NonFiction Annotations: Pirate Queens

 

Pirate Queens by Leigh Lewis, Sara Gomez Woolley (Illustrator)

"Of marauding men at sea, many books have told the tale. But of all the pirates in all the world, the most FEARSOME were FEMALE..." (Lewis, 2022, p. 6). 

"This book is a reminder that women have made their mark in every area throughout time, even when it wasn't documented. It's reclaiming of space for ladies who have too long been written out of history" (Lewis, 2022, p. 9). 

Author: Leigh Lewis

Illustrator: Sara Gomez Woolley 

Publication Date: 2022

Number of Pages: 64

Edition: Hardcover

Geographical Setting: Caribbean Sea, Irish Sea, Ireland, Morccorro, Norway, Greece, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Pacific Sea

Time Period: ca 520-460 B.C, 400-420, 1485-1561, 1530-1603, 1702-1782, 1775-1844

Plot Summary: 

Six pirate queens who dominated the sea and the land are explored in this beautifully illustrated book, which spans centuries in a short novella. These women refused to let social rules dictate their lives and found freedom on the high seas. It even explores the most proficient pirate in history: Ching Shih. She had a fleet of 80,000 men and women, while Blackbeard only had a fleet of 800. 

Each women's section begins with a beautiful illustration of the pirate queen about to be explored. The description section then starts with a verse about their career as pirates, whether that means a sonnet or a haiku. Their history is explored, with the main focus being their pirate career, but it also includes their marital status and significant factors in their life. Historical artifacts related to the women are shown and explained as well. 

Subject Heading: 

NonFiction, Pirates, Women Studies, Young Adult

NonFiction Appeals

The Adventure Genre

"These story-centered accounts focus on the details of exotic places and the tribulations of a journey, making them excellent suggestions for Adventure readers" (Wyatt, 2017, p. 22). 

Pirate Queens spans centuries and focuses on different locations around the globe. It makes each section a new and exciting place to explore, especially since each location has different political and social expectations. The illustrations bring each section alive with the depth and color of the pirate queen's life. 

Poetry

"These story-centered accounts focus on the details of exotic places and the tribulations of a journey, making them excellent suggestions for Adventure readers" (Wyatt, 2017, p. 23). 

Each section begins with a type of poetry, easy rhymes that can be memorized for each historic woman. It's a great way to summarize their lives as pirates, which included adventure, war, and travel. It's a short but memorable way to describe the main conflict in their lives while also personalizing it to each woman. 

Illustrated Books

"These story-centered accounts focus on the details of exotic places and the tribulations of a journey, making them excellent suggestions for Adventure readers" (Wyatt, 2017, p.161). 

Adventure and travel are better understood with some type of visual effect, such as illustrations that depict an important scene or person. The illustrations allow the readers to create a story in their heads and move the story to a more in-depth story. Pirate queens and their lives are not only described but shown through the illustrations and historical artifacts. 

3 terms that best describe this book:

Women-power, historical illustrations, informative

NonFiction Read-Alikes: 

Galaxy Girls: 50 Amazing Stories of Women in Space by Libby Jackson

Jackson, L. (2018). Galaxy girls: 50 amazing stories of women in space. Harper Design. 

Common Appeals: 

Feminism, Colorful illustrations, Young Adults

Bad Girls Throughout History: 100 Remarkable Women Who Changed the World by Ann Shen

Shen, A. (2016). Bad girls throughout history: 100 remarkable women who changed the world. Chronicle Books. 

Common Appeals:

Powerful Women, International, Adversity

Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World by Pénélope Bagieu

Bagieu, P. (2018). Brazen: rebel ladies who rocked the world. First Second. 

Common Appeals:

Rebel Women, Biography, Spirit

References

Bagieu, P. (2018). Brazen: rebel ladies who rocked the world. First Second.

Jackson, L. (2018). Galaxy girls: 50 amazing stories of women in space. Harper Design.

Lewis, L. (2022). Pirate queens: Dauntless women who dared to rule the high seas. National Geographic Kids. 

Shen, A. (2016). Bad girls throughout history: 100 remarkable women who changed the world. Chronicle Books.

Wyatt, N., & Saricks, J. G. (2019). The readers' advisory guide to genre fiction (3rd ed.). American Library Association.