Jake Jellicoe and the Dread Pirate Redbeard

Nadin’s amusing adventure story treads similar lines to the work of Philip Ardagh. Anarchic humour and gruesome characters feature against a backcloth with enough historical accuracy to draw children into the time in which the story is set. In this case, some interesting details of pirate customs and punishments provide a backdrop for a well plotted story. Jake runs away, joins up with a Captain who is pursuing pirate treasure, only to be surprised by a twist in the tale.

And that’s about it! Walker are putting out a series of books marketed as ‘Short Novels for Fluent Readers’, and this one is exactly what it claims to be. As such, children making the bridge to novel reading will read it, not be put off by it, be excited by its twists and turns and satisfied by its ending. Treasure Island it ain’t – but I’ve got my thoughts concerning a load of seven-, eight- and nine-year-old lads who will love it, and for whom it can provide a way into novels. Without bridges like this, would any of us make it to Treasure Island?

A book that does what it sets out to do, with flair and excitement.