The Sands of Shark Island (School Ship Tobermory) - Hardcover

McCall Smith, Alexander

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0399554017 ISBN 13: 9780399554018

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2017

Synopsis

Imagine going to school on a boat! The rip-roaring excitement continues in the second volume of this adventure-mystery series set on the high seas, from the author of the beloved No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency!
 
Ben and Fee MacTavish and their schoolmates on board the School Ship Tobermory are headed thousands of miles from their base in Mull to a small island in the Caribbean. They will learn extraordinary details about Captain Macbeth’s past and come face to face with modern-day pirates. The students and crew aboard the Tobermory will have to band together and use their wits to escape harm and overcome the evil pirates.

About this title

About the Author

ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH is the author of the bestselling No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series. He has also written over thirty books for younger readers, including a series featuring the young Precious Ramotswe, one of the world’s most famous fictional private detectives. Visit him online at alexandermccallsmith.com and on Facebook, and follow him on Twitter at @McCallSmith.


IAIN McINTOSH’S illustrations have won awards in the worlds of advertising, design, and publishing. He has illustrated many of Alexander McCall Smith’s books.

Reviews

Gr 4–6—School-age readers who dream of attending classes full-time on a boat that sails around the world will appreciate the second book in this series by the author of the popular adult mystery titles "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency." In this sequel, the brother/sister duo Ben and Fee lead their schoolmates on yet another adventure, this time to the Caribbean. The book begins by reintroducing all the main characters from the first entry (making it easy for readers to jump into the series) and explaining all the details of the ship and its crew. The first adventure takes place on land during the schoolmates' two-week vacation when they rescue Tanya from being retaken from her cruel aunt and uncle (a story from the first book). Then they set sail for the Caribbean Islands. Each day is filled with regular school lessons in the morning and afternoon sessions on seafaring. It's almost perfect except for clashes with William Edward Hardtack and his gang, who always seem to get away with bullying and cheating. When the Tobermory docks in Green Bay Island, a new mate, Mike, comes aboard, and the crew are led into more dangerous journeys. Readers will love the fast-paced tale and fascinating locations. As an added bonus, instructional details of seafaring are woven seamlessly into the plot. Graphic-style illustrations by McIntosh supplement the text. VERDICT New readers and students familiar with the first volume will enjoy this sequel and be eager for the next installment.—Anne Jung-Mathews, Plymouth State University, NH

Edition details

• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0399554017
• ISBN 13: 9780399554018
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256