The Voyage of Charity Norton — Nancy Robison

In the 1700's and 1800's whale fishing was a big business. Sea captains would be away from their families for as much as ten years, so the women decided they would rather be with their husbands and make a home on board ship, then to be left behind. Seldom if ever, was any mention made in the captain's log of having a woman on board. If it had not been for the diaries and journals of the women and children, we would not know of their extraordinary experiences of sailing around the world and capturing whales. These were hardy and capable women living a life of hardship and adventure. Charity Norton, age twelve, in this story, is the captain's daughter, a girl of determination to be with the father she has not seen for five years. On his arrival home, he learns his wife has died at childbirth and he now has two daughters to take care of. What to do with them? With all her heart, Charity prays that her father will take them with him on his next voyage and away from the wicked Mrs. Trask, the inn-keeper, who had taken the girls into her care by making them work for their keep in the kitchen.