Pirates and Shipwrecks: True Stories

by Tom McCarthy

Overview

When Daniel Collins and the crew of the Betsey set sail for Cuba in 1824, they have no idea of the horrors that lie ahead. This is just one of the stories in a collection of five true tales about pirates and shipwrecks that introduces readers to the perils of the high seas.

Pirates and Shipwrecks: True Stories is the first book in the Mystery & Mayhem series for 9–12 year olds, which features true tales that whet kids’ appetites for history by engaging them in genres with proven track records—mystery and adventure. History is made of near misses, unexplained disappearances, unsolved mysteries, and bizarre events that are almost too weird to be true—almost! The Mystery & Mayhem series delves into the past to provide kids with a jumping-off point into a lifelong habit of appreciating history.

Each of the true tales in Pirates and Shipwrecks, including stories about pirate Barbarossa and adventurer John Franklin, is paired with interesting facts about the setting, industry, and time period. A glossary and index provide the opportunity to use essential academic tools. These nonfiction narratives use clear, concise language with compelling plots, drawing in both avid and reluctant readers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781619304758
Publisher:	Nomad Press
Publication date:	10/11/2016
Series:	Mystery and Mayhem Series
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	216,475
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	940L (what's this?)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Tom McCarthy is an award-winning writer and editor. He has developed and edited titles that have won such awards as Harvard University's Goldsmith Award for Book of the Year, Reader's Digest Top Five Summer Books, Sport Illustrated's Top Books of the Year, and Esquire's The Year's Five Best Read. As the series editor for several best-selling collections, including Incredible Pirate Tales, Ghost Pirates, and Incredible Tales of the Sea, he has developed a knack for finding great stories for readers of all ages. Tom lives in Guilford, CT.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Golden Age of Pirates
Chapter 1: The Lucky Escape of Danial Collins
Chapter 2: The Audacious Barbarossa
Chapter 3: The Raider Who Couldn’t Stop
Chapter 4: The Final Journey of John Franklin
Chapter 5: A Most Remarkable Coincidence
Glossary
Index

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Pirates and Shipwrecks: Real Tales of Terror on the High Seas
Geekdad.com
"ThisMystery & Mayhemseries has really grabbed my son’s attention. The second book he enjoyed wasPirates and Shipwrecks, another 124-page book filled with five true tales involving ships and pirates. In these pages, he read about Daniel Collins encounter with pirates after his captain and crew mates shipwrecked. The tale is not for the faint of heart, with its gruesome details of the crew’s fate at the hands of the pirates. I thought my son would toss the book away after we read that first chapter together, but apparently young boys know what to expect when it comes to true tales of pirates… he was hooked. This led to him reading more about a search for a long-lost captain and crew, a female pirate who dressed as a man, an island of cannibals(!), and the closing tale of the most infamous pirate of all, Barbarossa.

As with theSurvival book, each chapter opens with some maps and closes with a “What Happened Next?” summary, some other historical events for the time period, and a glossary.

I asked my son which was his favorite of the twoMystery & Mayhembooks–it was thePirates and Shipwrecksbook, of course! He was also quite pleased when I told him that there are two more books coming out in the series in May 2017–Weird DisappearancesandDaring Heists."

This Kid Reviews Books , October 3, 2016 Blog
"Mr. McCarthy has written another book that is just as good as the Survival book.Also nonfiction, these true stories tell of real-life pirates, and also real-life shipwrecks that almost (or even did!) turned into disasters. It was an interesting look into a different time. The one thing I like about both books is that they include maps of where the events take place. . . The books are shorter, and good for a quick read, especially chapter by chapter. A really nice nonfiction series! I give this book five out of five bookworms!"

Novel Novice , September 30, 2016 Blog
History comes alive in the new Mystery & Mayhem series from author Tom McCarthy — a new non-fiction series that aims to get young readers excited about history by sharing thrilling, real-life stories of adventure and intrigue. I love the concept of this series — and so far, I love the books in the series, too!

Mom Read It Blog
". . . .There are five stories of pirates and shipwrecks here, all true. Pirate fans, brandish your cutlasses, put on your eyepatch, and have a seat; these are the stories of the real Pirates of the Caribbean (and then some)!"

Kirkus Reviews "Five true tales of pirates and shipwrecks spare none of the intriguing and grisly details. Employing a casual, conversational tone that reads easily, McCarthy spins five yarns of bloodthirsty pirates and harrowing shipwrecks. . . . A breezy offering just right for fans of survival tales.

Titles Edited by Tom McCarthy
Far Afield, A Sportswriting Odyssey by S.L. Price
The New York Times "The sports reportage in this gracefully written book is strong enough to make the sometimes-dated events seem timeless."

