The Not-so-Jolly Roger TWT r/i

Time Warp Trio #2

by Jon Scieszka, Lane Smith (Illustrator)

Everyone’s favorite time-travelers are changing their styles!  The Time Warp Trio series now features a brand-new, eye-catching design, sure to appeal to longtime fans, and those new to Jon Scieszka’s wacky brand of humor.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Fantasy, Time Travel, Historical Fiction, Humor, Adventure

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Jon Scieszka is an American children's writer, best known for picture books created with the illustrator Lane Smith. He is also a nationally recognized reading advocate, and the founder of Guys Read – a web-based literacy program for boys whose mission is "to help boys become self-motivated, lifelong readers."

Reviews

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was packing books and located this one in my stacks. I wasn't sure about this series after the first one but this one sealed the deal. I am done with this series. It is too violent and the characters have no redeeming values and their relationship is full of bullying. I do have a ancestral connection to Edward Teach but that didn't redeem the book for me. Glad it was a quick read and that it is one less book I have to deal with off my shelves.

[Eloise Sunshine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The life back in the days of the pirates ruling on the seas was no walk in the park. Especially when you have to stand face to face with the legendary Blackbeard himself. Right after he has hidden his treasure. Write under your noses.
So clearly the boys (having traveled through time again thanks to the magic book Joe got from his uncle and Fred expressing his wish to go collect some cash/treasure from some long gone era to get rich in the present day) need to get inventive and very quick to save their skin and get back home alive and in one piece. It's a close call, considering the amount of weapons around...

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this is a lively, violent and engaging romp. Three boys in New York have found a book that lets them travel through time. Wishing for some buried treasure, they find themselves on a Caribbean island with nothing but coconuts. Then a pirate ship appears, and matters go decidedly downhill.

Apart from the unusually high body count, we can enjoy learning a lot, packed in to such a slim volume. Like wetting down the powder room on board before a battle. Like how gangs, greed and violence will get you hurt, maybe killed. Good lesson. The illustrations are over the top and good fun.
This is an unbiased review.

[Nix · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5⭐
I only feel pain after watching Our Flag Means Death and now I'm reading pirate children's books that I owned to fill up the void.
"Ed, his name is Ed"💀
Anyway, I'm going to read proper gay pirate books later.
I'm taking recommendations!

Solo siento dolor después de haber visto Our Flag Means Death y ahora leo libros de niños de piratas que tengo para llenar el vacío.
"Ed, su nombre es Ed" 💀
De cualquier forma, voy a leer propios libros de piratas gays luego.
Estoy tomando recomendaciones!

[Quasar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm just not impressed by Time Warp Trio. The potty and fart jokes aren't funny, and are way overused (this from someone who likes Captain Underpants). The relationships between the boys are not ones that I find friendly, and that I would want kids to think was respectful. The story ideas are interesting, but the execution is rather boring--it's more like a weak plot line fleshed out with dry facts about the history we're "studying" in the book. Just not my cup of tea.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun book with some good facts about Blackbeard. I like the history note at the end. I still don't like the style of having the book start in the midst of the action and then using chapter 2 as a flashback. I'd rather we just told the story in order as it's very confusing when you start reading.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Magic Treehouse for kids who like Dav Pilkey. Mind you it's worse than both of those things, but still fun.

[Jakey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The guy on the front is named Blackbeard. He's scary. He has a smoking beard. This book was fun.

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 5yo son and I both loved this one just as much as the first one. I loved reading about the real pirate Blackbeard and his crew. The trio has the best banter and have many witty comments. The book is the perfect length and entertaining for both kid and adult.

SPOILERS and book notes:
“we three guys happened to find ourselves up in the coconut trees and in big trouble two hundred and seventy-five years before our time.” (Year 1716-1718) I like this: “If you had ever made it to the end of any of those magic books, you would know that magic is very tricky. Like Joe’s uncle said, ‘be careful what you wish for. You might get it.’ We could wish for a pile of money, end up in a bank, and get shot by Jesse James.” They come across Blackbeard or Edward Teach an English pirate. His ship is called Queen Ann’s revenge. I love the authors pirate talk: ““Israel! Israel Hands!” yelled Blackbeard. “You scumbucket, low-life, fish-bait son of a wharf rat first mate—what in the name of the Devil’s hind end is going on here?” The trio help defeat the British navy ship by accidentally shooting the cannon at the British ship. They got the book to take them home from buried treasure.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series was recommended for children my 8-year-old's age and I was shocked by the content. All these positive reviews fail to mention that the story contains point blank shooting murders, innocent people murdered by walking the plank, maimed men missing body parts, references to hangings and other gruesome deaths, and a whole lot of bad language that my 8-year-old doesn't know and I didn't really want to introduce him to. I read this out loud and after the first few shockers, I found myself skipping over at times half a page in order to avoid potentially traumatizing material. Not to mention the historical summary at the end is gruesome and violent as well. I'm not a prude and I don't object to potty humor, but I was shocked that this level of violence made it into a book for elementary school children. If none of this bothers you, then go ahead, but consider yourselves warned.

