Book Review: Seven Dead Pirates

SEVEN DEAD PIRATES by Linda Bailey is a humorous paranormal adventure about a boy who helps a gaggle of ghosts retake their pirate ship from a local museum.

After Lewis’s great grandfather dies, the shy eleven-year-old and his family moves into his great-grandfather’s creepy seaside mansion. Lewis soon discovers that the ghosts of seven pirates live in the secluded tower that’s now his bedroom. These spooky characters aren’t interested in haunting. Instead, they want to steal their pirate ship from the history museum and set sail for the pirate utopia known as Libertalia.

Perfect for a Halloween month read-aloud, this middle grades fantasy is full of paranormal fun and emerging friendships. Children will easily empathize with Lewis and his motley crew of apparitions. This book will quickly become a popular part of the library’s Halloween book display.

Librarians will also find the book to be a great focal point for a pirate themed event. Need ideas? Go to the Talk Like a Pirate website at http://www.talklikeapirate.com.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.lindabaileybooks.com/.

Published by Tundra, an imprint of Random House on September 8, 2015.

Book Review: The Mothman's Curse

THE MOTHMAN’S CURSE by Christine Hayes is a spooky thriller for middle grade readers.

Living in America’s most haunted town, Josie is accustomed to strange happenings in her family’s auction house. However, the appearance of a Polaroid camera that captures images of a ghost draws Josie and her brother into a century old mystery. A ghost, a monster, and a cursed pin are just a few of the creepy things these witty siblings encounter as they try to prevent a disaster in their small Ohio town.

This fast-paced suspense will keep readers on the edge of their seats wondering what will happen next. Hayes’ conversational writing style is easy to read and her characters are well-developed.

What will make the story even more compelling for young readers is the connection to with local legends about a real Mothman. Create a display featuring this book along with others about legendary monsters like Bigfoot and Sasquatch.

To learn more about the author, go to http://christinehayesbooks.com/.

Published by Roaring Brook on June 16, 2015.