What do you think?
Rate this book
Pirate School #1
The Curse of Snake Island
The pirate ship’s first mate, Rotten Tooth, sees Pete and his friends more as an annoyance than pirates in training. As the ship heads toward Snake Island, Pete has an idea to earn some respect—if the kids can find the hidden treasure before the grown-ups, then they’ll have to be taken seriously! Only one problem: The treasure is guarded by a giant snake that curses anyone who looks in its eyes. Can the pirate kids find the treasure, earn the pirates’ respect, and escape certain death?
64 pages, Paperback
First published April 19, 2007
6 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Brian James
111 books228 followersI've written numerous children's books, including the Pirate School series and the Catkid series. I'm also the author of several novels: Pure Sunshine; Tomorrow, Maybe; Perfect World; Dirty Liar; Thief; Zombie Blondes; The Heights.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 2, 2009
This was a good book to start off chapter books with my 6-year old. The chapters are short (about 3 pages, with an illustration in each chapter) and he could read the first paragraph or two and then I could continue. It had a simple plot, and I'm always looking for chapter books for him that have good "boy-appeal." (He enjoyed this much more than the Ramona book we read.) There are more books in the series and he has requested that we continue, and that's evidence to me that this one was worthwhile.
May 18, 2009
Kids attending pirate school want to learn more than how to clean up the ship so they develop a plan to find treasure and prove that they are pirate-worthy. Beginning chapter book series. Adventurous and funny.
July 2, 2018
A group of kids leave their own ships to attend pirate school, but all they've learned is how to clean. They decide to prove their worth by finding some treasure. Easy read: some pictures, nice and short. Good mix of characters who work together.
April 19, 2020
Read to 1st and 2nd graders. It was an ok book for their grade.
July 1, 2020
A cute story about pirates and the school they attend to learn to be pirates.
Simple text and a quick story makes this a good book for 2nd grade to 4th grade.
Simple text and a quick story makes this a good book for 2nd grade to 4th grade.
May 17, 2024
Graham enjoyed it. It wasn’t my favorite to read aloud 🤪
January 24, 2009
When I first heard of this series, I was sure it would be a hit, because who doesn't like pirates?
Recently, I was lucky enough to meet and spend the day with Brian James, who was doing a couple of programs for my Library, so I got to hear the inside scoop on all the books, which makes reading them even more fun.
As the series starts off, pirate-hopefuls Pete, Inna, Vicky, Aaron and Gary all left their respective ships behind to come crew the Sea Rat, whose Captain---Stinky Beard---wanted to start a Pirate School. Rotten Tooth, the best pirate on the ship, was given the job of being their teacher. He didn't much appreciate the job, so his students had yet to learn anything much more than how to clean and stay out of his way. But they were determined to find a way to make him see that they were ready to be real pirates.
After a number of backfired plans, the group strikes gold: the crew is set to take off on a Treasure Hunt on Snake Island. The kids seek out Clegg, the pirate who knows all, to ask him about the curse of the snake of Snake Island. They also copy themselves the treasure map. Then, with permission from the captain to camp on the beach for the night, they're set to try and save the day. The plan? Get that treasure first! And prove they're ready to be pirates.
Recently, I was lucky enough to meet and spend the day with Brian James, who was doing a couple of programs for my Library, so I got to hear the inside scoop on all the books, which makes reading them even more fun.
As the series starts off, pirate-hopefuls Pete, Inna, Vicky, Aaron and Gary all left their respective ships behind to come crew the Sea Rat, whose Captain---Stinky Beard---wanted to start a Pirate School. Rotten Tooth, the best pirate on the ship, was given the job of being their teacher. He didn't much appreciate the job, so his students had yet to learn anything much more than how to clean and stay out of his way. But they were determined to find a way to make him see that they were ready to be real pirates.
After a number of backfired plans, the group strikes gold: the crew is set to take off on a Treasure Hunt on Snake Island. The kids seek out Clegg, the pirate who knows all, to ask him about the curse of the snake of Snake Island. They also copy themselves the treasure map. Then, with permission from the captain to camp on the beach for the night, they're set to try and save the day. The plan? Get that treasure first! And prove they're ready to be pirates.
January 1, 2011
This was an ebook title that intrigued me on the library site, and wasn't checked out like all the other ones were!
Unfortunately, it's only mediocre. Not a book anyone older than a kid would get much enjoyment out of.
Pete is the narrator and the leader of a group of five kids. One guess what the gender makeup of that group is. Who have somehow ended up on a ship designated as a 'pirate school'. The exact background and concept is never sufficiently explained to me.
They're not actually taught anything, because Rotten Tooth, who's supposed to be teaching them, would rather not be teaching them, so he just makes them do chores. So they're all setting out to prove they're worthy of being real pirates and taught to be so, and not just do chores. (What do they think pirates do all day on a ship anyway?)
While there are girls, there's not a lot of challenging of gender stereotypes going on here. One is a girly girl who's afraid of icky things, snakes, bugs, etc. The other is a twin whose defining characteristic is that her hair is longer than her brother's. The adult pirates that are mentioned are all male. Until a little bit at the end.
Concept of a pirate school? Awesome. Execution? Lousy.
Unfortunately, it's only mediocre. Not a book anyone older than a kid would get much enjoyment out of.
Pete is the narrator and the leader of a group of five kids. One guess what the gender makeup of that group is. Who have somehow ended up on a ship designated as a 'pirate school'. The exact background and concept is never sufficiently explained to me.
They're not actually taught anything, because Rotten Tooth, who's supposed to be teaching them, would rather not be teaching them, so he just makes them do chores. So they're all setting out to prove they're worthy of being real pirates and taught to be so, and not just do chores. (What do they think pirates do all day on a ship anyway?)
