The Floating Island: The Lost Journals of Van Polypheme by Elizabeth Haydon 368 p. (Ven Polypheme Website)

Hang onto your hat as you enter the fantastic world of Ven Polypheme, thirteenth child in a shipbuilding family of Nains (human-like beings who live four times longer than people). Ven is inspecting a new vessel during its maiden voyage when it is beset by pirates, and he sinks both his ship and theirs. After being rescued by a merrow (mermaid), Ven is befriended by a sea captain, and visits a floating island with a magical spring...all the while fighting evil and making a variety of strange friends.