Fifteen-year-old Ralph, mischievous young Peterkin and clever, brave Jack are shipwrecked on a coral reef with only a telescope and a broken pocketknife between them. At first the island seems a paradise,...

'The Life of a Ship' is a classic adventure tale about a young boy named Davy who has always dreamt about going to sea and living the life of an fearless fisherman. A perfect escape from the drudgery...

Miles Milton is a stubborn and strong-willed young man, determined to join the army as soon as he can, much to his father's horror. The pair often clash over the matter and one day, following a particularly...

First published in 1882 'The Giant of the North' is an imaginative children's adventure tale from prolific Scottish author R.M. Ballantyne. Captain Vane, along with his son Benjamin and nephews Leo and...

First published in 1891, 'The Coxswain's Bride' by prolific author R.M. Ballantyne tells the story of Sturdy Bob – otherwise known as 'Handsome Bob' by the ladies of his local seaside village of Greyton....

When John Mellon encounters a stray dog whilst out walking one day his first feeling is one of distrust, and his first instinct is to chase it away. It doesn't take long for John to fall in love with...

Gold fever is sweeping America, and young Englishman Ned Sinton is keen to reach America, join the gold rush, and seek his fortune. Ned faces plenty of obstacles along the way, including a perilous sea...

Mischievous young Martin Rattler is desperate for a life at sea. When he finds himself on board the 'Firefly' he can't quite believe his luck, and soon falls in with young Barney O'Flannagan. There is...

When Cheenbuk met an Indian, all that prevented a fight between the two of them was Cheenbuk's limited knowledge of the Indian language. However, when their respective tribes got wind of their interaction,...

Successful London merchant Mr John Sudberry has decided to take his family and three of his servants away on a holiday to the Scottish Highlands. Plenty of beautiful walks, rowing and fishing trips, and...

March Manson spends his days hunting buffalo, travelling, and learning about the wild west. He sets on on a journey with his best friend Bob Bounce to explore the rocky mountains. When he encounters a...

In 'Over the Rocky Mountains' readers are reunited with charismatic hero Will Osten, whose adventures began in the 1869 adventure story 'Sunk at Sea'. Following the death of his father, Will has returned...

A mysterious man known as the Sandal Wood trader pays a visit to a remote group of settlers living on a small island in the Pacific. Though he insists he is a harmless trader and nothing more, many of...

Talented artist Frank Allfrey is forced to grow up fast when he is orphaned and sent to live with an aloof uncle, who cares little for his artistic passion. Instead, he sends Frank away to California...

Young Dr. Oliver Trembath has arrived in the small mining town of St. Just, in Cornwall, where he learns about the tin and copper mines of the area and meets those who have worked them for generations....

'A Double Rescue' is a short story that reads in stark contrast to the adventure writing, which Ballantyne is most notorious for. It is an evangelistic tale of a blithe young boy named Jack Matterby who...

Young student Jack is high-spirited, impulsive, and prone to rash decisions. When his father writes to him to explain that he has run out of money, Jack decides to join the gnarly old seafarer Captain...

A departure from his usual style, 'Six Months at the Cape' is an adventurous account by author R.M. Ballantyne of a traveller's experiences in South Africa. Through a series of letters to a lady known...

'Fast in the Ice' follows the tale of a group of Arctic explorers, whose ship 'Hope' is caught fast in the winter ice of the Arctic. The group must wait out the worst of the cold in the most inhospitable...

Author R.M Ballantyne was born in Edinburgh, into a well-known family of printers and publishers. The ninth of ten children, it wasn't long after his birth that his father's family business, 'Ballantyne...

First published in 1887, 'The Big Otter' by prolific author R.M. Ballantyne is one of many of his stories which draws on his own experiences of living and working in remote parts of Canada as a young...

First published in 1858 'Handbook to the New Gold-Fields' is a fascinating guide by prolific author R.M. Ballantyne to the land of California following the initial gold rush there. In it he describes...

Kindly Mr Twitter comes across an abandoned baby one night on his way home from work. The child has been left there for him to find by a desperate, poverty-stricken woman named Mrs Frog, who hopes for...

First published in 1880 'Post Haste' is a fascinating story by prolific children's author R.M. Ballantyne, set during the early days of the general post office. Still in its infancy, sending a letter...

Black Ivory is a story about two English castaways that shockingly find themselves amidst a group of truly loathsome slave traders. Although the cast of this narrative is entirely fictional, the numerous...

'Erling the Bold' is an historical Viking adventure story by prolific children's author R.M. Ballantyne. Erling is the son of King Haldor of Horlingdal. When the peace of their land is threatened, Erling...

'Away in the Wilderness' is a classic for young readers. Adults are also bound to enjoy this novel as a semi-biographical adventure tale set in the wilderness in the latter half of the 19th Century.A...

Fred Temple is a hard-working young man who has quickly risen through the ranks of his father's business. When not working at the family business, Fred has a passion for the outdoors and outdoor pursuits,...

The Red River Settlement is home to many Indians, French-Canadians, and Scotsmen. Charlie Kennedy lives at Red River with his ex fur-trader father. In an attempt to convince Charlie to lead a more sensible...

A fierce November storm is raging, and before long a ship finds itself in difficulty just offshore. Captain Boyns and his son Harry hurry to help rescue the stricken crew and take in a young girl, Annie,...