The Wanderer by Sharon Creech

Young Sophie joins a surly crew of her three uncles and two cousins on a tireless and physical and emotional journey across the Atlantic as they seek their places in the world--and Sophie unlocks the secrets to her past. - SBCL

The story unfolds in journal entry form, alternating between the voices of orphan Sophie and her cousin Cody. Readers join Sophie on an ocean journey across the Atlantic from Connecticut to her new home in England. With the help of her new family of uncles and cousins, Sophie learns to deal with her pain while she bond and builds respect for the others on the voyage. - CDE