Common Sense Media Review
By Oliver Scout Guerisoli
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Playful, profound pirate tale has heart, violence, booze.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
As SCARLET MORNING opens, readers meet Viola and Wilmur, two teenage friends both orphaned and in possession of the most important book in all of Dickerson's Sea. When Captain Cadence Chase offers them a ride away from the grey and dying land of Caveat in exchange for this mysterious book, they eagerly join her eclectic pirate crew for the adventure of a lifetime. Navigating the complexity and uncertainty of this new seascape requires courage, creativity, trust, and the clear vision of children.
Is It Any Good?
This fantastic pirate adventure sets a new bar for YA fiction. Scarlet Morning, in all its written and illustrated glory, brings us an epic tale of playful and profound proportions. ND Stevenson (Nimona) has written a story as intense as it is whimsical, fearful as it is hopeful, and traditionally pirate-like as it is delightfully brand new. The diverse and rowdy cast of characters are sure to make readers smile, perhaps scratch their heads, and most importantly, find themselves, highlighting that the heroes of our world are not "lone" but part of a crew, working together—a powerful metaphor for our interconnected world. Stevenson does a remarkable job emphasizing the leadership of children, especially when we least expect it, and that sometimes the line between curse and blessing is thin. An empowering, gripping, and hilarious read that will be difficult to put down. It may just prove to be one of the best kids' series of this generation.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about chosen families in Scarlet Morning. What makes someone family? Do you consider anyone family who isn't related to you by blood? Why are they family to you?
Talk about taking different perspectives. What do you see that others sometimes miss?
Leadership is a big theme in this story. When is the best age to be a leader? Which characters were leaders? What character strengths helped them be effective leaders? How did leaders in this book model courage, compassion, a willingness to work as a team, or perseverance?
Which stories of your family or community are your favorites? Who writes them? Are there any you would like to rewrite?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : ND Stevenson
- Genre : Adventure
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship , Pirates
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Curiosity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Quill Tree Books
- Publication date : September 23, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 432
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 25, 2025
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