A fun book that would delight any kid who fancies pirates or ghost stories full of amusing characters. ( )

Once I started reading this humorous adventure story I could not put it down. I feel my younger self would relate to the main character Lewis Dearborn. Lewis is shy when he is at school. Everything changes when he moves into a mansion he and his mother inherit from his great-grandfather. He now lives with his mother, father, and Mrs. Binchy. After moving into his new room he is introduced to ghosts. Each ghost has their own distinct personality. I liked how the book when into some detail about the ghosts’ past lives. I have multiple favorite characters from this book. I really cannot pick just one. This was a good book to read during my spring break! ( )

LOVED this book and laughed out loud in parts! I was as painfully (well, almost as painfully) shy as sixth-grader Lewis. What I didn't have were seven dead pirates living in my room to change my life. Good fiction is the "suspension of disbelief" and I wholeheartedly got into this story. The voices! The voices of each character (Lewis's parents, friend Abbie, his grandfather, the cook, etc.) sold me from the start. I won't be surprised if this is made into a movie as it contains the emotions, personal growth, suspense, and action required for a riveting film (not to mention putting bullies in their place, a definite plus).

As a 4th and 5th grade school librarian, I do have a minor quibble. Why do authors feel the need to add lines such as "Her old-lady bosom swayed, like a couple of animals trapped in a bag"? Clever, yes. Needed? No. What child would make an observation like that? None. I'd like to see those kind of "clever" lines avoided as they add nothing to the story.

On to Libertalia! ( )

Male protagonist. Young somewhat shy boy moves to old house with his parents and discovers seven dead pirates live there too. Great read aloud for Middle Grade classrooms.

Lewis Dearborn is a terminally shy middle-school aged boy with uncool parents and now his very own haunted house. He inherited Shornaway, his family's estate, from his late great-grandfather as well as the ghosts of seven dead pirates. The pirates were members of a crew that were drowned just off the shore from Shornaway in the 1700s and how they want Lewis to help them get back to their ship now housed in a local museum. But first Lewis has to deal with school bullies and a shyness so overwhelming he can't even speak to others. This book is fun and spooky read. Being a history buff, I was fascinated by the pirates, their lives and adventures and their relationship with Lewis. They help each other in more ways than one. I would recommend for any reader who have an interest in pirates and the history of piracy or have read classics like Treasure Island and Peter Pan. ( )