Under the Black Flag [Paperback]

Erik Christian Haugaard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1993

Freedom and slavery in eighteenth century life in the Caribbean and South America are studied in this sea adventure story. Ages 12 and up

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the 18th century, as 14-year-old William Bernard sails from his father's plantation in Jamaica to study in England, his ship is suddenly overtaken by the nefarious pirate Blackbeard. Although he kidnaps William, he treats him with relative benevolence. The seizing of a pirate vessel from Barbados leads to William's befriending Sam, age 16, the slave and illegitimate son of weak-willed Major Bonnet. The teenagers plan and execute a successful escape that yields an adventurous voyage to Jamaica. Haugaard sets the stage for William's windswept adventures with evocative details about brigantines and plenty of swashbuckler talk ("We shall blow the ship up," says Blackbeard. "Methinks the crew has grown thirsty from this day's work. It will be fitting to celebrate with a bit of fireworks"). Nevertheless, a dark tone permeates much of the novel: Sam shows the scars he bears from his father's whippings, and the boys meet a terrified 11-year-old girl who has been raped by pirates. For all the exotic color, the pacing is sluggish, and the ending abrupt and unsatisfying. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-10-William, the young son of a wealthy landowner in Jamaica, is kidnapped from his father's ship while on his way to England and forced to be a manservant to Blackbeard himself. Eventually, his captors overtake another pirate vessel and Will meets Samuel, the illegitimate son of its captain. This is a high-seas adventure full of duels, cannonballs flying, drinking and songs, and the seizing of ships under fire. The characters are lively and likable, although Will seems slightly too prepared for his life as a pirate. The setting is well described, giving readers the feeling of being a part of the ship, the waves, and the wind. However, they will likely feel nothing for the antagonists. Will takes Blackbeard and his evil deeds in stride; thus the notorious outlaw is rendered ordinary. Furthermore, there is no mention of the burning desire for escape that one would imagine from a boy in his situation. Although Will mentions escape a few times, it is only in passing. Still, readers who enjoy action, especially the swashbuckling variety, will snatch up this book.
Sandra J. Langlais, Newport Public Library, RI
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 170 pages
• Publisher: Roberts Rinehart (August 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879373637
• ISBN-13: 978-1879373631
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,085,696 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting book about ships and history in 1776, July 26, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Under the Black Flag (Paperback)

Under the Black Flag is about a boy named William Bernard who was sent off by his father from Jamaica to England in 1716 to get his education, but on the way, the ship he was sailing on had an encounter with some pirates whose leader was Captain Teach, more commonly known as Blackbeard. William was taken prisoner by the pirates.

On the voyage, Captain Teach meets up with another pirate ship and invites its captain, Major Bonnet on board and lets someone from his crew take charge of Bonnet's boat. Major Bonnet has a son named Sam, whom he uses as a slave because Sam's mother was a black slave. Sam and Will very quickly become friends and dream about escaping together.

In the year William spends on the ship, he goes through many adventures with the pirates. William knows Captain Teach is vicious and inhuman, but he never does anything wrong to William, who he calls Princeling. William has mixed feelings about Blackbeard. He likes him, but he knows that Captain Teach is a bad man.

Finally, Captain Teach abandons William but he is rescued by Major Bonnet. Soon, William and Sam get their chance to escape. Bonnet has captured a small boat called a cutter, and one night, the two boys sneak away taking the cutter.

Using their navigational skills, Sam, William, and their new guest Costanza (who they rescue from a shipwrecked pirate ship) make it home to Jamaica.

The book was interesting, and there's a lot to learn from it about ships and history. I think it's a bit advanced for the average fifth grader and I recommend it for sixth graders and up. There was a pretty hard vocabulary and it would be hard to understand without an adult to explain some things.

Eli Schulman age 10

Palo Alto, California

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From Jake Cohen, Age 9, July 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Under the Black Flag (Paperback)

It is about a boy, William Bernard, who gets kidnapped by Blackbeard the pirate,also known as Captain Teach of "The Queen Anne's Revenge". This is a great book if you want to have great entertainment and exciting dreams!