Pirate Island Treasure. (Orca Echoes). Marilyn Helmer. Illustrated by David Parkins. Victoria, BC: Orca, 2013. 54 pp., pbk., pdf & epub, $6.95 (pbk.) ISBN 978-1-4598-0165-3 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-4598-0166-0 (pdf), ISBN 978-1-4598-0519-4 (epub). Grades 2-4 / Age 7-9. Review by Kate Hachborn. *** /4 Reviewed from Advance Reading Copy.

excerpt:

“Wait.” Charlotte stopped. “If we’re going to look for pirate treasure, we have to have pirate names.”

Jacob spoke quickly, before Charlotte could choose first. “My name is Shark,” he growled in a pirate voice.

“I’m Patch Eye,” said Charlotte. “Captain Patch Eye, commander of the pirates.”

Jacob rolled his eyes. Leave it to Charlotte to take the best job, he thought.

“Grandpa, you need a name too,” said Charlotte.

Grandpa thought for a moment. “I’ll be Hawk,” he said.

Charlotte took the lead. “Shark and Hawk, follow Captain Patch Eye. We’re off to find pirate treasure.”

Jacob glared at Charlotte’s back. Sometimes Charlotte was the bossiest sister in the world.

Jacob and Charlotte are planning a day of adventure on Pirate Island with their grandpa and his boat, The Seawind. This brother and sister love to explore and tell stories, and both siblings have a vivid imagination as they search for pirate treasure; however, just because Charlotte and Jacob like similar things, does not mean they always get along. Charlotte is reluctant to share the treasure she finds with Jacob, and he is losing patience with his sister. When Charlotte crosses a line, will Jacob be able to forgive her?

     Part of the “Orca Echoes” series, Pirate Island Treasure has a linear plot with predictable and repetitive action. Helmer writes the relationship between Jacob and Charlotte with attention to the complexity of sibling rivalry; discussing jealousy, sharing, competition, promises and guilt. Pirate Island Treasure is useful as a story for character education, Helmer ensures that the children solve their own problems with little to no interference from their grandpa. New readers will enjoy the adventurous spirit of the characters, and more experienced readers will enjoy predicting what may happen next on Pirate Island.

     Marilyn Helmer is a Canadian author who has published five titles for the “Orca Echoes” series.

Recommended.

Kate Hachborn is a library technician at the W. Ross Macdonald School in Brantford, ON.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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