The Passage of Jamie Quill

Spine-tingling suspense aboard the Titanic’s sister ship as an orphan tries to escape his criminal uncle by pulling one last con—posing as a first-class passenger.

Twelve-year-old Jamie has never wanted to steal anything. But after the tragic death of his grandma, his conniving pickpocket uncle is the only family he has—even if Uncle is nothing like family at all. As much as he hates thievery, it’s his only way out. If he’s going to escape to freedom in America, he’ll need the funds to start a new life. And in order to get those funds, he’ll have to do exactly what Uncle demands—pretending to be a posh, first class boy aboard the White Star Line RMS Olympic. 

Jamie is anything but the wealthy boy he’s pretending to be. He’s starving, for one, and it’s hard to get close to people you’re going to rob. But when he accidentally steals the diary of a boy his age—a real first class boy, the kind he can never truly become—he starts an unlikely friendship that could change both of their lives forever. As long as Jamie doesn’t get caught. 

Rendered with warmth and immersive historical detail, Kate Albus’ latest middle grade is an unforgettable tale of the transformative power of kindness.