Esquire Magazine
" Far Afield is mostly a journey of self-discovery, honest and true without any of the usual sun-dappled barf. It reminds us that sports can tell us more about one another than just about anything else we do, so long as someone as able as Price provides the translation."

Duty, Honor, Victory by Gary Bloomfield
Sports Illustrated "An excellent book, it could be sent to school with your kids and used for social studies classes."

Publishers Weekly "A touching and memorable account of America's athletes on the battlefield."

Facing Ali: 15 Fighters/15 Stories by Stephen Brunt
Sports Illustrated
"These are men of substance, worth getting to know. Brunt does them justice, but the author has done something even more impressive: He has found something new to report about Muhammad Ali."

Racing the Sunset: An Athlete's Quest for Life After Sports by Scott Tinley
Triathlete "Tinley rubbed shoulders with legends from all sports during the run-up in his own notoriety, and leveraged those relationships in writing his latest book. He opens their grief to us in their own words, and bares his own heart as well."

Undertaker's Son by Richard & Digger Phelps
Donald J. Trump
"Digger is not only a survivor, he's an optimist who has made an indelible impression on everyone who has been lucky enough to know him. His book is a lesson in having the right attitude to not only overcome obstacles, but to contribute to society and our country in a big way. Undertaker's Son is a terrific read, and a wonderful book to add to any collection."

Foul Ball: My Life and Hard Times Trying to Save an Old Ballpark by Jim Bouton
San Francisco Chronicle
"An irresistible story whose outcome remains in doubt until the very end. Not just a funny book, but a patriotic one."

John Feinstein
"What it shares with Ball Four is Bouton's humor, his keen sense of what's right and wrong, and a remarkable tale that's if you didn't trust the author's you would find difficult to believe."

Jim Bouton " Ball Four is a book I wanted to write. Foul Ball is a book I had to write."

Keith Olbermann
"Now in his fifth decade of telling the truth no matter the consequences, Bouton proves that a badly run city government can be just as dangerous, and just as hilarious, as a badly run baseball team."

Other titles from Nomad Press
Explorers of the New World
School Library Journal
"This informative, entertaining activity book takes readers on a fascinating voyage of their own . . . . An appealing and useful resource."

Children's Literature Review
"This combination history and activity book from the "Build it Yourself" series will enliven home school and classroom history units. . . ."

The American Revolution: Experience the Battle for Independence
School Library Journal
"Featuring a lively page design, this volume asks readers a series of questions to prompt them to consider the American Revolution . . . . VERDICT A useful resource; purchase as needed."

From the Publisher

10/01/2016
Gr 5–8—These hi-lo books focus on high-stakes stories from European and U.S. history. Each begins with a brief overview, followed by profiles of a specific person or disaster. In Pirates and Shipwrecks, readers are introduced to a number of pirates and three shipwrecked crews. Two shipwrecks, the Bounty mutiny, the ill-fated Donner party, and a trek across Death Valley comprise Survival. Intriguing details about Ernest Shackleton's starving crew keep readers engaged. A map of the area where each event took place, a time line, and an abbreviated list of other historical events from the time period allow students an additional way to connect with the material. Aside from an author's note that attributes the story of Daniel Collins to a published narrative, none of the other tales have references. The author uses the phrases savage islanders and natives who would kill them to describe encounters survivors had with people from island nations. VERDICT Because of the stereotypical language and lack of sources, this title is not recommended. Librarians should instead seek out Lauren Tarshis's Nature Attacks!—Hilary Writt, Sullivan University, Lexington, KY

School Library Journal

2016-08-02
Five true tales of pirates and shipwrecks spare none of the intriguing and grisly details. Employing a casual, conversational tone that reads easily, McCarthy spins five yarns of bloodthirsty pirates and harrowing shipwrecks. The first offering portrays the terrifying experience of sailors who survive a shipwreck only to land on a beach of decapitated, sun-bleached skeletons. The next, another account of nautical distress, tells of a lost ship, reports of possible cannibalism, and the expedition that set out to learn the truth. The third recounts the tales of two fierce female pirates who were just as ruthless and bloodthirsty as their male counterparts. The fourth and fifth deliver more tales of maritime mayhem and cutthroat (quite literally) pirates, keeping up the lively pace already established. McCarthy shows a good sense for the interesting and gory detail, offering up plenty of blood-soaked action while keeping it appropriate for a young readership. Included after each vignette are other notable facts of the time period, and at the end of the offering is a glossary and resources. Releasing simultaneously is Survival, a volume that follows the same format and offers accounts of events such as the Donner Party disaster. Recommend this to fans of the I Survived… series who might be seeking a bit more fact and a little less fiction. A breezy offering just right for fans of survival tales. (Nonfiction. 7-12)

Kirkus Review