★ 09/01/2015
Gr 4–7—There is little joy in lonely Lewis Dearborn's young life. He's the only child to older, overprotective parents, shy to the point of becoming selectively mute at school, and friendless. One bright spot is his relationship with his eccentric great-grandfather, who lives in Shornway, a run-down mansion by the sea. When his great-grandfather dies, Lewis and his parents move into the ramshackle estate. He chooses the tower bedroom, with its ocean views, old toys, and creaky floorboards. He is thrilled with the room despite the fact that the middle window won't stay shut even if he latches it; there's a slightly fishy odor; and there are noises, which are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. In a hilariously cinematic scene, Lewis discovers that he has roommates—seven dead pirates who have been waiting for him. They want Lewis to help them navigate the terrifying roads filled with cars to the local museum so that they can retake their ship and sail to Libertalia, a pirate utopia. But first he needs to read aloud to them. This rollicking tale moves apace with a vivid setting, surprising depth, great humor, and memorable characters. Readers will root for Lewis as he finds his sea legs and the courage to make friends, both spectral and human. VERDICT Ahoy, ye maties: don't miss this treasure of a middle grade yarn.—Brenda Kahn, Tenakill Middle School, Closter, NJ
★ 2015-05-06
A new bedroom with seven high-spirited spirits! Just the place where shyness goes to die. Thanks to smothering parents and a bullying classmate, young Lewis is such a skittish wreck that he's unable to speak at all in school. An isolated tower room in Shornoway, a ramshackle seaside mansion that his family has inherited, seems like the perfect hideout—until, that is, he discovers that he's sharing space with a boisterous, argumentative crew of pirates two centuries dead. Terror turns to cautious acceptance as he discovers that his ghostly roommates are captivated by tales of Capt. Hook and Long John Silver. Lewis also learns that if only they can be reunited with their old ship, now housed in the town museum, they will happily sail off for a fabled pirate haven. But for all their bluster and cutlass-waving, these sea dogs are leery of venturing out into the modern world. Their tendency to become visible when upset becomes an issue when one follows him to school. This and other incidents forcibly chip away at Lewis' reserve, leaving him not only ready to lead the pirates publicly down to the museum, but to perform heroically when the ship turns out to have a rival spectral crew. Bailey endows Lewis with several scene-stealing allies (notably a fierce kindergartener) and leaves him confidently steering a course toward calm waters. Piratical fun well-stocked with colorful cast members living and arrghh. (Fantasy. 10-12)
