The novel, illustrated by Maginel Wright Barney, was first published in 1927 and was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1928.

[1] The story is set in Nantucket, Massachusetts shortly after the War of 1812, and deals with the unlikely friendship between a Quaker girl, Dencey Coffyn, and Jetsam, the adopted son of the town drunk.

However, Dencey refused to part ways with Jetsam leading her mother to banish her to her room with only bread and water as punishment.

Nevertheless, the friendship grew even stronger to the point where Jetsam saved Dencey's life from a deadly storm.

Afterwards, he gained favor with Dencey's family who adopted him and helped him to transform into an admirable young man.