Pirate Diary: The Journal of Jake Carpenter

The Diary Series

by Richard Platt, Chris Riddell (Illustrator)

Adventure! History! Pirate Diary reveals life on the high seas in the eighteenth century—through the eyes of a nine-year-old boy.

Learn what life was really like on a pirate ship in 1716 as you read PIRATE DIARY, nine-year-old Jake Carpenter’s journal of adventure on the high seas. Discover through Jake’s own words the thrills and perils of a seafar-ing life as he explores the good ship Greyhound, meets fearsome Captain Nick, and becomes a carpenter’s apprentice. But the real excitement begins when pirates capture the ship—and Jake finds himself embarking on a new life on the wrong side of the law. From "mermaids" to monsterlike whales, terrible storms to dead calms, maroonings to pirate raids, Jake’s diary records everything a reader could want to know about life under the pirate code. Historically accurate illustrations of the ship and crew, a map of Jake’s travels, and a detailed glossary and index vividly reveal the fascinating—and harsh—life of a pirate in the eighteenth century.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Picture Books, Pirates, Middle Grade, Childrens, Adventure, Fiction

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

(1953–)

Richard Platt is the author of more than sixty informative books for young readers, and he also writes for innovative multimedia projects. Some of his most popular works have been collaborations with illustrator Stephen Biesty on the "Cross-Sections" series. After a failed attempt to forge a career as a photographer, Platt discovered that he had a knack for writing. "I started writing about photography: first magazine articles, then books," he explained on the Walker Books Web site. "I got a job editing children's books, then went on to write them."

In the 1990s, Platt teamed up with popular juvenile illustrator Biesty for several books, beginning with Stephen Biesty's Incredible Cross-Sections Book, published in 1992. The following year, a second volume in the series, Stephen Biesty's Cross-Sections Man-of-War, proved equally interesting for late-elementary-age readers, especially those enchanted by seventeenth-century battleships. Alongside Biesty's cutaway illustrations, Platt provides explanatory text that indicates the purpose and activities in each section of the ship. The hardships of life aboard such vessels for their often 800-member crews are not overlooked, either, and the drawings depict food rations crawling with maggots and a doctor's pail containing severed limbs. Ellen Mandel, writing for Booklist, asserted that Platt's "intriguing text" serves to make "this meticulously presented book a treasure of factual content and visual imagery."

For Stephen Biesty's Incredible Everything, Platt provides informative paragraphs to accompany the illustrations for many everyday products, such as athletic shoes and compact discs. Much of the text revolves around the manufacturing process. Stephen Biesty's Incredible Body is a lesson in human anatomy, with sections on each of the body's systems and several major organs; the digestive system alone takes up four pages. Platt has also worked with the illustrator on Stephen Biesty's Cross-Sections Castle and Stephen Biesty's Incredible Explosions.

Working with publisher Dorling Kindersley, Platt has authored several titles in their "Eyewitness" series, some of which have appeared in the United States under the Knopf/Borzoi imprint. Pirate details the world of corsairs, privateers, and crime on the high seas throughout history. A reviewer for Science Books and Films, Richard B. Woodbury, praised the work as "a veritable miniencyclopedia or minimuseum" and "a pleasure to look at." Spy chronicles the history of espionage and the decisive role intelligence-gathering triumphs have played in history. Of particular emphasis are the code-breaking endeavors by Allied intelligence networks during World War II. Shipwreck, also part of the "Eyewitness" series, investigates famous sea disasters and rescues. Like the other books in the popular series, Shipwreck is lavishly illustrated. Chris Stephenson, writing in School Librarian, called it "an excellent source of historical evidence and nautical information."

Platt has also written several books about inventions. His The Smithsonian Visual Timeline of Inventions, which appeared in 1994, won praise from reviewers for its comprehensiveness. Platt divides the development of technology throughout the ages into five sections, including agriculture, conquest, and communication. The timeline begins at 600,000 BCE, around the time humans likely began using fire, and includes predictions for innovations that may occur in the near future. Cathryn A. Camper, reviewing The Smithsonian Visual Timeline of Inventions for School Library Journal, praised Platt's skilled use of illustration and text, which the critic felt "teaches a sophisticated form of literacy similar to" that provided with multimedia learning tools—an area in which Platt already had a great deal of writing experience. "Readers will delight in the colorful pictures and the text, which gives just enough information to satisfy curiosity," opined Voice of Youth Advo

Reviews

[sincerely]

I'm surprised TruthQuest history recommended this book. Maybe I'm too sensitive. I'll ask my husband. But this is super violent and gory with legs being sawed off and dead bodies thrown into the sea. Detailed and illustrated, I'm not sure it's beneficial reading for kids unless maybe they're enamored with the romanticized version of pirates lots of children have today? Not the right choice for my family. We will be reading A Pirate's Life for Me by Thompson and Macintosh instead. 7 and 8 years old.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was probably the the most historically accurate pirate book I've ever read. The author made talk of yard arms and ballast and boatswains seem way more interesting by informing us through the story of a 9-year-old boy who accidentally ends up working on a pirate ship.

