Witches And Warlocks
Posted by alli on 08-18-2008
I don't usually do this, but The Cape Cod Witch and the Pirates Treasure got such rave reviews from my two nephews and my sister that I felt like I had to pass it on. What makes my nephews' recommendations so remarkable is that they're sort of reluctant readers. One in particular devours comics but mostly "reads" the illustrations. "Star Wars" Books are their favorites.
And hey, anytime two boys jump up and down (literally) and implore me to read something, I listen.
The other thing that made me pay special attention to their glowing reviews is that to the naked eye, this book would seem to be more attractive to girls. But really, a strong female protagonist and an exciting but not too scary story involving pirates and buried treasure, what's not to love? My nephew said all of the kids in his third grade class love this book, bar none.
Apparently the first of a series, my sister said they read it aloud together as a family and she thought it was fabulous too. Really fabulous, and they all can't wait for the next one.
Of course, I ran out and got a copy, and although it was published by a seemingly small local company, I found it. (Cape Cod. Maine. We're like cousins.)
It's a very fast and fun read. Elsbeth is a sweet character and I think she and her classmates are the reason my nephews and his friends liked it so much. It's like "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" crossed with Sarah Plain and Tall– sort of. Earthy and homemade feeling, the writing and story read like local folklore but with contemporary characters. I can see why it's a hit with younger readers and I too, liked it a lot. The action occurs a little late, but it's so short it still works.
Reading The Cape Cod Witch and the Pirates Treasure made me wonder — what exactly made this work for both the girls and boys in my nephew's posse? Is it the fact that Elsbeth's class share the spotlight and together are the main characters? At what age do boys and girls truly part ways in the book department? At what age do they stop sharing interest in the same titles? I wish there were more titles that crossed gender lines. We talk a lot about finding books that boys will like because they are traditionally harder readers to please, but what about books that boys and girls can enjoy together? Maybe books that simply allow girls and boys to share the stage is the answer.
