The Voyage of the Entdecker: Book One of the Archipelago Series in Bloomington, MN

Rob Engleman has spent all of his seventeen years on a small island, safe from the dangers of the alien world around him. Yet he is not content to live the simple life of an island farmer. When a mysterious boat is found drifting near his island, Rob will take the opportunity it presents him to leave his home and venture into the menacing unknown.
Accompanied by his older brother and his friends, Rob's journey to discover the world beyond his island will lead him to discover hidden treasures of the past and the true value of love and friendship.
But there are more dangers than just those in the sea. An ambitious empire, bent on domination, threatens the freedom of his island. Rob must decide whether to follow his dream of traveling the world or go to war to defend his home.