'Alfred Wellers' is a beautifully written, heart-warming story of a young boy who takes his future into his own hands when he leaves on a ship set to sail for the new world. Along the way he has to endure the terrifying storms and the incompetent crew of the ship. He later runs from it and makes his home with nature and near the natives, taking on a whole new set of challenges.
Jerry Beller makes you feel as if you are right there alongside Alfred Weller, with detailed world building in tune to the year 1609, and memorable characters who come to life right off of the page. This is easily one of my favorite historical fiction novels of the year.