James Otis

The Navy Boys on Lake Ontario James Otis

The Navy Boys was a popular series which offered children adventure stories, often with a historical background. Author James Otis, was actually James Otis Kaler. He was born on March 19, 1848 in Winterport, Maine. He worked as a journalist, including covering the Civil War. He worked a variety of positions, including marketing for circuses. Ultimately, he became a well respected and prolific children's author. It is believed he wrote over two hundred books, either under James Otis, or Walter Morris, Lt. James K. Orton, Harry Prentice, and Amy Prentice. His wife, Amy L. Scamman, wrote some of the works. In 1898, he moved back to Maine and served as a school superintendent. He died on December 11, 1912.