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Pirate Island
A thrice cursed island, a legendary pirate treasure, and one not-so-brave boy. What could possibly go wrong?
For centuries, the whereabouts of Captain William Kidd's lost pirate treasure has remained a mystery. When Billy's best friend, Andy, proposes they look for it on nearby Pirate Island, Billy thinks it's just another one of their crazy adventures. It's usually Billy who ends up in trouble as a result, but he goes along for the ride...like always. The more he delves into the life and death of Kidd, the more he thinks the treasure is real and that it might be buried on the small island in Long Island Sound. Billy--nope, call him William--becomes obsessed with the captain of the same first name. He even believes he's possessed by Kidd's restless soul. Now he and the spirit of a long-dead pirate are leading the crazy adventure on Pirate Island. And what they find is far bigger than the treasure they imagined.
For centuries, the whereabouts of Captain William Kidd's lost pirate treasure has remained a mystery. When Billy's best friend, Andy, proposes they look for it on nearby Pirate Island, Billy thinks it's just another one of their crazy adventures. It's usually Billy who ends up in trouble as a result, but he goes along for the ride...like always. The more he delves into the life and death of Kidd, the more he thinks the treasure is real and that it might be buried on the small island in Long Island Sound. Billy--nope, call him William--becomes obsessed with the captain of the same first name. He even believes he's possessed by Kidd's restless soul. Now he and the spirit of a long-dead pirate are leading the crazy adventure on Pirate Island. And what they find is far bigger than the treasure they imagined.
229 pages, Paperback
Published January 22, 2018
315 people want to read
About the author
Katie L. Carroll
13 books102 followersKatie Carroll began writing after her 16-year-old sister unexpectedly passed away. Writing was a way for Katie to help her sister live on in the pages of a story. It also made her realize that she wanted to pursue writing as a career. In addition to penning novels for teens and kids, she edits novels, plays soccer, and collects signed copies of books.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 17, 2017
Katie Carroll is an excellent author, so I knew I was going to enjoy this book. When I was given the opportunity to read and review Pirate Island, I was curious to see how well she transitioned to a middle grade voice and was eager to go on whatever pirate journey I was destined for.
I don’t know why I ever wondered about the voice. Katie’s middle grade voice is flawless. Billy is our main character and he’s grossed out by his sister kissing her boyfriend, ticked at his best friend for always one-upping him, tongue tied over the pretty girl, it’s all very authentic. And the adventure is fun. We’re right by Billy’s side as he learns the histories of the island, Captain William Kidd, and the treasure itself. Then we go on an overnight excursion to find the actual treasure. The end is very satisfying for us and, I believe, for Billy.
Pirate Island is a reading adventure. I highly recommend it for middle grade readers who like action and adventure and a bit of mystery.
I don’t know why I ever wondered about the voice. Katie’s middle grade voice is flawless. Billy is our main character and he’s grossed out by his sister kissing her boyfriend, ticked at his best friend for always one-upping him, tongue tied over the pretty girl, it’s all very authentic. And the adventure is fun. We’re right by Billy’s side as he learns the histories of the island, Captain William Kidd, and the treasure itself. Then we go on an overnight excursion to find the actual treasure. The end is very satisfying for us and, I believe, for Billy.
Pirate Island is a reading adventure. I highly recommend it for middle grade readers who like action and adventure and a bit of mystery.
January 22, 2021
I was hooked on the very first page. This is the book for middle-grade readers (or readers of any age, really) looking for adventure and a bit of a mystery. Billy gets roped into looking for a pirate treasure by his best friend, but when he starts channeling a long-dead pirate, he becomes "numb-thumb deep" and obsessed. You'll have to read it to see if he finds the treasure of not. It's a great story throughout with a satisfying ending.
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September 28, 2017I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways. It is autographed.
December 10, 2017
A legend, buried treasure, and danger. The perfect adventure for two daring 13-year-old boys. Right? And so, the middle grade/tween novel PIRATE ISLAND, by Katie L. Carroll, begins with William Bonny, 13, who is possessed (meaning the pirate takes control of his body at times) by the pirate Captain William Kidd, thinking about how he came to be on the beach, looking at Pirate Island, and dreaming of finding Captain William Kidd’s buried treasure. Then he goes on to tell his story.
Katie L. Carroll got it just right. William Bonny and his sometimes friend, Andy, talk like and act like kids you probably know. They have their disagreements. Who doesn’t? William also has trouble understanding his teenage sister, Kristina, and her boyfriend. Give him a few more years and he will. When William, Kristina, her boyfriend, and Andy finally set out to see if the treasure really exists, William discovers more than just the truth about the treasure. He also discovers the truth about himself.
PIRATE ISLAND is a sweet, fun, story about dreams and truth and what really counts in life. Recommended for middle school libraries and classrooms, and public libraries. Would make great gifts for the tween readers you know.
Katie L. Carroll got it just right. William Bonny and his sometimes friend, Andy, talk like and act like kids you probably know. They have their disagreements. Who doesn’t? William also has trouble understanding his teenage sister, Kristina, and her boyfriend. Give him a few more years and he will. When William, Kristina, her boyfriend, and Andy finally set out to see if the treasure really exists, William discovers more than just the truth about the treasure. He also discovers the truth about himself.
PIRATE ISLAND is a sweet, fun, story about dreams and truth and what really counts in life. Recommended for middle school libraries and classrooms, and public libraries. Would make great gifts for the tween readers you know.
February 1, 2022
Pirate Island is a ghost story and an adventure story, but it also delves into the nature of friendship, sibling relations, and self-acceptance. If you're an adult, don't let the middle-grade label turn you away. This story is well worth your time.
Billy, the best friend of Andy the jock, gets pulled into helping with Andy's latest scheme, finding Captain Kidd's buried treasure. Andy doesn't care for doing research, so Billy--the more scholarly of the pair--takes over the bookish end of the quest. Something strange happens when Billy is looking at one of the old books he's found. He starts to feel a strangely strong connection to Captain Kidd, as if he's possessed by the long dead pirate's ghost. Eventually, Andy looses interest in the quest for the treasure while Billy becomes obsessed. This puts a strain on their friendship. At the same time, Billy looks to his older sister for help, an act which draws them closer together. Do they ever find the treasure? Yes and no. You'll have to read the book to figure that one out.
Billy, the best friend of Andy the jock, gets pulled into helping with Andy's latest scheme, finding Captain Kidd's buried treasure. Andy doesn't care for doing research, so Billy--the more scholarly of the pair--takes over the bookish end of the quest. Something strange happens when Billy is looking at one of the old books he's found. He starts to feel a strangely strong connection to Captain Kidd, as if he's possessed by the long dead pirate's ghost. Eventually, Andy looses interest in the quest for the treasure while Billy becomes obsessed. This puts a strain on their friendship. At the same time, Billy looks to his older sister for help, an act which draws them closer together. Do they ever find the treasure? Yes and no. You'll have to read the book to figure that one out.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews