Dorothy B. Francis
Captain Morgana Mason
language
(Dorothy Brenner Francis July 11, 2010)
Captain Morgana Mason is a young girl living in Key West, Florida, who becomes the "captain" of the family sponge boat by default when her grandfather has a heart attack and is forced to take to his bed. It is a challenge for the young lady, and her younger brother, who feel abandoned by their mother and are desperate to hold things together for their family by succeeding at sponging. Morgana and her brother Seth grow up a few notches during the summer, and learn that things and people are not always as they seem.
-- Reviews --
"Morgana, age 13, and her younger brother Seth, must assume many adult responsibilities when their grandfather, with whom they live, becomes ill and is unable to continue his sponge fishing business. Grandfather’s housekeeper keeps telling Morgana to have confidence in herself and trust her own intuition and everything will be all right. This is an excellent character sketch of a young girl’s doubts and resolutions. It is also a very good description of the area and way of living on Florida’s West Coast."
Elaine Haynes, Southwestern Ohio Young Adult Materials Review Group
"A clear picture of sponge fishing is given. Also the ability of 12 and 13 year olds to accept responsibility and act is clearly pointed out. The plot is well done and characters completely believable."
R. Louise Roth, Lakeland, Florida School District, I.U. #19
"This story is outstanding in plot organization, character development, and description, helping readers build a positive attitude. Morgana and Seth live with their grandfather, a sponger. When he becomes ill, they try to run the sponge business. He dies after imparting his philosophy of life."
Librarian, Northeast Area Media Examination Center, Kingston, PA.
"The illness of her grandfather forces thirteen-year-old Morgana and her younger brother, to carry on his sponge diving business in Florida. The story has a lot of local color and unusual characters, as well as a believable and thought provoking solution."
Ingeborg Uncia, Eastern Washington University, Spokane, WA
"It is important for children to develop a more global look at their world and to realize there are many young people who exist with different customs in different cultures. Yet, they must also understand that human emotions are universal among people and something that we share in common. Very nice job of accomplishing the above stated concepts."
Rebecca Jesinski, District Media Center, Osseo, Minnesota.
Awards:
- Listed as one of New York's 1983 Children's Books of the Year.
- Selected as "Best Children’s Book of 1983 Incorporating Florida Background and History" by the Florida State Historical Society
-- Reviews --
"Morgana, age 13, and her younger brother Seth, must assume many adult responsibilities when their grandfather, with whom they live, becomes ill and is unable to continue his sponge fishing business. Grandfather’s housekeeper keeps telling Morgana to have confidence in herself and trust her own intuition and everything will be all right. This is an excellent character sketch of a young girl’s doubts and resolutions. It is also a very good description of the area and way of living on Florida’s West Coast."
Elaine Haynes, Southwestern Ohio Young Adult Materials Review Group
"A clear picture of sponge fishing is given. Also the ability of 12 and 13 year olds to accept responsibility and act is clearly pointed out. The plot is well done and characters completely believable."
R. Louise Roth, Lakeland, Florida School District, I.U. #19
"This story is outstanding in plot organization, character development, and description, helping readers build a positive attitude. Morgana and Seth live with their grandfather, a sponger. When he becomes ill, they try to run the sponge business. He dies after imparting his philosophy of life."
Librarian, Northeast Area Media Examination Center, Kingston, PA.
"The illness of her grandfather forces thirteen-year-old Morgana and her younger brother, to carry on his sponge diving business in Florida. The story has a lot of local color and unusual characters, as well as a believable and thought provoking solution."
Ingeborg Uncia, Eastern Washington University, Spokane, WA
"It is important for children to develop a more global look at their world and to realize there are many young people who exist with different customs in different cultures. Yet, they must also understand that human emotions are universal among people and something that we share in common. Very nice job of accomplishing the above stated concepts."
Rebecca Jesinski, District Media Center, Osseo, Minnesota.
Awards:
- Listed as one of New York's 1983 Children's Books of the Year.
- Selected as "Best Children’s Book of 1983 Incorporating Florida Background and History" by the Florida State Historical Society
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