Determined to fulfill his new role as provider for his family, though still young and inexperienced, Paul Duncan has a plan that will require extreme dedication. Is his new plan a mere fanciful dream or will it lay the foundation for the rest of his life? Facing incalculable risk, Paul must convince his protective mother to agree that a life on the sea is his way for the future. However, the sea is not for the inexperienced, and takes no prisoners.

Having gained some early skills passed down by his father, Paul is able to manage his small sailboat as long as he stays close to the shore. Both literally and figuratively, staying close to the shore will determine the success of Paul’s future. In this exciting drama, readers will find themselves shouting out to Paul to return to the shore. As peer pressure mounts, you’ll want to cry out, “You’ve won, Paul, there’s nothing else to prove,” and you’ll hope he turns back before it’s too late! And just when you thought that the drama couldn’t get more intense, you may want to close the book in fear of what might happen next!

Amid mutiny, tragedy, defeat, and victory, Paul learns the important lesson that roadblocks and setbacks are the foundation for greater responsibility and opportunity. As he becomes faithful in small things, he is trusted with greater things. But with that trust comes opposition and testing. 

Paul must wrestle not only with an ominous storm, strong gales, and tumultuous waves, but also with a defiant, mutinous crew—including his younger brother! On a perilous course of impending shipwreck, dense fog looms as the ship heads helplessly toward the rocks. What will it take for these reckless boys to come to their senses? 

This gripping story demonstrates the beauty of family life lived well and the rewards realized when submitting to authority with virtue, vigor, valor, and vision—little by little.