Overview

Ten-year-old Misha Alexandrov sails to Alta-California's north coast in 1827 as an uninvited member of the Russian American Company. Even before he steps foot into the Russian colony of Fort Ross, his heart is captivated by the beauty of the coast and a longing to call it home. He is soon aware of an urgency to prove his worth as a working member of the colony. As an orphan of a Russian father and an Aleut mother, he must also overcome the perception that he brings with him a bag of bad luck. Testing at the hands of a tyrannical foreman forces him to develop the mental strength to stand up to the waves of prejudice and self-doubt that threaten to pull him from the shore he comes to love. Ultimately, the orphan discovers that it is neither the mixed blood that flows through his veins nor the cultures he admires that will define him, but the land itself.

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9780692544846

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Reviews

A beautiful and absorbing story, rich in history, that readers will have a hard time putting down. - Diana Wallis Taylor, award winning author The writing is fluid and engaging, allowing the reader to appreciate the history of Fort Ross, while the characters are fully realized and the book well plotted. The use of metaphor relays the book's strong message, making this story one to be used for discussion among readers. - Review from BookLife Prize for Fiction The story brings to life the California coast of the 1800s through the lens of a clever and brave young protagonist. Misha isn't perfect, but he has great heart and determination. I think children will readily relate to his struggles while subtly learning about a chapter in California history. The setting is vividly rendered, and the characters are well developed and feel real. When Misha ultimately overcomes his challenges and gets what he wants, readers will cheer. Highly recommended. Ann Creel award winning author of The Magic of Ordinary Days

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