Pirates & Privateers: Books for Pirate Apprentices -- Mystery

Caribbean Capers
by Joan & Marco Santomenna
WindSpirit Publishing, 2003, ISBN 0-9643407-2-0, US $9.95

Brian and his father journey to the Virgin Islands for a sailing adventure that will bring them closer together now that Brian's mother has died. Buzz, the captain's son, bridges the cultural and racial differences to make friends with Brian. The two teenagers embark on a series of adventures that span two summers.

Contrary to the title of the first story, "The Brotherhood of Pirates," the boys don't encounter real pirates in their adventures. Instead, they stumble upon a ring of thieves who steal from the many sailboats and ships that travel the Caribbean. The story moves at a fast clip and contains a lot of suspense teenage boys will enjoy: injured hikers, abandoned forts, adrift at sea without supplies.

The better of the two stories is "Kidnapped in the Caribbean." Brian returns to the Virgin Islands for a fun-filled summer aboard Buzz's father's boat, but no one's aboard to greet him. He discovers Eric, a young stowaway, who's trying to escape from would-be kidnappers! Brian soon reunites with Buzz and Sammy, another teen who's come to their aid before. As the boys elude the kidnappers, they encounter intrigue, political unrest, hidden slave hideaways, and a nuclear submarine.

Intended for boys in their early teens, Caribbean Capers captures the reader's imagination while instilling in them the values of cooperation, friendship, and acceptance. Anyone who's ever felt out of place or different will immediately identify with Sammy, while those who've experienced unexpected danger will sympathize with Eric's plight. Brian and Buzz grow and develop as the stories progress and while their adventures seem unbelievable, the reader will remain on the edge of his seat waiting to see what happens next.

Pirate's Passage
by William Gilkerson
Trumpeter Books for Young Readers, 2006, ISBN 1-59030-247-8, US $17.95 / CAN $25.95

A fierce storm blows along the coast of Nova Scotia one dreary mid-November afternoon in 1952. Twelve-year-old Jim sits in his room overlooking the bay, trying to work on his school essay on pirates while his mother works downstairs in the family hotel, which has fallen on hard times. Outside, an unexpected sailboat docks at the pier. Captain Charles Johnson asks to stay the winter while repairs are made to his vessel. There is an aura of mystery to this stranger, but he soon weaves his way into the lives of those at the inn and the townspeople. His down-to-earth tales of pirates captivate Jim, but sometimes, Jim senses something sinister in the captain. Still, he helps Jim and his mother out of several jams, including the loss of their home, the rescue of their cannon, and thwarting the town bullies.

Pirate’s Passage is reminiscent of Treasure Island, but with a modern-day setting. Told in the first person, Jim intersperses episodes of his life with his encounters and friendship with Captain Johnson, a man who seems to have intimate knowledge about pirates, as if he has lived amongst them. That’s impossible! Somewhat a coming-of-age novel, it is also a history of piracy, although most of the information is delivered in dialogue rather than in action scenes. Adventure and intrigue go hand-in-hand with self-discovery, making this a laid-back tale of pirates, friends, and making choices.

Meet the author

Cover Art: Pirates Don't Wear
Pink Sunglasses

Pirates Don’t Wear Pink Sunglasses
by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones
illustrated by John Steven Gurney
Scholastic, 1994, ISBN 0-590-47298-4, US $3.99 / CAN $5.50

The students of Bailey Elementary School find themselves once again at Camp Lone Wolf. Liza, Melody, Howie, and Eddie are certain their counselor, Mr. Jenkins, is a werewolf. They’re equally sure that they’ll never win the annual boat race against the Sheldon Sharks. Mr. Jenkins has hired a racing coach, Captain Teach, who wears pink sunglasses, has a black beard, and walks around with a talking parrot on his shoulder!

This summer the camp looks even more rundown than it did last time they visited. Before long, they discover that this may well be Camp Lone Wolf’s last days. The owners want to sell it to a company that wants to build a mall! No more birds chirping. No more trees swaying. Setting aside their fears, the kids want to prevent the sale, but what can they do?

Captain Teach tells them the story of Molly the Red, a fierce pirate who buries her treasure in 1718, and no one has found it to this very day. If Liza, Melody, Howie, and Eddie can find the treasure, they can save the camp. The hunt begins, but they soon discover they aren’t the only ones searching for the hidden booty! Will they find it in time? Will they escape the clutches of the real pirate in their midst? Will Bailey Elementary finally win the boat race?

I confess the title is what caught my attention. Pink sunglasses are about the last thing I think of when discussing pirates. This wonderful adventure captured my attention from the first page to the last. Number 9 in The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids series, this book mixes attention-grabbing creatures – like werewolves, pirates, and parrots – with normal everyday kids and activities. The result is a combustible tale of intrigue and humor that will have you smiling and gasping with each new revelation. Perfect for reading aloud while camping or for acting out as a play.