Week 8 The Not-So Jolly Roger

            














  Title & Author:  The not-so-jolly Roger by Jon Scieszka

Summary:  In another fast-paced adventure, book 2 in the Time Warp Trio has the boys once again using the magical book, this time to escape the grasp of Blackbeard and his pirates.

Reference: Scieszka, J. (1991).  The not-so-jolly Roger. New York, NY: Viking.

My Impressions: Although I am not too familiar with writing for this age group, I am familiar with the author and was pleasantly surprised at this silly but funny trilogy of stories, The Time Warp Trio.

Professional Review: “A second "Time Warp Trio" story (cf. Knights of the Kitchen Table, above), only slightly less clever than the first. The boys now find themselves on a desert island. Blackbeard comes to bury treasure--and his two helpers; he catches the boys and takes them to the pirate ship (Israel Hands is among those aboard). There's some suspense, more slapstick, and the singing of some fine chanteys before the boys are again saved by The Book. Smith's funny/wicked pirates make an excellent contribution. "Historical afterword" on Blackbeard; another (tongue firmly in cheek) on the boys.”

Reference: The not-so-jolly Roger. (1991, April 15). [Review of the book The not-so-jolly Roger by Jon Scieszka]. Kirkus Reviews, April 15, 1991. Retrieved from http://kirkusreviews.com

Library Uses:  Any of Scieszka’s books are great fodder for read-alouds for middle grade story times, book clubs, or in a writer’s workshop where humor writing is the focus.