#MG Review: Pirate Academy New Kid on Deck by Justin Somper, illustrated by Teo Skaffa

Buckle on your swords, pull on your leather boots, hoist the Jolly Roger and leap aboard this thrilling new middle grade adventure!

The year is 2507 and rising sea levels have ushered in a new golden age of piracy. The Pirate Federation controls the oceans and trains its youngsters at one of nine exclusive schools around the world. In this introductory book in what looks to be an exciting new series, we voyage to the Coral Sea Province location of the Pirate Academy and join the eleven-year-olds in Barracuda Class on a swashbuckling adventure. This book is buoyant with action, filled with clashing swords, competition and striving for mastery…and that’s just the activity in the Headcaptain’s study on parents’ day! Whilst the main child protagonists are the progeny of the fiercest and most successful pirates terrorising the oceans, and their teachers are also famous pirates, the Pirate Academy seems to be a civilised boarding school with a jolly appealing curriculum and strong friendships between the pupils.

However, below the surface, there are disturbances emerging in this carefully ordered society. Firstly, Jasmine Peacock’s parents’ ship which is usually the first to arrive for Captain’s Evening, has gone missing on the high seas. Then, Captain Raven Moon dramatically removes her son, Wing, from the Academy, telling his roommate Jacoby Blunt that “These are dangerous times to be a pirate”. Wing’s place amongst the Barracudas is taken by Neo Splice, who arrives in mysterious circumstances and arouses suspicion about his true identity. With rumours swirling of a spy at Pirate Academy and the emergence of The League of True Pirates, the aspiring youngsters need to call on all of their training and their bonds of friendship to swing into action and rescue their kidnapped classmates.

At just over 200 pages, with short chapters broken up with cartoon-style illustrations by Teo Skaffa, I am certain that Pirate Academy New Kid on Deck is destined to be a bit hit with readers of 8+. The story zips along at a terrific pace, the characters – both adult and child – are engaging and fun, and the plot keeps readers guessing until the very end to discover the first traitor at the Academy. With further books scheduled, the second is due to publish in August 2024, it’s time to enrol at Pirate Academy and learn what it takes to become a true pirate legend.

I am hugely grateful to Uclan Publishing and Antonia Wilkinson for sending me a proof copy of Pirate Academy New Kid on Deck ahead of publication on 7th March 2024.