"Join ElsBeth Amelia Thistle, Cape Cod's youngest witch, and her friends in the perilous sea rescue of a kidnapped Arabian prince. And along the way you, too, will learn the true meaning of the Legend of the Pirate!"--Page 4 of cover.
Recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award honoring excellence and a 2015-2016 New Book Award winner. When Halloween approaches, a never-quite-forgotten pirate's treasure awakens some serious trouble in the sleepy Cape Cod town. ElsBeth Amelia Thistle, who happens to be the youngest witch on the Cape, and her friend Johnny Twofeathers, chief-to-be of the local Wampanoag tribe — together with a cast of spirited classmates and curious magical creatures (including two troublesome fairies from the old country) — must face off against dangerous outsiders, and the notorious pirate Billy Bowlegs, to restore the balance of past and present, good and evil. Includes nineteen full-color illustrations. Ypulse Book Editor (subsequently with Publishers Weekly): I don't usually do this, but Pirate's Treasure got such rave reviews from my two nephews and my sister I felt I had to pass it on. What makes my nephews' recommendations so remarkable is that they're sort of reluctant readers. One in particular devours comics but mostly 'reads' the illustrations. 'Star Wars' books are their favorites. And hey, anytime two boys jump up and down (literally) and implore me to read something, I listen. My nephew said all of the kids in his third grade class love this book, bar none. My sister said they read it aloud together as a family and she thought it was fabulous, too. Really fabulous, and they all can't wait for the next one. It's like "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" crossed with Sarah Plain and Tall—sort of. Earthy and homemade feeling, the writing and story read like local folklore but with contemporary characters. I can see why it's a hit with younger readers and I, too, liked it a lot. Reading ElsBeth and the Pirate's Treasure made me wonder—what exactly made this work for both the girls and boys in my nephew's posse? Is it the fact that ElsBeth's class share the spotlight and together are the main characters? I wish there were more titles that crossed gender lines. We talk a lot about finding books that boys will like because they are traditionally harder readers to please, but what about books that boys and girls can enjoy together? Maybe books that simply allow girls and boys to share the stage is the answer.
When Halloween approaches, Cape Cod's youngest witch finds a pirate's legend has never been forgotten, and it takes all of ElsBeth's skill to get her friends out of serious trouble - magical and not.
Recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award honoring excellence and a 2015-2016 New Book Award winner. (Originally published as The Cape Cod Witch and the Legend of the Pirate.) On a field trip to Boston's historic Freedom Trail, ElsBeth and her classmates encounter a famous freedom fighter, the ghostly Captain Thomas Jacques, who spirits them across treacherous waters to Nantucket Island — in the daring rescue attempt of a kidnapped, modern-day Arabian prince. Along the way they find out about fighting for freedom and caring for something bigger than themselves. Readers also discover a treasure chest of historical nuggets and Cape and Islands lore, together with a brief sketch of the authentic pirates featured in Books I and II. Includes twenty-three original color illustrations. Odyssey Reviews: This story is filled to the brim with adventure, plenty of vivid and likable characters (even the cranky teacher, Ms. Finch) and topped with history and important environmental lessons for the young reader. ElsBeth serves as a lovely example of a tenacious and passionate girl, who is able to navigate and overcome some fairly scary adversities to positively help those in need in the end. Finally, illustrator Melanie Therrien has also returned to include her vibrant pictures that add a perfect touch and emphasis to this Cape Cod Witch Series. And if that's not enough to capture a reader's attention, there is real history information and recipes tucked in the back of the book. The treasures in this tale will undoubtedly capture young readers' hearts, as they wonder what will happen next, and should definitely not be passed over.
On a field trip to Boston's historic Freedom Trail, a classmate from a royal family is kidnapped. The young Cape Cod witch enlists the ghost of a famous sea captain to lead a dangerous chase all the way to Nantucket Island. Along the way they find out about fighting for freedom and caring for something bigger than themselves.
The lively ghosts found on this magical, mysterious Massachusetts island include a pirate, a preacher, a witch, a whaling captain, and a sea captain's wife. The area's history stretches back to the Indians of thousands of years ago, to the Vikings, to the Pilgrims, until the present day. This book highlights the most interesting stories, featuring such sites as a haunted rare-books store, several inns, a guesthouse, a tavern, and a theater.
An intriguing exploration into the maritime legend of a young witch and an English pirate, “a love story layered in truth, wrapped in a mystery” (Cape Cod Travel Guide Blog). Venture back to 1715, when a fifteen-year-old Cape Cod girl named Maria Hallett was seduced by a twenty-six-year-old Englishman named Samuel Bellamy. Bellamy soon left her to become one of the most infamous pirates of his day—Black Sam Bellamy. Maria remained on the Cape but was forced to live in solitude after giving birth to Bellamy’s child. Two years later, Bellamy returned to his love, and Maria watched from the dunes as his flagship, the Whydah, sank in the worst nor’easter in the history of the Cape. The legend of Maria Hallett has been passed down for over two hundred years, and Cape Cod writer Kathleen Brunelle brings a fresh breath of sea air to this epic tale in her search for Bellamy’s bride. “Brunelle delves into vital records, previous versions of the story, history, genealogy, and mythology, attempting to determine what is truth and what is embellishment. Read this fascinating study and decide for yourself.” —You’re History! “Brunelle has been through numerous sources and uses text and antique drawings to explore how the relationship might have unfolded as Bellamy trolled the waters off Cape Cod and Maria waited on shore for his return.” —Cape Cod Times
Set in the early 1700s, this fictional account of the pirate Samuel Bellamy chronicles his lust for gold; for the accused witch, Mariah Hallett; and for the treasure ship, the Whydah. Sam Bellamy's simple quest to find enough lost Spanish treasure to offer Mariah a secure future quickly becomes an insatiable desire for gold. For eighteen months he sails the Caribbean under the black flag, allowing this means to an end-this sweet trade of piracy-to claim him. In February, 1717, he seizes the Whydah, a slave ship returning to England with incredible riches in her hold. With more than enough plunder to line his pockets, he turns the Whydah north to Cape Cod and his greatest prize, Mariah. While Sam is away, Mariah Hallett's secret is discovered and she is not only charged with murder, but faces accusations of witchcraft, as well. Confronting a harsh winter and an uncertain future, she struggles to survive alone on the rough Cape Cod moor that edges the sea. With unshakable faith that Sam will return to her, she walks the cliffs overlooking the wild Atlantic and watches for his ship.
1717. Pirate Sam Bellamy's ship, The Whydah, terrorizes the Caribbean. Meanwhile, On Cape Cod, Bellamy's sweetheart Maria Hallett stands accused of witchcraft and native John Julian fights for his homeland.