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Traveling Trunk Adventures #1
Pirate Treasure
First book in a new adventure series for young readers.
A cursed treasure chest transports Ethan and Dallin from their modern lives onto a ship in the New World. Not just any ship, a merchant vessel transformed into a renegade pirate ship that same morning.
Mistaken as thieves, the brothers must use their wits and humor to navigate the dark secrets of the brig, survive walking the plank, learn how to talk, fight and hurl insults like a pirate (along with the rest of the clueless crew), and solve the mystery that turned Captain Black Bart into a wannabe pirate.
But even if they can save the pirates from themselves, can they unravel the curse that brought them here, and then figure out how to get back home?
The first in a series of comical adventures scattered across history. From the New World to the Great Wall of China, the Traveling Trunk Adventures are sure to capture the imagination, free the spirit of adventure, and tickle the funny bone of every reader, young and old alike.
A cursed treasure chest transports Ethan and Dallin from their modern lives onto a ship in the New World. Not just any ship, a merchant vessel transformed into a renegade pirate ship that same morning.
Mistaken as thieves, the brothers must use their wits and humor to navigate the dark secrets of the brig, survive walking the plank, learn how to talk, fight and hurl insults like a pirate (along with the rest of the clueless crew), and solve the mystery that turned Captain Black Bart into a wannabe pirate.
But even if they can save the pirates from themselves, can they unravel the curse that brought them here, and then figure out how to get back home?
The first in a series of comical adventures scattered across history. From the New World to the Great Wall of China, the Traveling Trunk Adventures are sure to capture the imagination, free the spirit of adventure, and tickle the funny bone of every reader, young and old alike.
110 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 19, 2018
First in a series for young people about an old treasure chest that takes them on adventures, this first one about pirates. Of some interest and entertainment, for the young person, it worked very hard yo make the pirate culture palatable to the young mind.
Pretty forgettable and seeing the series only seems to have three books, despite four being advertised in the back, perhaps not that successful?
Anyway average fair, which may help build interest in reading and history.
Pretty forgettable and seeing the series only seems to have three books, despite four being advertised in the back, perhaps not that successful?
Anyway average fair, which may help build interest in reading and history.
September 1, 2010
Originally reviewed on my blog, Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing.
Pirate Treasure and The Lost City of Atlantis are the first two books in the middle grade adventure series, The Traveling Trunk Adventures written by Benjamin Flinders.
In the first book, Pirate Treasure, Ethan and Dallin's father brings them a gift; an old looking chest, said to have previously been owned by pirates. Although confused at first (because pirate chests don't really fit in with their awesome jungle themed bedroom, complete with vines) they open the chest and start to play around a little. When they jump in the chest and close the lid to hide from their little sister, they are amazed, and more than a little scared to open the lid and realize they are no longer in their bedroom, but in what looks like the cabin of a ship.
After their adventures in the first book aboard a real life 18th century pirate ship, the boys manage to unlock the mysteries of the chest and return home. A short time later, they return to the chest and find themselves in the City of Atlantis, listening to men preach in the streets that the city is doomed and will fall any day unless drastic changes are made.
While reading these two books, there were a few moments when I just had to roll my eyes at the unlikeliness of their situations. I found that the adults in these stories were just a little too dumb to be believable and people in both books were a little too willing to help these brothers out. They patiently explained unfamiliar words and phrases, and accepted whatever the boys told them as explanation.
However, these books are designed to be read and enjoyed by young middle grade readers, and I think they were written perfectly for that age group. They are quick reads with eye catching illustrations, and the language is on level with what kids that age would understand and enjoy.
I wasn't exactly sure how I felt about these books immediately after finishing, until I thought about how much I would have loved these books as a kid. I was fascinated by history, and loved the idea of kids being able to go back in time to live through, and maybe alter, history. In 5th grade, when I just knew I was going to be a writer someday, I wrote a little mini-series of (awful) time travel stories and this brought all those memories back.
I would definitely recommend this series to younger kids, whether they are interested in history, like the idea of traveling through time, or just like the idea of an adventure. They might not switch between adults and children as smoothly as other MG books I've come across, but they are perfect for children and would easily be enjoyed by many MG readers, boys and girls alike.
Each book also contains a little bit of historical fact at the end of the chapter. Pirate Treasure includes a pirate glossary. How cool is that?! With this book, on International Talk Like a Pirate Day (Sept. 19) you can totally sound legit!!
Pirate Treasure and The Lost City of Atlantis are the first two books in the middle grade adventure series, The Traveling Trunk Adventures written by Benjamin Flinders.
