Jack Jones and the Pirate Curse (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3–6—An Australian author known primarily for her puzzle picture books tries her hand at a novel with mixed results. When his Great Uncle Mungo dies, and Poll, a talking parrot, appears on the scene, Jack discovers that he is the next male in line to inherit his family's curse: without warning, people around him turn into pirates and proceed to attack him. The boy learns that he is a direct descendant of the fearsome Blackstrap Morgan, who allegedly betrayed his shipmates and sent them off to hang without their promised portion of the treasure. These ghostly pirates take control of other people's bodies to exact their revenge on their enemy's descendants. There is not much characterization here, and all the adults are portrayed as nitwits who really can't do anything to fix the problem. Jack's only real help comes from his friend Rachel. In the end, he learns to deal creatively with his foes and finally figures out how to get them out of his life. While the story is not much more than a repetitive series of episodes of people—including Jack's teacher and his parents—getting possessed by swaggering buccaneers, this quick read will still have appeal to reluctant readers and fans of pirate yarns.—Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

A popular Australian illustrator demonstrates that she can also spin a good yarn. When young Jack Jones inherits the family curse, the result of a long-ago betrayal by his ancestor Blackstrap Morgan, his world becomes unstable: his schoolroom turns into a ship; shop clerks and teachers become stalking pirates; and his socks are transformed into tarantulas. Jack is terrified by the attacks, made worse by the constant commentary of a talking parrot, Poll. No fighter, Jack knows he will have to use his brain to outwit the revengeful pirates, and, with a little luck, he does. Although somewhat stereotypical, secondary characters add humor: Jack's father withdraws to swim laps in the family pool day and night; taking a different tack, Jack's mother calls in experts from Europe and tries to keep her son isolated. Only Jack's friend Rachel is helpful in a fight. Middle-grade readers will enjoy the dialogue, spiced with pirate slang. Straightforward third-person narrative and fast-paced action make this a good choice for the reluctant reader. Kathleen Isaacs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802796613
• ISBN-13: 978-0802796615
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,850,291 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kids who love mysteries and pirates with a touch of the supernatural thrown in will love JACK JONES AND THE PIRATE CURSE., June 10, 2007

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Jack is a regular kid until his great-uncle passes away and he finds out about a terrible curse from his private relative that leads a band of pirates to his doorstep. Can he become the only family member to successfully thwart the curse, or will he spend his life running from it, as everyone has before him? Kids who love mysteries and pirates with a touch of the supernatural thrown in will love JACK JONES AND THE PIRATE CURSE.

5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic, funny, fast and furious reading, July 11, 2008

By	circ d'wolves (Costa Rica) - See all my reviews

a fantastic, funny pirate adventure! a rollicking read! me kids loved it and I did too, and we all be talking pirate talk e'er since! yarrr!

3.0 out of 5 stars Jack Jones and the Pirate Curse, March 26, 2008

A Kid's Review

Jack Jones is the 10th descendent of Blackstrap Morgan. When Jack's uncle dies a curse gets passed down to him. The curse got started when Blackstrap betrayed his friends. The pirates he betrayed will attack Jack Jones all his life, unless he can outsmart them.

I liked trying to solve the problem,when one of the pirates attack Jack. It is interesting to see what Jack is going to do to get away from them.

Poll is a talking parrot that helps Jack with his problems. Poll was my favorite character.

I did not like the beginning that much because it was a little slow and boring, but it got a lot better. This is a great book to read if you like mysteries and pirates.