<p>This tale from Newbery Medal-winning author Walter D. Edmonds is based on a story found in Lydia Maria Child’s <i>Letters from New York</i>.</p><p>An adventuresome youth determined to travel the world Tom Whipple leaves his mother in New York and signs up for sea duty on a ship bound for Russia. As he sails he makes up his mind to see the czar—and to present him with a gift.</p>