The illustrations help a lot, especially with unfamiliar nautical terms - it's a lot easier to understand what a quarterdeck is when you just see a map of a ship and have it pointed out. The battles seem a lot more gripping (and terrifying) with the illustrations, too.

All my kids (ages 5-9) were riveted, and I enjoyed reading it aloud, too. It may not be appropriate for younger children due to realistic pirate elements (a skeleton in a gibbet, an amputation, use of mild curses, etc), but I highly recommend it for older kids interested in PIRATES (and adults who want their kids to know what pirates were REALLY like).

[Duane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a excellent book for anyone who is interested in the life of pirates and anyone who voyaged on sailing ships. Great illustrations and vivid desciptions make this book a great read for anyone.

[Essie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ещё не было середины книги, как почувствовав тошноту в третий раз за страницу, я полезла проверять, а точно рейтинг 12+?.. Я, похоже, нежная роза, потому что часто моргала на фразах в детской книге: «Остальную кровь можно просто собрать в ведро» или «Барт продел последний шов (савана) через ноздрю, чтобы убедиться, что он мёртв, а не спит».
Кажется, Р.Л. Стивенсон врал нам про пиратов (что они няши)..

Рисунки - круто (привет, Ридделл!). Обучение корабельному делу - круто.

[Emilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was like a 4.5 for me, because, while it was really nteresting with all the explanations and details, it wasn't super exciting in the way that other authors just draw you in. Readers who like pouring over the maps at the front of fantasy novels might enjoy this book, and the others in the series. It's very informational in narrative form.

[Melissa Namba · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great recreation of what might have prompted young colonists to become pirates. I live the end where there is a synopsis of the history of piracy as well as a list of famous pirates. a great start for a child working on a research report on pirates.

[Ellen Williams-Sharkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would be a good book for children to read themselves and look at the pictures if they’re interested in pirates. Could be used if teaching about pirates as there are lots of facts. However, there is lots of writing and wouldn’t be appropriate as a book to read to the class.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short, but relatively challenging read for young readers, this is a compelling story based on real life stories about pirates in the 1700s. Children will likely need support to use the glossary and understand the old fashioned language.

[Apzmarshl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a good book, but I love history. The boys were a little bored at times. Jake was a 10 year old boy. His dad sent him to sea in 1716. His merchant ship was attacked and taken over by pirates.

[Tabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone interested in pirates this is a fun read with some interesting info on real pirates at the end of the book.

[Jbondandrews · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations were amusing and the story was okay though it did wrap up in a little package but a somewhat far-fetched ending.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to say many of the same things about Pirate Diary as I said about Castle Diary, so if you've read that review, you really don't need to read this one. Reading this book brought me back to when I was younger and devoured as many books exactly like this as I could. Nothing brings history into the mind and heart of a kid better than telling it through the story of a kid their age. And pirates were definitely (and still to some extent) one of my particular interests. The thing this book does best, however, is demonstrate how much research and time and effort and love went into creating it. The details in the text and illustration couldn't've been thrown together half-heartedly. A book crafted with that kind of attention is a true gift.

[Hava · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked this book out of the library because I'd read another book by Richard Platt and had really enjoyed it. Well, he certainly didn't disappoint here!

"Pirate Diary" is historical fiction - the main protagonist (Jake Carpenter) is fiction, but most of what he sees and what happens to him is based on fact. I loved the way the book was set up (as a diary, instead of Jake simply narrating the story) and the illustrations were WONDERFUL! I have never been someone to be fascinated by pirates (they're fine, don't get me wrong, I'm just not enthralled with them) but "Pirate Diary" captured my attention anyway, and made me late to work a couple of times because I wanted to read "just one more page."

Richard Platt also did a "Castle Diary" - I'm going to have to check that one out too.

[Matt Cooley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never seen such incredible, action packed and gloriously detailed illustrations from Chris Riddell before, a shame they are not in colour!

I think the character has clear potential for a franchise, if he could again be persuaded to go to sea. However, unless the pace and sense of excitement is sustained for longer periods I may not bother. The story is written in diary form and seems to gloss over key emotional reactions from the characters and despite a peppering of similes and powerful verbs and adjectives, Platt's descriptions don't deliver in terms of detail- fizzling out before they have a chance to establish momentum.

A good book for 7-10 years olds.

[Peggy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic! The story of young Jake Carpenter is a picture book written in diary form that reads like a chapter book. Not only are the story and illustrations fascinating, but they are also historically accurate. It is recommended for age 9-11, but I read it to my 7-year-old and he loved it... and so did I. Highly recommended!

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story of a young boy who goes to sea and ends up on a pirate ship. Gives a brief history of piracy at the end. Great, colorful illustrations with some double page ones.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those fiction books that tells lots of facts, with lots of good pictures. I think kids would like it.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun pictures (though somewhat graphic at times - which Noah loved) and interesting perspective on real piracy in the 18th century.

[Michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really bloody

[Ratforcekids]

Join Jake Carpenter, a nine-year-old boy who finds himself on a pirate ship. There’s lots of adventure and excitement.

[Angie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fun! Lots of pictures with a large diagram of what a ship looks like. My pirate-loving-boys were in heaven.

[Twig · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely little story and a new book for my Chris Riddell colletction.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Greenaway Award