shore, claims somebody else's home for England.

And through it all, little details of Nick's life emerge that give us snippets of background to 18th-century England (how hard it was to be apprenticed to a brutal taskmaster, for instance) and enough detail so that in the end we feel we know (and very much care about) this sensitive runaway. The Endeavour's voyage becomes his own passage from boyhood to manhood. A wonderful story.

Simon and Schuster

$22.95