In the first book, Pirate Treasure, Ethan and Dallin's father brings them a gift; an old looking chest, said to have previously been owned by pirates. Although confused at first (because pirate chests don't really fit in with their awesome jungle themed bedroom, complete with vines) they open the chest and start to play around a little. When they jump in the chest and close the lid to hide from their little sister, they are amazed, and more than a little scared to open the lid and realize they are no longer in their bedroom, but in what looks like the cabin of a ship.
After their adventures in the first book aboard a real life 18th century pirate ship, the boys manage to unlock the mysteries of the chest and return home. A short time later, they return to the chest and find themselves in the City of Atlantis, listening to men preach in the streets that the city is doomed and will fall any day unless drastic changes are made.
While reading these two books, there were a few moments when I just had to roll my eyes at the unlikeliness of their situations. I found that the adults in these stories were just a little too dumb to be believable and people in both books were a little too willing to help these brothers out. They patiently explained unfamiliar words and phrases, and accepted whatever the boys told them as explanation.
However, these books are designed to be read and enjoyed by young middle grade readers, and I think they were written perfectly for that age group. They are quick reads with eye catching illustrations, and the language is on level with what kids that age would understand and enjoy.
I wasn't exactly sure how I felt about these books immediately after finishing, until I thought about how much I would have loved these books as a kid. I was fascinated by history, and loved the idea of kids being able to go back in time to live through, and maybe alter, history. In 5th grade, when I just knew I was going to be a writer someday, I wrote a little mini-series of (awful) time travel stories and this brought all those memories back.
I would definitely recommend this series to younger kids, whether they are interested in history, like the idea of traveling through time, or just like the idea of an adventure. They might not switch between adults and children as smoothly as other MG books I've come across, but they are perfect for children and would easily be enjoyed by many MG readers, boys and girls alike.
Each book also contains a little bit of historical fact at the end of the chapter. Pirate Treasure includes a pirate glossary. How cool is that?! With this book, on International Talk Like a Pirate Day (Sept. 19) you can totally sound legit!!
September 11, 2010
Being the beginning of a series, I was interested to see how this book played out. The second book in the series, The Lost City of Atlantis, has just recently been released and the third book is due out for release in December. The first book of the series can make it or break it, and in my opinion, it definitely made it.
The basic idea for this series is that two brothers, Ethan and Dallin, have a traveling trunk. Through the use of their imagination and a few props, it can transport them back in time to any location they choose. The characters are well-written and fun. These books are represented as being for the 8-11 crowd, and I found that to be spot on. There are several chapters, but each is only a couple of pages long and there are no difficult words. Though the book is mainly an adventure book (and full of adventure it is!), I found several giggles throughout the book and I'm sure that children will as well. I can't wait to find out how my 11 year old enjoys this series.
For me, the best part of this book came at the end. There's a pirate dictionary! Several common pirate words/phrases are listed and then the boys explain what the words mean, even though they aren't always correct. Most of the illustrations in the book I found to be a bit bland, but the illustrations that the boys have 'drawn' in the pirate dictionary are just too adorable and funny!
I strongly suggest this first book (Hopefully the series! We'll know more as I read on!) for children in the 3rd-6th grade range. If your reader is able to comfortably read Magic Tree House or Series of Unfortunate Events, they should be able to read these with no issues.
The basic idea for this series is that two brothers, Ethan and Dallin, have a traveling trunk. Through the use of their imagination and a few props, it can transport them back in time to any location they choose. The characters are well-written and fun. These books are represented as being for the 8-11 crowd, and I found that to be spot on. There are several chapters, but each is only a couple of pages long and there are no difficult words. Though the book is mainly an adventure book (and full of adventure it is!), I found several giggles throughout the book and I'm sure that children will as well. I can't wait to find out how my 11 year old enjoys this series.
For me, the best part of this book came at the end. There's a pirate dictionary! Several common pirate words/phrases are listed and then the boys explain what the words mean, even though they aren't always correct. Most of the illustrations in the book I found to be a bit bland, but the illustrations that the boys have 'drawn' in the pirate dictionary are just too adorable and funny!
I strongly suggest this first book (Hopefully the series! We'll know more as I read on!) for children in the 3rd-6th grade range. If your reader is able to comfortably read Magic Tree House or Series of Unfortunate Events, they should be able to read these with no issues.
September 1, 2010
This book is a keeper. Great cover, great story, great illustrations. A wonderful middle grade reader!
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews