Harper Collins 2001

Sailing to Atlantis is a novel written by Janeen Webb, published in Australia by HarperCollins in 2001. This fantasy adventure story introduces the reader to Cynthia Lee Mariner, the main character.

She is a young girl with long black hair, blue eyes and pale skin, who lives with both parents by a beach called Redhead Beach. Her hobby is wind-surfing.

One morning, after a great summer storm, Cynthia finds a strange ruby-coloured glass bottle which has rolled on to the beach. She uncorks it and releases a powerful genie - King Sinbad. He gives her a ring to turn three times while speaking his name when Cynthia wants to summon him. She is also given three wishes. Her first wish is to sail the Seven Seas. Her second wish is to visit Atlantis. Her third wish is to visit Xanadu.

And so she embarks on wild and magical adventures, full of peril. An adventure where she meets beautiful mermaids, comes face to face with a dangerous whirl-pool, falls down a waterfall, travels the riddling passages under mountains, and much more! In the end, Cynthia gains another three wishes after helping Sinbad to become immortal so he can be with his love, Alessa, the mermaid, who is also immortal.

I really enjoyed reading Sailing to Atlantis and I found it hard to put down. I recommend this book for Years 6 and 7 children who like fantasy. The cover is well drawn with rich illustrations. Sailing to Atlantis is Janeen Webb's first novel for young adults and also the first book of The Sinbad Chronicles. I look forward to reading the next books in this series.