[Elza Kinde · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Time Warp Trio search for answers about the mysterious time-traveling magic of The Book. But in the process of trying to learn more, they accidentally land themselves in the middle of a pirate's treasure burial ground. Now, they have to survive a crew of angry bootleggers, an all-out battle with the British armada, and Blackbeard himself.

In this second adventure of The Time Warp Trio series, the boys are once again thrown into history with nothing but their wits and a few unhelpful magical spells. Humor, violence, and a good deal of pirate-themed cursing carry the story. While entertaining, The Not-So-Jolly Roger does not provide much in the way of education compared to the other books in the series, except, perhaps, a peek at the life of a pirate.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children's Lit read.

Oh, was it fun to revisit this series from my childhood. I never realized the books were so short, this was, like, 50-something pages? Took me less than an hour to read.

Obviously I had a relatively good time with this. Though reading it as an adult kinda made me wish it were longer. I feel like hardly anything happened with the boys and the pirates. Like, they got there, they got on the ship, then they got off, and went home. It all just kinda happened so fast.

Maybe I'm just spoiled as an adult by more in-depth and action-packed time travel stories, so I forgot how simple they were for kids.

I love the inclusion of sea shanties in this book. Though it wasn't one of the ones featured, it got me singing "Wellerman" to myself for the rest of the day.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

From crash landing in coconuts, to coming face to face with pirates, these time traveling nincompoops are always getting themselves into trouble!

But every time, they miraculously have just enough dumb luck to get out of every scrape and pickle.

They literally go from being held at gun point, to about walking the plank, to saving the day and becoming
Blackbeard’s best mate.

These guys really do have the best adventures.
You never know just what they are going to encounter!

And this time it’s the famous pirate scoundrel Blackbeard!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Fred wishes for buried treasure, the Time Warp Trio find themselves on a desert island with a Pirate ship quickly approaching. They witness Blackbeard and two prisoners dig a hole to bury a treasure. When finished, Blackbeard shoots his two companions, burying them with the treasure. Then, he discovers the "three monkeys" in the tree and the Time Warp Trio find themselves dangerously close to walking the plank.

[Alex Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that Scieszka has established his three main characters he can focus more time on the setting and history of his story and "The Not-So-Jolly Roger" has some nice details about the real-life Blackbeard that are based in historical fact. It feels like each of the first two books could have been longer, but the epilogue that offers some facts on Blackbeard and the fate of Joe, Sam, and Fred was a nice touch.

[Lupe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lo que yo amo las historias de aventura!! ✨ Un poco me curan el alma.

3 pequeños con un libro mágico aparecen en la isla donde Barbanegra tiene enterrado su tesoro y de ahí las aventuras no paran mientras interactúan con el pirata más sanguinario de la historia.

Me resultó re cute y tarde me enteré que es una serie de libros donde el trío va viajando en el tiempo con su libro mágico y teniendo aventuras. Hermoso

[Zachary Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read. Not sure why so many of the reviews are down on The Not-So-Jolly Roger. It's a goofy adventure book that was written for young boys in the '90s. And it has great illustrations. Nothing more, nothing less. I read one or two Time Warp Trio books in my youth and am revisiting them now in adulthood. So far, they're quick and entertaining reads with just the right amount of humor.

[C.J. Milbrandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joe, Sam, and Fred use the book again and are transported to a tropical island, where they meet the infamous Blackbeard. Another fun, mildly educational adventure through time. Illustrated and appropriate for lower middle grade readers.

[Nathan]

These books rule, thanks in large part to art by Lane Smith. The original dust jacket designs for the entire series were perfect, I wish the publishers hadn't seen fit to ruin them with the latest editions.

[Jenny Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a questionable one, with some murder in it, but not graphically depicted soooo... not sure what to think there. A decent book that does deliver adventure.

Check out my YouTube channel for bookish videos and monthly wrap ups!

[Maximilian Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because it has some information about black beard. I also liked this book because it was very adventurous.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story itself was good for an elementary school-age child. I especially liked the drawings by Lane Smith, who also illustrated, "The True Story Of The Three Little Pigs".

[C'Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The boys like these boys. They are fun and pretty short. I think they should read them on their own.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick early chapter book that was liked by my five-year-old. Not sure if we'll continue the series as they were just ok.

[Amélie Hartley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one, I think was a little better than the first one. Just waiting for my brother to read it!

[Tym · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brutal for such a young targeted audience, better than I expected.

[Sarah Hoov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute I read This to my son. These books are great for kids.

[Shelly Budziszewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar to Magic Tree House. Would highly recommend to boys in my classroom.

[Omar Azzam · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a bit easy to read but if you like fiction you will like this book.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun adventure with the TWT. My third grader is enjoying these books.