Paul Dowswell Books In Order

Sam Witchall Books In Order

Powder Monkey (2005)
Prison Ship (2006)
Battle Fleet (2007)

Novels

Auslander (2009)
The Cabinet of Curiosities (2010)
Sektion 20 (2011)
Eleven Eleven (2012)
Red Shadow (2014)
Bomber (2015)
Wolf Children (2017)

Chapter Books

Pirate Attack (2011)
Wave (2016)

Non fiction

Sam Witchall Book Covers

Novels Book Covers

Chapter Books Book Covers

Non fiction Book Covers

Paul Dowswell Books Overview

Powder Monkey

Sam is desperate to leave his sleepy Norfolk village and see the world. He seizes the chance to join a merchant ship, but soon discovers that a life at sea is harsh and often short, especially when his ship is attacked by a French privateer. About to be boarded, they fear all is lost, but the privateers are driven off by the appearance of a Royal Navy ship. Sam’s relief is short lived. Soon after, another Navy ship sends over a press gang, and he is forced to join the frigate Miranda. War with France and Spain is raging and Sam is caught in the middle with a dangerous job as a Powder Monkey in the company of a brutal crew. This is an amazingly well researched adventure giving a glimpse of one boy’s incredible life at sea.

Prison Ship

Sam fights in a fierce battle against the Danish Fleet, led by none other than Admiral Nelson himself, and against all odds victory is theirs. Peace is declared and Britain’s war with most of Northern Europe is over. Sam can go home. But on the journey back, he witnesses a crime, for which he is framed. He is sentenced to death, but at the last minute this sentence is commuted to transportation to Australia. With petty thieves, vicious criminals, women and other children, Sam begins an eight month journey to the other side of the world, and a life of slavery in the harsh Australian interior. He knows that, against all odds, he must escape.

Battle Fleet

Sam escapes death in Australia when the truth about his false conviction is finally revealed. But on the journey back to England he faces pirates and a terrible storm, before making the longed for trip back up the river Thames. Finally reunited with his family in Norfolk, Sam realizes how much life at sea has become part of him. So when he hears that Napoleon plans to attack England, he is tempted to join the navy once more, and finds himself midshipman on none other than the Victory, preparing for one of the most epic battles in history: Trafalgar.