How I Became a Pirate

How I Became a Pirate
Written by Melinda Long
2003

Jeremy Jacob is busy building a sandcastle when he see a pirate ship approaching. He tries to tell his mom and dad but they're too busy being kicked in the mouth by his sister and getting eaten alive by the beach umbrella! The next thing he knows, the pirates are approaching land. They're quite impressed with Jeremy's digging skills and recruit his help in burying their treasure. Aboard the ship, he learns all about the life of a pirate, including the language. But after a long, stormy night, Jeremy realizes that being a pirate might not be all it's cracked up to be. When lightning splits the ship's mast in half, it's Jeremy that saves the day with an idea for where to bury it...his own backyard. It was a lot of work, but Jeremy Jacob did it...and even made it back in time for soccer practice.

This story takes the reader right into the imagination of young Jeremy Jacob. You can't help but believe that this is all really happening, and at least a little part of you wants to be a pirate too! Sometimes children aren't allowed or encouraged to use their imaginations as much as they should be, and this book would be a great way to change that...particularly if it's read with enthusiasm. Some of the best student writing I have seen has come directly out of a child's imagination, and Jeremy Jacob's story would be a great starting point.