Skinner, Nicola

"Kirsten, an apparently happy and successful 11-year-old YouTube star, meets a ship that comes alive. . .and is claimed by it as its new captain as it breaks free from its dry dock. Inspired by the true history of the SS Great Britain, 'Starboard' is about the friendship, heroism and bravery that you can find in others, whether they're made of flesh or iron. It's about taking control of your own life and going on epic adventures. But most of all, it's about finding out who you really dare to be, when you're completely out of your depth"--Provided by publisher.

Iris Fallowfield lives with her mother in a sad little cottage. Iris is so good at following the rules that when teachers need help remembering the school rules, they come to her. But when Iris discovers a strange packet of seeds under a tree in her backyard, that all changes. She's hearing voices, seeing things, and then flowers begin to grow out of her head. As plants begin to sprout from the heads of other people in town, Iris discovers the truth about her town and tries to change things for the better.

"Sorrel Fallowfield is so good at being good that teachers come to her when they need help remembering the school rules--and there are lots. Luckily, Sorrel doesn't have any trouble following them, until the day she discovers a faded packet of Surprising Seeds buried under a tree in her backyard. Now she's hearing voices, seeing things, experiencing an almost unstoppable urge to plant the Seeds in some very unusual places...and completely failing to win her school's competition to find The Most Obedient Child of the School. And all that's before flowers start growing out of her head"--Amazon.com.