Scallywag on the Salish Sea

Gr 2-5–A young boy ends up on a pirate ship after being purchased from the inn where he worked. Working in a kitchen led to his being called Kitch. But that’s not his real name—in fact, no one seems to know his actual name. Kitch goes to work in the ship’s kitchen with a pirate named Skullcap, cleaning fish for the crew. When he discovers valuable gems inside some of the fish, he attempts to use them to free himself. He informs Captain Gallows that there should be treasure in the place they caught the fish, but the captain decides not to tell the crew. Can Kitch find a way to obtain his freedom when he’s caught between the captain and the crew? This rather silly tale is implausible, with its absurd names and remarkable number of wooden legs. The gross details involving fish eyes, fish hearts, and maggots don’t add to the book, which relies far too much on coincidences and ridiculous behavior.