The Pirate Jamboree, written by Mark Teague, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: “Morning comes. The sips appear surging o’er the summer sea. While from their decks, a lusty cheer: It’s time for the pirate jamboree!” Teague introduces us to his scurvy brood: Bluebeard, Blackbeard, Beigebeard, Sharktooth Jane, Eye Patch Sue, Cap’n Gunderboom, Peg Leg Jones and Mrs. Jones. Peg Leg Jones is hosting today’s jamboree (aka playtime). Everyone is coming together with mischief on their mind. Chaos ensues as the get together starts. Tables fall, cannons in the hall, missiles shoot across the room and a mess is made out of everything. Finally, Mrs. Jones shows up on the S.S. Clean Your Room!!! She sails the ship of doom. Everyone abandons ship and leaves Peg Leg Jones to “face his destiny.” Dinner brings quiet in the port and all the pirates will come back to fight another day.

Straight Talk for Librarians: This book is a whole lot of fun and will especially appeal to pirate lovers. Teague’s writing will take readers through the character’s imaginations. They are really all the diverse neighborhood characters coming together at one house for an adventure on a “ship”. Everyone has a pirate persona. They go a little wild during their adventure and the house is turned into a bit of a mess. Mrs. Jones is the mom who puts a stop to the party and expects her son to clean up before dinner. Readers will laugh out loud as the rest of the pirates abandon ship by escaping clean up time. Peg Leg has to stay because it is his house. Everything turns out and the neighborhood gang plans another day of pirating at someone else’s house. Readers will get a bit of an introduction for foreshadowing, fun imagery through the text and illustrations, rhyme and will probably enjoy helping predict the outcome of the story. The illustrations utilize vibrant colors, a diverse cast of characters and their emotions are easy to interpret. It’s a perfect adventure. This book could be used for a read-aloud and also for independent reading. A good purchase for any elementary school library.