Jules Verne 
Dick Sand 
A Captain at Fifteen

Although French science fiction innovator Jules Verne is best known for fantastical tales such as Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Journey to the Center of the Earth, he also wrote a number of fast-paced action-adventure stories. Dick Sand: A Captain at Fifteen falls into this category, following the protagonist of the title through an around the world whaling trip that goes horribly wrong.