MIDDLE GRADE
Captain Sparky and the Pool
Pirates
T. E. Antonino
102p, e-book, $7.99, ISBN 979-8-864-96514-6
Fourth-grader Sparky is struggling with writer’s block for her English story assignment, and, worse yet, she still hasn’t learned how to swim, a serious problem given her affinity for visiting the local pool. While she frets about being stuck in the baby pool forever, her mom offers some sage advice: “Only fish, pirates, or a hippopotamus need to worry about being able to swim.” That wisdom kindles creativity for Sparky, and the minute her mother turns her back, three pirates—Gobble, Bobble, and Wobble—explode out of the pool drain and offer to train her in nothing less than the art of piracy.
That premise and Sparky’s rich imagination will wow young readers in this rollicking adventure from Antonino (author of ShBeep the Unique Sheep), as the hero sets sail to encounter rough seas, savage enemies, new friends, and delightful place names. When Sparky makes a deal with her pirate pals—in exchange for learning how to become a pirate herself, she’ll teach them nice manners—her creative juices really start flowing. Before long, she has a fun-filled story ready to present to her English class, and fans will enjoy hearing the tale alongside Sparky’s classmates. As Sparky—and the pirates—sally forth into the water pipes at the pool, she learns exciting new pirate tricks and words along the way—like why a williwaw can help move a ship in the right direction, or just how dangerous landlubber fever can be. The group eventually run aground on Jerky Turkey Island, headed by King Fry, a larger-than-life turkey sporting a crown who threatens to peck holes in their ship, but even that doesn’t stop Sparky’s thirst for adventure. Readers will cheer when an unlikely rescue by a baby sea hippopotamus saves the day, prompting Sparky’s English teacher to declare “that was one wonderful story.” Antonino includes black and white sketches throughout that add to the merriment, making this a rousing good time for young readers.
Cover: B | Design & typography: A | Illustrations: B Editing: A-| Marketing copy: A