Reviewed by Dr. Karen Hutchins Pirnot for Readers' Favorite

Transatlantic Voyage is the ninth book of the J.C. van Winkler's Adventure Series by Jan Frazier about the journeys of J.C. and her ghost friend, Sergeant Smitty, who has magical powers that can transport him and J.C. anywhere in the world. In this adventure, the pair uses the Starlight Laser Express to travel to Europe at the time of the great potato famine in Ireland. Also aboard are two child stowaways who are destined to be under the protective care of Smitty and J.C., as they have important roles to play in the New World. The orphaned children have traveled to England in order to stowaway on the ship Perseverance bound for New York City. While on board, two other young stowaways are discovered, and Smitty must use his magical powers to protect the youngsters who are starving and near death. To add to the tension of a possible discovery of the stowaways, there is a murder on board, and this has J.C. trying to whomp up her best detective skills in order to figure out the murder.

Jan Frazier has a lovely and non-intrusive way of educating young students about the important aspects of history. She develops her characters such that the young reader wants to know more about the character, and in the process, history is infused along the way. I did think the murder was almost a nonessential event thrown in to try to create more intrigue, however. The book stands alone without it though, as the tale of hardship, famine and death is one which all students of history should learn. And what a lovely way to learn!