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'How I Became a Pirate'
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[APRIL
28, 2004]
"How
I Became a Pirate," written by Melinda Long, illustrated by David Shannon,
Harcourt Inc., 2003, 30 pages, ages 4-8.
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Review by Louella Moreland
Jeremy Jacobs is a normal boy
who just happens to know a great deal about pirates. How? It all
began one day as he was building a sand castle on the beach and a
pirate ship sailed into view. His family was so busy doing the
normal things families do at the beach that the pirates had landed
before Jeremy could warn them. So begins Melinda Long's newest book,
"How I Became a Pirate."
Although Jeremy is trying to
keep a low profile, the pirate captain (who has taken a wrong turn
at Bora Bora) asks him a question. Noticing that Jeremy has made a
fine sand castle, the captain proclaims him a "digger." Captain
Braid Beard needs a good digger, for he has treasure to bury.
Needless to say, Jeremy is taken along to do the task. That is how
he becomes a pirate. (Parents: I did have a problem with Jeremy
thinking it would be OK to go with pirates if he were home in time
for soccer practice. However, a concerned parent could point out
that this is a story that is not real, and again caution their child
never to go away with strangers.)
Jeremy soon learns all the
things that make it fun to be a pirate. (Pirates never have to say
"please" and "thank you," take a bath, or brush their teeth.) He
teaches the pirates to play soccer (until the ball is lost overboard
to a grinning shark.) Jeremy also learns when it is not so good to
lead a pirate's life. (There is no one to tuck him in bed, read him
books or tell him a storm would soon be over.)
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this review]
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 The story is full of pirate
talk, such as "Aargh!" and "Hey, ho, blow the man down!" The pirates
behave exactly as anyone would expect them to behave, and Jeremy is
all a boy of 7 years would be.
The real treasures in this book
are the illustrations! Pages and pages are filled with bright,
detailed drawings. Many will make both a young reader and an adult
laugh out loud. Each page brings a delight to the eye; each pirate
tells his life story in his appearance. Jeremy is a blue-eyed,
blonde charmer. Even the scrawny, snaggle-toothed cat wears a golden
ring in his ear. And did you ever wonder what is under a pirate's
eye patch?
A
reader will have a wonderful time as he or she journeys on this
pirate adventure. Come frolic the high seas with Jeremy and the
gang! Visit us at the library to check out this book and others
about pirates.
[Louella Moreland, youth services librarian,
Lincoln
Public Library District]
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