It is 1577 and Francis Drake, the Queen of England’s favourite adventurer, has been ordered to command a new expedition leaving from Plymouth. Drake has appointed you, Francis Fletcher, as Chaplain on the expedition. You believe you are off on a trading trip to Alexandria in Egypt, but Drake’s expedition has another purpose. Where will this voyage take you?

The humorous cartoon-style illustrations and the narrative approach placing readers at the centre of the narrative history encourage readers to get emotionally involved with the characters, aiding their understanding of what life would have been like sailing with Francis Drake. Informative captions, a complete glossary and an index make this title an ideal introduction to the conventions of non-fiction texts for young readers.

Sample fact: ‘Drake comes from a family of seafarers. Long ago, William Hawkins, Drake’s uncle, showed King Henry VIII exotic fruit he had brought back from his travels.’