  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 02/15/2011 After her mother’s death, 15-year-old Catherine declares that she wants to disguise herself as a boy and join her father, the captain of a pirate ship, on his next voyage. He agrees reluctantly, warning that “a female on a ship can only be disaster.” Though there are villains aboard, Catherine (now called Charlie) finds friends as well, and she falls into the rhythm of shipboard life. When her secret is discovered, though, disaster strikes again and again. The first-person narrative reads smoothly. A subplot of hidden treasure runs through the story, motivating the best and worst in the men aboard the ship. Readers looking for rollicking pirate adventures may want to look elsewhere, for though Catherine finds adventure and romance aboard the ship, the story’s frequently dark tone is more in keeping with realistic piracy than the cheerful, choreographed swashbuckling familiar to moviegoers. Still, this historical novel delivers action, intrigue, and mild romance while hinting that a sequel may follow. - Copyright 2011 Booklist. School Library Journal - 03/01/2011 Gr 6–8—When 15-year-old Catherine's mother dies, she cajoles her father, a pirate ship's captain, to take her along on his impending three-month voyage. In exchange, she promises to live as a boy and never reveal her true gender (bad luck on a pirate ship). She immediately feels threatened by the roguish crew, especially when she learns that two of the shadier characters are after a treasure her father has hidden in their home. The 15-year-old cabin boy, Will, who learns her secret, tries in vain to protect her from the bullying and threats of the most menacing pirates. But bad weather, bad luck, treachery, and tragedy arrive together and create a life-and-death dilemma for Catherine and Will. After they are marooned on an island, their growing love keeps them hopeful for a chance at life together if they are lucky enough to be rescued. Bunting's pirates have every known stereotype including a peg leg, an eye patch, and a pet parrot (there is even an Arrgh! thrown in), and the vernacular in the dialogue is straight from a Popeye cartoon. But the pacing and the coming-of-age angst keep the story skipping along to a satisfying, if predictable ending. Chapter titles featuring the Jolly Roger hovering over Blackadder script are a nice touch.—Karen Elliott, Grafton High School, WI - Copyright 2011 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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