His father had written to Raleigh: "As you've heard, Andrew will be twelve next birthday. He is strong, healthy, tall for his age, steady. He has good teeth. He can read and speak English, Latin and French. He knows numbers and writes a fair hand. He finishes school this spring."

Andrew's goal is to go to America, but he has to pass several important tests to prove his worth before being able to accompany Raleigh's mission to the New World. He learns many new things from his tutors in London and then is required to serve as a spy and travel to France to steal a map, among other dangerous trials. Andrew becomes friends with two Indians who had been brought from America to show off to the Queen and the populace, and they will accompany the expedition to Virginia, from whence they originated.

The New World is not what they expect. Winter is coming quickly, and food is scarce, since their main supply ship met with bad luck, and much of the expedition's resources were sunk in the bay. The Indians do not have enough to share, and the expedition's hardships are extreme. Andrew befriends Sky, an Indian boy, and they share many good and bad times before Sky accompanies Andrew on the return to England.

Alan Armstrong won the Newbery Honor Award for his previous novel, Whittington, and will no doubt receive multiple nominations for Raleigh's Page. Armstrong has created a collection of fascinating characters and portrayed the personalities of historical characters according to their reputations. His extensive research and richly detailed narration really gives us a close up and personal look at the life of a young man in Elizabeth's time. With the settling of Jamestown reaching its 300th birthday in 2006, this is a timely subject in a fast-moving, realistic adventure. The hardships and danger the settlers faced make this a very exciting story, and one that will hold the attention of even reluctant readers. The expressive illustrations by Tim Jessell add visual impact to the story. This one is a good choice to add to your library.