It is not the money. It is the ships. I must build ships. But no one wants them now." Cornelia Meigs captures the excitement of great-ship building in the Massachusetts shipyards of the late 18th century and paints an entertaining picture of life in the newly-formed United States. Can Nicholas Drury bring them through the post-Revolution depression? This historical fiction novel was awarded the 1929 Newbery Honor book distinction for best children's literature published in the U.S. and holds interest for adults as well as youth. - Summary by Lynette Caulkins