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Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite
Tommy Ellis Heads North West is a novel written by Jes Parkin. Both worried and excited, Tommy Ellis is about to embark on his second deep sea fishing adventure with his father, who is the Captain of the Stella Vega. Tommy’s worry stems from the fact that the first time they were at sea, travelling to Bear Island, he had fallen overboard into freezing waters. Not only does he remember the icy chill while being rescued, but he had also witnessed a crew member losing a limb in rough weather, and prayed such a thing would not happen again. When boarding the Stella Vega, Tommy is introduced to ten-year-old Robert – the son of the Mate – and is asked to show him the ropes and keep an eye on him. Unfortunately, Robert immediately proves himself to be a nightmare, gaining joy from tormenting each of the crew members, hiding their tools while they worked, ignoring all of his on-board duties and hiding from the crew for fun. As the journey into the deep blue continues, the ship endures stormy weather before rescuing the crew of another ship which was ablaze. Robert’s insufferable antics continue, putting those on board at risk. After Robert continues to hide and play silly games, the crew decides to ignore him completely. Crying wolf is a deadly game when out at sea.
Living in Finland, I can honestly say that Jes Parkin’s depiction of the chilly waters in the Arctic Circle was accurate and well described. It confused me as to why a child with such behavioral problems would be permitted on such a perilous journey while so young, but the story worked well, with each scene being highly imaginative and realistic. I was able to easily visualize the icy waters, as it is a regular sight in my Finnish home, and Tommy’s fear of going overboard into sea is understandable. The characters were very easy to relate to, and I was able to empathize with their frustration at being the butt of a child’s practical jokes which could lead to deadly consequences for the men. I very much enjoyed Tommy Ellis Heads North West and recommend it to young adult readers who enjoy action, drama, and suspense whilst immersing themselves in a deep sea fishing adventure.
