Under the High Mast

I know Stoop is sabotaging me. But why?

Pittsburgh 1836.

Thirteen-year-old Andy lives with his foster parents, the Conners, who took him in after his mother died. He works hard, carving wooden pegs called trunnels at a boat building company near the Monongahela River. Andy wants to learn everything he can about the boat building business and has high hopes of being promoted. He may be the youngest there but is one of the hardest workers. When his boss and another worker seem out to get him, Andy knows something suspicious is going on. It's up to him to reveal the shenanigans happening at the boat building company and restore his honor.

While dealing with problems at the boatyard and his foster father's harshness at home, Andy also attempts to uncover the mystery of Phillip Smith. Smith seems to have dropped into Andy's life out of nowhere, coming to board with the Conners while he claims to be working in the shipbuilding business. But is Smith who he says he is? And why is he really here?

Who can Andy believe? Who can he trust? Andy discovers strength and courage he never knew he had but now needs to uncover the truth and bring it to light.