Friday, September 19, 2014

ARRGH! Stacey R. Campbell

Since today is National Talk Like a Pirate Day, I thought this would be a good day to review this book.  You feel like going on a pirate cruise with me?

Gemelli Press and Net Galley gave the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you).  It is coming out today, so check with your local bookstore for a copy.

Christopher has lost his parents and is hoping to escape from the orphanage they placed him in.  All they do is make pickled herring and it stinks and doesn't taste good.  When he finds an opportunity to scoot, he does.  He has the worst luck, though.  He gets nabbed by a couple of pirates.

The pirates are on board of a regular trade goods ship and they have heard there might be a gun load going out on it.  The Captain tries to get out of transporting the guns, but the Admiral makes him take them.  The pirates introduce Christopher as the nephew of one of them.  Then they put him to work and don't feed him.  It's a good thing he meets this mouse.  It just so happens that mouse is a human guide and he can talk to Christopher.  He brings him cheese, an apple and some bread.  You see, there's a monkey in the kitchen and he can supply the mouse with food.

With these characters and Captain's daughter, this book caught my heart.  Christopher is smart and manages to make the most of being stuck on "deserted" island.  He and the Captain's daughter are safe and doing fine until they find out the pirates are on the other side of the island.  How can she, he, a monkey and a mouse save the Captain and his men?  By being inventive and trying hard is how.

This is a fast read with lots of action and lots of fun despite the pirates.  Here's nice addition to any middle school library.

Arrgh!  Get a copy now!

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