The Book of Pirates

February 1, 2011

Gr 5-10-This delightful book, written partly in pirate dialect, is full of creative activities, interspersed with plenty of fascinating historical facts. Constructing a foundation for the intrigue to come, the introduction defines piracy. The opening chapter is a true-or-false account of some of the many well-known myths about pirates: that they wore boots, eye patches, hooks, peg legs, etc. Subsequently, the authors discuss the origins and history of these rogues, the lives of famous pirates (including females), rules and codes and behavior, and present-day piracy. Those planning to attend an event as a pirate can follow the instructions for proper attire, along with diagrams and directions for makeup and the construction of a foam cutlass (ask Mom or Dad to help...). Jokes, games, songs, and a recipe for making cannonballs (from peanut butter) add to the fun. Though the activities will appeal to elementary students, the format, dense text, font size, and vocabulary seem more appropriate for an older audience. Black-and-white drawings, maps, and diagrams appear throughout, and numerous dusty mauve text boxes and page inserts create the look of an aging book. A glossary of pirate terms and a copious index are included. This title has a lot to offer; it just might have trouble finding its audience.-Susan Shaver, Hemingford Public Schools, NE

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.