Young and orphaned, Tom Pippin has just been sold by his greedy uncle to the captain of a great sailing ship bound for America. Although Tom has been sold into slavery, no one can buy or sell his unwavering spirit. Tom longs to be free on the shores of America, but when a pirates ship captures his boat, the young boys life changes forever. Pirate Captain Land and his motley crew of men reveal to Tom all of the secretsand dangersof the pirates life. Peter Burchards black and white drawings throughout illustrate Toms journey.