While there are girls, there's not a lot of challenging of gender stereotypes going on here. One is a girly girl who's afraid of icky things, snakes, bugs, etc. The other is a twin whose defining characteristic is that her hair is longer than her brother's. The adult pirates that are mentioned are all male. Until a little bit at the end.
Concept of a pirate school? Awesome. Execution? Lousy.
December 16, 2013
I chose this as one of my books to read for a teachers as readers book group. The group is reading books that are similar to other books so we can suggest new titles to our student readers who love magic tree house etc. Tis book is a step up in reading level from mth. It has nine chapters, about eight pages per chapter and frequent pictures. He story line was pretty cheesy and did not have factual info to learn. However, those students who like predictable story lines with known characters will appreciate this series. It is about a group of five kids who left their family pirate ships to join a ship that is having a pirate school. The first mate is the teacher and does not like kids nor want the responsibility of teaching them. They all go to snake island to look for treasure, the adult pirates are cursed and of course the kids save the day. It took me twenty minutes to read. To me it was boring but I can see that second graders might like it.
February 2, 2024
Pete, Inna, Gary, and Vicky and Aaron (the twins) are training to be pirates abroad the ship Sea Rat. Captain Stinky Beard puts first mate, Rotten Tooth, in charge of the pirates-in-training. So far, all Rotten Tooth has taught them is to swab deck. Pete convinces the group that they need to prove that they're brave enough to be pirates. Pete decides that they will find the treasure on Snake Island before the rest do. As the Sea Rat sails for the island, the pirates-in-training sneak into the captain's quarters and copy the treasure map. They get permission to sleep on the island’s beach so they can slip away and follow the map. They certainly didn’t bargain for the giant snake guarding the treasure.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
November 28, 2007
These pirates are completely scrubbed clean of all the bad reality of pirates. In this book the worst we see is one pirate that is grumpy, gives the kids chores instead of teaching them to be pirates - as he is supposed to, doesn't have good grammer and needs a bath. They are searching for buried treasure, no stealing or murderous intentions. I find the artwork in this book charming.
I think only parents who don't want their children exposed to the issue of pirates at all - even with all the nasty facts of pirates removed, or those who would prefer their children not be confused by unreal versions of pirates - would object to this story.
I think only parents who don't want their children exposed to the issue of pirates at all - even with all the nasty facts of pirates removed, or those who would prefer their children not be confused by unreal versions of pirates - would object to this story.
February 20, 2010
My 4-year-old loves these books--can't get enough of them. My husband and I get to read them over and over. I'm getting somewhat tired of pirates, but at least I don't find the writing annoying.
I think that what she really likes about them is the idea of kids being independent (except for the cranky pirate Rotten Tooth that teaches them) and the many opportunities to see kids save the day. They usually get lots of laughs, as well.
The pirates in these books are sanitized. They don't go around killing and maiming. They buy their food from the store. Not terribly realistic, but more appropriate for 4-year-olds, in my opinion.
I think that what she really likes about them is the idea of kids being independent (except for the cranky pirate Rotten Tooth that teaches them) and the many opportunities to see kids save the day. They usually get lots of laughs, as well.
The pirates in these books are sanitized. They don't go around killing and maiming. They buy their food from the store. Not terribly realistic, but more appropriate for 4-year-olds, in my opinion.
December 21, 2012
The boys LOVE pirates and Kile had a pirate birthday party earlier this year. Aunt Jenn gave him this book and both boys enjoyed it. It was a quick read with plenty of pictures. Pete and his friends live aboard the ship called the Sea Rat. They are learning to be pirates, but first mate Rotten Tooth is always trying to foil their plans. They decide to prove their worth as pirates by discovering treasure on Snake Island. Will they be able to get past the scary snake guarding the treasure?
January 28, 2011
My son who is nine and my daughter who is 6 love these books. We read them as a family and can't stop laughing. They are funny, full of adventure and have great characters. We own all 8 books and can't wait until more come out.
February 12, 2011
Hoping to be taken seriously by Rotten Tooth, who is supposed to be training them to be pirates, nine-year-old Pete leads his friends in an attempt to beat the grown-ups in finding the treasure buried on Snake Island and stealing it from the giant snake that guards it.
MTH read-a-like
MTH read-a-like
August 20, 2011
This is a beginning chapter book with a lackluster plot that has limited appeal outside of it's target audience. That said, it's sure to be a hit with beginning readers who are interested in pirates.
April 7, 2012
This is a 64 page chapter book for beginner readers and my 1st grader's first chapter book. It's a fun story without a lot of background info about kids on a pirate ship at "pirate school." It's great for it's target audience.
February 5, 2011
Great book for children with swashbuckling tales that will tickle your funny bone.
Read
July 29, 2011pirates are cool with kids now so they'll enjoy this tale of learning to be a pirate.
September 29, 2012
This is the first book in the Pirate School series. Can the pirate kids find the treasure? Join them on their adventurous search.
November 21, 2013
Definitely a book for a niche group. A beginning reader (boy or girl) who loves to say "avast" and "shiver me timbers" may get interested in this simple pirate adventure.
Recommended for grades 1-2
Recommended for grades 1-2
April 11, 2014
My 8 year old daughter devoured all 8 of the books in this series in a few days and loved them. I would guess most 6-9 year olds would enjoy these books - perhaps boys even more so?!?
January 27, 2016
I really enjoyed this book - fun characters & fun pirate talk. Fun adventure - perfect for 2-ish grade kids - girls or boys.
August 1, 2016
I love Pirate School Books this is cool
Want to Read
July 23, 2016RL 500
April 4, 2017
My 3 and 5 year olds really enjoy this series!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews