Ok yes, we do know that pirates have been romanticised over the years and we also know that there are pirates in the modern world, including the ones in office politically but there is absolutely no denying that fictional pirates still hold a real fascination for readers both young and old. As it happens, three different piratical books came my way within a short space of time and given it would be way too overdue to wait for Talk Like a Pirate Day [one of my favourite celebrations for well over 20 years now], I am bringing them to you now – arggggghhhhhh 🏴☠️.
The Smuggler’s Curse – Norman Jorgensen
Fremantle Press
June 2026
ISBN 9781760996703
eISBN 9781925164220
RRP $19.99 AU
$24.00 NZ
$14.95 US
Ten years on from its first release, Norman Jorgensen’s The Smuggler’s Curse is one of those enduring books that retain both popularity, excitement and timeless quality. Over the years that I’ve been connected with Norman, I have seen just how many schools treasure this book both in their library collections and as a novel study.
Now, excitingly, a brand new edition with a fresh updated cover design will bring Red Read, Captain Black Bowen, Bosun Stevenson and the rest of the crew to a brand new audience.
And it’s easy to see why this retains its huge appeal as both independent and group reading. It not only encapsulates the ‘boys’ own’ adventure style of well-written narrative but explores the history and geography of the setting i.e. Broome and near neighbours such as Sumatra and Borneo. Both these make it an absolute natural for curriculum tie-ins.
Norman’s inspiration drawn from the master, Robert Louis Stevenson, and old matinee movies and their movie heroes [which those of us of a certain age remember well – both Norman and I fitting that demographic!] is evident and woven into this fast-paced action story with many intertextual references and in-jokes. The added allure of the mystery around the connection between Red and the Captain makes for tantalising debates and conjectures and there are many opportunities for scrutinising in that regard.
All in all, it’s almost as good as romp with Errol Flynn as Captain Blood himself [in a manner of speaking] and gets a rousing 5 🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️ rating from me for readers from around year 6 upwards.
I know there are younger readers enjoying it but erring on the side of caution as there are nuances of themes and concepts more suited to mature readers is my recommendation if you are, as yet, new to this book.
Captain Smellybottom and the Queen’s Lost Gold
Ray Willis
Boolarong Press
April 2026
ISBN: 9781923321281
RRP: $21.99
This is Ray Willis’ first book in an intended series with Boolarong Press and there’s an interesting back story. The genesis of the narrative was Ray telling stories to his own sons. It was not until Ray’s bout with some serious health issues that he considered turning these spoken stories into a publishable format. As someone who sort of ‘fell into’ getting my name on a published book (with a few more in the offing) in my late 60s, I can applaud someone pursuing this goal as a, let’s say ‘more mature debut author’.
The book is pitched at mid-primary readers and will greatly appeal to boys in particular, especially those who still find ‘fart/toilet’ humour hilarious. Unfortunately, this is not my style of comedy but regardless, there’s no doubt this will find an audience.
The bonus is that there is some historical reference interwoven as the setting revolves around the Victorian goldrush of the 19th century, with some nice details such as inclusion of the newly built railway [could nicely tie this in with recently reviewed Narm-Jaap: A Flinders Street Station History].
There are a few problems from my point of view with voice which is often not natural nor consistent with character. There is also an overabundance of ‘telling’ rather than ‘showing’ – it often gets excessively ‘wordy’ – as well as some incongruities at times e.g. interactions between different classes/social standings and ages, and I would suggest some greater attention to this in the editing stages for the next book.
In a similar vein to many classic pirate tales, a young boy, Mack, becomes embroiled with an intimidating, and very stinky, pirate – the titular Captain Smellybottom. When Mack uncovers details over a load of gold gone missing he is on his way to being a hero, but then there’s the complication of Smellybottom, a nefarious crew of pirates, a stolen map and a faraway island. All in all, it will be interesting to see how the series pans out and what further adventures await Mack and his magic parrot (yes, you did read that correctly!). I’m giving it a 3 🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️for confident readers from around Year 2 to Year 5ish.
The Unlucky Pirate:History Hunter series – Mark Greenwood
Fremantle Press
July 2026
ISBN: 9781760996536
RRP; $14.99
Mark Greenwood is a terrific history hunter and in this series continues his mission to bring history to young people via engaging narrative non-fiction, focusing on truly intriguing subjects.
Kidd is arguably the most unfortunate pirate of all time. While there is no doubt he was certainly guilty of being on the wrong side of the law at times, he was also cast as a villain by forces beyond his control and by the political ramifications that sealed his fate.
With fact, myth and legend colouring his life and career as well as the mystique of reputed buried treasure and the being the inspiration for such as Stevenson’s Treasure Island and many books, movies, video games and even music/songs in pop culture.
By contrast with the fictional pirate stories, this is an excellent piece to work on with students both primary and secondary to ‘sift the evidence’, research assiduisly, and debate ferociously – I could easily foresee a mock trial (arguably more even-handed than the farce poor Kidd was served up). These being short books they are quick reads but the possibilities for follow-up are almost endless. This is definitely a 5-gun salute 🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️for readers from around Year 4/5 upwards.
Watch the restored 1945 Captain Kidd movie with Charles Laughton and Randolph Scott – historical facts not necessarily guaranteed but there’s nothing quite like an old style pirate movie!
I have a particular soft spot for the fictional pirates – in fact, I even had a pirate wedding!- and once wrote my own story about a retired pirate who took up handcrafts in his landlubber days (uni Language and Literacy course – pity I don’t still have it though). These three were a welcome departure from some of the similar MG books that have been coming my way for a while now and would all make good additions to various shelves in your collection.
Just So Stories 
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