Ocean-born Mary was a real person. She was born in mid-ocean, while her parents, a young Scotch-Irish couple, were voyaging to America in 1720. Shortly after her birth, the ship was captured by pirates. The sight of the new-born babe so moved the pirate captain that he named the baby Mary and allowed the immigrant band to proceed on its voyage unharmed. The child grew up to be called Ocean-Born Mary.

Lois Lenski came upon this colorful New England legend, traced its historic origins with zest and delight and has written an absorbing story around this fascinating character. It is a dramatic tale, rich in flavor and humor and valuable for its true picture of old Portsmouth and the surrounding New Hampshire country fifty years before the American Revolution.

This book seems to Miss Lenski's Publishers the best and most delightful she has written to date, with even stronger appeal to boys and girls than her well-loved Phebe Fairchild, Her Book, A-Going to the Westward and Bound Girl of Cobble Hill.

The illustrations, too, are outstanding for their freedom, vigor, and beauty.

From the dust jacket