Tom is 14-years-old, and he has just been promoted to lieutenant in the British navy. It's 1813, and he's stationed off the coast of Cuba, with orders to capture slave runners. Tom is a small fellow, but he takes his duties very seriously. For advice, Tom trusts his good friend Peter Mangrove, a former slave. For everything else, he looks for the answers himself or with his Newfoundland dog, Sneezer.

Tom is responsible for the lives of his men, and it isn't always possible to keep them safe and out of harm's way. He knows that some of his sailors are jealous of him. Others don't want to follow Tom because of his youth. To make matters worse, there is a war going on. Tom wants to follow orders from his commanding officers, but he feels terrible when he loses men. He also doesn't agree with his orders to return captured slaves to their owners. How can he live up to his conscience? Can Tom ever be an honorable officer of the British Crown?

There are many reasons to read TOM CRINGLE: The Pirate and the Patriot. Author Hausman is really good at explaining history. In this book, you learn about The War of 1812 and the British navy from the English point of view, and the history of slavery in England. TOM CRINGLE also teaches you about duty and how one young man rises above the expectations laid out for him. An excellent and engrossing adventure tale!

   --- Reviewed by Tamara Penny