Passenger

Gr 9 Up—Etta Spencer plans to be a professional violinist, not knowing the big secret her mother has kept from her—Etta and her mother are the last survivors of a time-traveling family. Cyrus Ironwood believes that Etta is the only person who can find the valuable object he seeks. And so he sends her traveling through space and time to land on a ship. Nicholas Carter is the illegitimate child of an Ironwood and one of their former slaves. He wants only a ship and life of his own. When Nicholas is forced to make an agreement with Ironwood to travel with Etta to find the priceless astrolabe, he doesn't expect to fall for her. The two must find the astrolabe to save Etta's mother, but giving it to Ironwood could destroy their future. Saskia Maarleveld accurately shows all of the characters' personalities. Her voice's breathy quality captures the action and suspense of the narrative, drawing listeners into the story, and Bracken's cliff-hanger ending and surprise twist will leave listeners anxious for the next installment.