The Stowaway: A Tale of California Pirates

This is a fabulous book for a 4th grade read. It's got pirates, history and facts. It is set in California in 1818 when Spain still ruled Alta California but Mexico was at war with Spain. The seat of government is Monterey and includes the missions. There are so many possible projects that can be done with this book I can't understand why it isn't a mandatory read for 4th grade curriculum.

In this book a twelve-year-old boy had lost his father from a battle on the Monterey, California. Pirates killed his father. They came they saw they burned down the whole town. But Carlito the twelve-year-old boy had swim to their boat. His purpose was to kill the pirate that stabbed his father. He wanted sweet vengeance that he got caught before he even got a figure on that person. So anyway he was taken to the bridge. He was made to clean the windows. He had gotten friends on the way. He was to be killed. Carlito is twelve as I said before. He was born in Monterey, California. He is Mexican so he speaks Spanish. His dad works as a fisherman. His and little sister work around the house. His uncle is also a fisherman by the way. He hangs around his friends all the time when he is not working. He is cool in the story like the part when he fights with a pirate. The problem is that he was taken away when he got on the pirate ship. He feels bad when he lost his father. The last problem is that he is really lonely and that he is treated bad. No one likes a happy boat especially the captain. He solves his problem by trying to make friends. And you know what he did. He never thought he would survive during working on the ship. He meets the person that killed his father in the battle. He let the guy live when a good ship found him on a island. I would recommend this book to people who like apple fiction books. Also to people that like adventure books with. I wouldn't recommend this book to people who don't like pirates. Also to people that hate bad things. It is a really good book for anyone. That's my book review.

Kristiana Gregory includes maps, a glossary of Spanish and English words and a note on the historical facts of this work. I listed all Challenging vocabulary in this novel and found 334 words to know! The novel is apt for those studying Alta California, the Spanish settlement of the New World, and the attacks of Bouchard the pirate on these settlements. The characterization is realistic. The protagonist struggles with himself over poor decisions and his determination to avenge his father's death. Life on a pirate ship is vividly described. Real life in the beginning of California is clearly portrayed. Danger and cooperation keep the reader fully engrossed in the adventure. Give it a try. It is a short read and adds to the imagination for what could be a dry subject.