School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-4In this historically accurate, fictionalized account for beginning chapter-book readers, Waters tells a story of the Mayflower's passage to America through the characters of William Small, the apprentice to the master of the ship, and Ellen Moore, an eight-year-old passenger. The text is based on historical documents, two passenger accounts of the actual trip, and other voyages of the time. In a section at the end, the author explains her research; and distinguishes fact from fiction. Kendall's clear, full-color photographs, shot on the Mayflower II, complement the story. This book is well written, designed, and photographed. A good choice for patrons who enjoyed Waters and Kendall's Samuel Eaton's Day (1993) and Sarah Morton's Day (1989, both Scholastic).Charlyn Lyons, Wichita Public Library, KS (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Similar in format to Waters's other books about children in the 1620s, this is the story of the voyage from England to America, told by Will, apprentice to the ship's master. Using live models and photographed aboard the 'Mayflower II', the color photographs give a vivid sense of the experience. The narrative is occasionally confusing, but realistic dialogue and events help convey a sense of authenticity. Additional historical notes are included. Glos. From HORN BOOK 1996, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 3^-5. Similar to Waters and Kendall's earlier works about children in the 1620s, Sarah Morton's Day (1989), Samuel Eaton's Day (1993), and Tapenum's Day (1994), this book tells of two young people crossing the Atlantic on the Mayflower. The narrator is William Small, apprentice to the ship's master; Ellen Moore is the young passenger he befriends. Readers can follow the journey from these two different perspectives. Full-color photographs of costumed characters aboard the Mayflower II illustrate the story, making it more vivid than most accounts of the Mayflower voyage. Although the photos sometimes look posed, they provide intriguing glimpses of seventeenth-century ways; many of the pictures are quite handsome in their own right. A good addition to American history collections. --Carolyn Phelan