"When Owen's parents leave him on his own for a week, the sixteen-year-old gets bored and hatches a crazy idea: sneaking on to the yacht that's visiting the sleepy Pacific Coast island where he lives, and stowing away on an adventure! Once on board the vessel, though, Owen quickly finds out this is anything but innocent fun. The ship is packed with teenagers from Central America, and it looks like Owen has stumbled into a people-smuggling operation. The uninvited guest begins to feel like a closely watched prisoner. Complications pile up, and as things head from bad to worse, a haunting incident from Owen's past tightens its grip on him. There's only one way to break free and make his way home. Owen and the first mate, Arturo - a former street kid - must work together to commandeer the boat and win the trust of those on board. But who's friend and who's foe in the shifting tides? Both Owen and Arturo learn to redefine family and trust by the end of their adventure."--Provided by publisher.

Red Maple nominee, 2020.