This is an adventure story with pirates, cannibals, a shipwreck and lost treasure which begins with Charlotte, our heroine, being brought up in an appalling orphanage. Charlotte, or Lotty as we know her, tells us about the orphanage run by Miss Thumble, and how horrible and difficult life is there for the children.

Aged 12, she is cast out and sent to work for Mr and Mrs Harrison as Mrs Harrison's lady's maid, and sets sail with them on the Dorchester later that same day.

Mrs Harrison has a little dog called Mr Jacks who Lotty must look after during the trip. Unfortunately the Dorchester is wrecked and Lotty and Mr Jacks eventually wash up on an island where they encounter pirates and cannibals, and Lotty makes a life-changing discovery.

How Lotty copes with her new circumstances is beautifully and imaginatively told, and I think this story should appeal to both girls and boys, around 8 and 12 years old, with a taste for adventure and a liking for friendly pirates.

My thanks to author Suzanne Lowe for a free digital copy of this book to review. ( )