Blackbeard's Last Fight

by Eric A. Kimmel, Leonard Everett Fisher (Illustrator)

Cabin boy Jeremy Hobbs knows the horror stories about Blackbeard the pirate. In 1718, the man is notorious for plundering ships and has recently blockaded the port of Charleston. But Jeremy has heard Blackbeard is loved as well.
One day Jeremy accompanies Lieutenant Maynard on a visit to Virginia’s governor, who is looking for a bold officer to wipe out the pirate. Now, as Lieutenant Maynard’s sloop approaches
Blackbeard’s ship, Jeremy’s mouth feels dry and his stomach tightens. He has never been in a sea battle before. He hopes he will act bravely – and that he is doing the right thing.
With bold acrylic paintings, this tale is a thrilling adventure in which the roles of hero and villain become increasingly blurred.

Blackbeard's Last Fight is a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Pirates, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 21, 2006

About the author

Eric A. Kimmel is an American author of more than 150 children's books. His works include Caldecott Honor Book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman), Sydney Taylor Book Award winners The Chanukkah Guest and Gershon's Monster, and Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale.
Kimmel was born in Brooklyn, New York and earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lafayette College in 1967, a master's degree from New York University, and a PhD in Education from the University of Illinois in 1973. He taught at Indiana University at South Bend, and at Portland State University, where he is Professor Emeritus of Education.
Kimmel lives with his wife, Doris, in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Abigail Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blackbeard's Last Fight was a fun and engaging book. This story begins with a Leiutient of the Navy being asked by the Governor of Vergina to kill Blackbeard on unofficial orders. The Leiutient and his buddy Jeremy put a crew together and set towards North Carolina where Blackbeard was known to be enjoying a royal pardon. As the Leiutient and his crew were traveling down to North Carolina where Blackbeard was they found themselves trapped on aground in the sand, one of Blackbeard's traps. But the crew managed to get out and eventually fights and kills Blackbeard.
This historical fiction is historically accurate regarding Blackbeard the pirate who set up his headquarters by Ocracoke Island. This book is also historically accurate regarding battle details, and the Governor sending a Naval officer on an illegal expedition to kill Blackbeard. However, Blackbeard's death is not for certain, the author of this book seems to have his theories based on multiple novels he has read. But who killed him is not known. Although slightly graphic, this book would be a fun read aloud around Halloween for grades 2nd through 5th. The talk of pirates would also be a fun way to get students to begin talking about Colonial times.

[sarafem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I prefer hearing Blackbeard's pirating tales rather than the end of his life, but whatever. It's still one I like because it talks about Carolina.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the better collaborations by this author and illustrator. I was entertained throughout.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

History of pirates as told through a young boy's eyes when he helps a Naval Lt. go after Blackbeard. This is not for young children. It does get a bit gory at the end as Blackbeard is captured and brought to justice. I liked that what was legal and the wrongness of the actions were explained at the end of the book. A good way to interest a child in history.

[Allie]

This is the fiction twin for Pirates.

I chose this book as a twin text because it is based on the story of Blackbeard's death as told by a cabin boy. This book received good reviews from Booklist and School Library Journal.

[Gina Pecoraro · Rating 2 out of 5]

Format: Picture Book