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 retains 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 whole 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 a romp with Errol Flynn aka 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, it is more suited to mature readers is my recommendation if you are, as yet, new to this book.
Review deleted after author decided to publically accuse me of dishonesty. Clearly he didn’t like the 3 star review. Full report of this incident on substack.
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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