Young Adult Fiction — Review

Beware, Pirates!

by Frieda Wishinsky
Maple Tree Press, 2007
ISBN 13: 978-1-897066-80-5
$6.95, 96 pp, ages 6 – 9
www.mapletreepress.com

Beware Pirates! is the first in a new series of time travel stories for young readers from Maple Tree Press. After Emily and Matt meet outside Emily’s new home, they explore the spooky tower in the old house and find a note from Emily’s great-aunt saying, “To Emily, The sled is yours. Fly it to wonderful adventures. Love, Great-aunt Miranda.” Then they find an old red wooden sled with Canadian Flyer painted on it. When they climb on the sled, words appear: “Rub the leaf three times fast, Soon you’ll fly to the past.” Of course they do, and soon find themselves aboard Martin Frobisher’s ship in the far north. Adventure and danger await, and Matt and Emily manage to help their new Inuit friends before making their escape with the help of the magic sled. At the end of the story are “Top Ten Facts” from both Matt and Emily (the result of their research upon their return) and “So you want to know...” notes from the author. Short chapters and black and white illustrations add to the appeal of this new series for readers in the 6 to 9 age range.

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