Jack Plank Tells Tales (by Natalie Babbitt)
common sense media says
An ex-pirate spins captivating yarns.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that mentions of the pirates' crimes and nasty habits are minimal, and a few scenes show their gentler sides. References to violence are non-graphic and brief, including scenes in which a pirate captain threatens to shoot one of his cowardly crewmen, treasure hunters are found stabbed, and an ancient Egyptian king gets his hand chopped off. In one tale a girl in her early teens gets married, but this fits the 18th-century Caribbean setting. Pirates drink rum and beer.
Violence:
No graphic descriptions of violence, but there are mentions of pirate acts such as shootings and stabbings and a hand that gets chopped off.
Sex:
Not applicable.
Language:
Not applicable.
Consumerism:
Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Two mentions of pirates drinking rum/beer.
More on Jack Plank Tells Tales
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Most useful reviews by all members
BlueJade
parent of 11 year old
parent of 11 year old
Great twist on pirate stories
This book was on an assigned reading list for fourth and fifth graders. It was not a typical pirate book, as the main character wants to stop being a pirate and figure out what else he should do. So the story is less about pillaging and more about finding out how people fit in. The book has several funny parts. A 9-year-old boy really enjoyed this, more than he thought. The language is not too difficult
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peony
parent of 10 and 12 year old
parent of 10 and 12 year old
mild pirate tales
Fairly restrained, non-graphic pirate stories, so it's okay for younger kids (7+).
The resolution of Jack Plank's future is likely affirming for kids with literary or artistic interests.
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