Product Description

"Steer clear of that ship," warns the mysterious gentleman who shares a coach with John and his father. "Death she'll bring you," says the man. "It's the way of a ship that was christened with blood."

This is an ominous introduction to the schooner John is about to be entrusted with for a voyage to London. But he's too charmed by the pretty Dragon to heed the advice. The ship looks clever and quick, and John can hardly wait to sail her. She was a smugglers' vessel once, but now she's his Dragon, and she'll proudly carry wool for honest trade.

But soon John will be forced to consider the gentleman's warning. And to wonder what he really knows about his bonny crew.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #395607 in Books
• Published on: 2000-10-10
• Released on: 2000-10-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

From Publishers Weekly
In the wake of Lawrence's The Wreckers comes this companion novel, a second riveting high-sea adventure featuring swashbuckling characters, salty dialogue and a taut succession of cliffhangers. The author successfully conjures an aura of mystery and tension around The Dragon, a schooner once used to smuggle goods (and men) between England and France. Now John Spencer and his merchant father want to use the boat for honest trade, but as soon as they purchase The Dragon, they seem to be touched by its curse: someone murders the captain they've hired before the ship sets sail; his replacement, blustery Captain Crowe, turns out to be a scoundrel who hires a crew of criminals. During the first leg of the voyage, John receives a cryptic warning to "beware the one who seems least likely" to harm him. But which man could it be? Wrought in the tradition of a 19th-century serial, this novel moves along at a clip via brief episodic chapters and complicated twists. Naive to the ways of experienced con men, John has his work cut out for him, but his bravery and high morals earn him the rank of hero. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 5-9Another adventure from the author of The Wreckers (Delacorte, 1998), featuring the same sturdy hero, John Spencer. As the 19th century begins in England, the 16-year-old is an able assistant in his fathers business. He still loves the sea, and is thrilled to be selected as the firms representative on a voyage bringing goods to London aboard the Dragon. This seemingly mundane venture turns sinister almost immediately. A stranger warns the Spencers about the beautiful schooners past as a smugglers vessel and her reputation as a death ship. Suddenly violence and close calls beset merchant and son, and John finds himself at sea, isolated from communication with his father, and accompanied by a less-than-trustworthy captain and crew. Soon they sail into dangerous waters, literally and figuratively, and John needs all of his strength and wits to overcome deadly threats from powerful enemies, find answers to old mysteries, and bring the Dragon home safely. As in its companion novel, the books nonstop action, fast-paced plot, and picturesque characters make for a real page-turner.Starr E. Smith, Marymount University Library, Arlington, VA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Readers who devoured The Wreckers (1998), Lawrence's first ripping yarn of adventure, mystery, and derring-do on the Cornish coast 200 years ago, will be eager to dig into this seafaring sequel. Now 16 years old, narrator John Spencer takes responsibility for bringing his father's ship, the Dragon, from Kent to London with a cargo of wool. Dependent on the unscrupulous and perhaps mad captain appointed by his father, John is alarmed by hints of smuggling, warnings of evil, portents of death, all of which erupt in violence and murder as the journey nears its end. Along the way, John tries to sort out what to believe, whom to trust, and how to prove himself worthy of his father's belief in him. John makes a stalwart, sympathetic Everyman, surrounded by a cast of memorable and wildly colorful characters: the one-armed boatman who has a rude remark for every occasion; the blind woman who has waited 30 years for her seafaring husband's return; the sailor who fears drowning so much that he wears a jerkin sewn with layers and layers of corks; and the sailor's alter ego, a red-cloaked highwayman who has so many firearms in his belt, hands, and bandolier that he's said to bristle with pistols. A well-written period adventure, with the door left open for more to come. Carolyn Phelan

Customer Reviews

Andrew Yu P.3
The Smugglers
Book review

This book is about a boy named John. John had a father who bought a ship called the dragon. This dragon caused a lot of trouble to John and his father. Also, his captain was a very evil man that used to smuggle other people and products like brandy. He also tried to kill John on the way to London. Luckily, Dasher helped save Johns life several times.
I chose this book because my friend had told me that it was fun. The cover was also very interesting. The designs and the boat looked very detailed in the huge storm. The smugglers sounded like a very fun and exciting book. Once I read the first few chapters, it felt as if I had to read the rest of the book. I liked this book because it had many exciting parts and lots of action.
My favorite part of the book is when John gets shot from dasher. He got shot twice and was very scared. He talked about getting flashbacks right before you die. The reason why I liked this part is because it was very funny. A few pages after this event, it explains that the gun he used had no real bullets and just made a hole on his clothes.

The Smugglers
This book is about a little adventurous boy named John Spencer. Johns father has bought a new ship called the Dragon. Rumor has it that the Dragon is cursed and should bring misfortune to the owner. A evil ship should be towed by an evil man, a smuggler in fact, smuggling from every port this side of London. Now this ship in the hands of John and his father, what fortune should become of them?

If you like adventure books this is the book for you. There is'nt a moment when there isn't a dilema for little John Spencer. A must read for lovers of any adventure books, or any boat books.

Smuggling a way to the top!
A wonderful companion to The Wreckers, The Smugglers followsJohn Spencer, a young teenager and finds a world of mystery and ofcourse smuggling on his new ship, The Dragon. A must read for all fans of Treasure Island, The Wreckers or any other books about Historical Boat runs.