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
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.