Seven Dead Pirates

(Paperback)

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Description

A shy boy comes to life and finds his voice when the ghosts of seven dead pirates appear in his bedroom. A humorous, inspiring, critically acclaimed adventure! Lewis Dearborn is a lonely, anxious, "terminally shy" boy of eleven when his great-grandfather passes away and leaves Lewis's family with his decaying seaside mansion. Lewis is initially delighted with his new bedroom, a secluded tower in a remote part of the house. Then he discovers that it's already occupied -- by the ghosts of seven dead pirates. Worse, the ghosts expect him to help them re-take their ship, now restored and on display in a local museum, so they can make their way to Libertalia, a legendary pirate utopia. The only problem is that this motley crew hasn't left the house in almost two hundred years and is terrified of going outside. As Lewis warily sets out to assist his new roommates -- a raucous, unruly bunch who exhibit a strange delight in thrift-store fashions and a thirst for storybooks -- he begins to open himself to the possibilities of friendship, passion and joie de vivre and finds the courage to speak up.

Reviews

Bailey endows Lewis with several scene-stealing allies (notably a fierce kindergartener) and leaves him confidently steering a course toward calm waters. Piratical fun well-stocked with colorful cast members living and arrghh. -Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews


This rollicking tale moves apace with a vivid setting, surprising depth, great humor, and memorable characters. Readers will root for Lewis as he finds his sea legs and the courage to make friends, both spectral and human. VERDICT Ahoy, ye maties: dont miss this treasure of a middle grade yarn.- Starred Review, School Library Journal


It is Baileys extraordinary skill as a storyteller that keeps the entire fantastical premise, and its meaningful undercurrent, from ever straying into the unbelievable. Seven Dead Pirates is a story that flows almost like magic.... At times earnest, at times playful, and always infused with the power of imagination, Seven Dead Pirates is a rollicking and exciting story that will entertain and enlighten in equal amounts. -CM Magazine


The larger-than-life (afterlife) pirates are the perfect foil to introverted Lewis. Bailey paints them with broad strokes, but her caricatures are filled with a whole lotta heart. Its unlikely that every shy kid will have seven dead pirates at their disposal to teach them how to believe in themselves, but they can have Baileys book, which is a pretty nice alternative. -National Post


I enjoyed this story right from the startone of the best openings I have read in a long timeLewis tackles his problems and wins my affection as a true hero moving on his journey... I give this story a five out of possible five.
-Midwest Book Review

Author Bio

LINDA BAILEY is the author of more than two dozen books for children, including the Stevie Diamond mystery series, the Good Times Travel Agency graphic novels, and an eclectic assortment of picture books including When Santa Was a Baby, If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur and the acclaimed Stanley's Party. She has won awards across North America such as the California Young Readers' Medal, the Georgia Storybook Award, the Ontario Blue Spruce and Silver Birch Awards, the Oregon SMART Award and the Arthur Ellis Award from the Crime Writers of Canada. Born in Winnipeg, Linda has now traveled around the world, and so have her books. She has two grown daughters, Lia and Tess, and lives in Vancouver within strolling distance of the sea. The author lives in Vancouver, BC.