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Pirates

(2006, Non-Fiction - History, Written by John Matthews)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Pirate thrills may be too much for some kids.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 8–10

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Robbing, gambling, drinking, and fighting.

  • Violence:

    True tellings of the violent lives of historical pirates, illustrations of weapons include splashes of blood underneath knives and axes.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Two pictures from Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean franchise start and end the book.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Inclusion of a recipe for "grog" (a rum drink), a mention of gambling and brothels.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Pirates

Parents need to know that this look at historical pirate life includes discussion of torture, execution, and war. Illustrations of weapons include splashes of blood underneath knives and axes. The book also includes a recipe for grog (a rum drink) and a mention of gambling and brothels.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the lure of pirate life and its consequences. Why are pirates romanticized? Can they think of other examples of bad guys who are celebrated in movies and books? Does knowing the truth about pirates make them more or less interesting?
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