Jacoby Blunt and Jasmine Peacock are students at an exclusive school for children who want to follow in their famous parent’s footsteps. This isn’t just any school, and the parents aren’t famous movie stars or musicians. In fact, actors and singers are a thing of the past, now that the oceans have risen, and so much more of the world belongs to pirates.

Jacoby, Jasmine and all of their classmates are all learning skills like knot tying, sailing, and sword fighting, so they can join their family dynasties that now roam the world’s seas and oceans. They all belong to the Pirate Federation, that now rules their watery world.

At age eleven, they have been with their classmates for years and have become a very tight-knit group of friends. They are treated well, train hard, and life is good with an exciting future ahead of them.

Jacoby is shocked to have his best friend suddenly taken out of school, with no sensible explanation. In his place comes a stranger who keeps to himself, not sharing his past. Blaming him for the loss of his friend, Jacoby is far from welcoming.

Jasmine also wonders where this stranger came from, but has her own worries. Her parents and their entire ship has vanished. Nobody knows where they are after they didn’t finish a sailing race.

Suspicion and confusion aren’t the only thing the New Kid on Deck brought with him though. He has a deadly secret, and it bursts open inside the school, bringing clashing swords and cannon balls!

The first book in a new exciting series, Pirate Academy (1) New Kid on Deck is fast paced, with short chapters, and perfect for reluctant readers. 

With likeable characters, tons of action and a mystery very early in the story, this middle-grade novel captures the reader quickly, and holds on through the adventure on land and sea.

Black and white illustrations by Teo Skaffa appear throughout the story, sharing the action, settings and villains of the tale.

Climb aboard Pirate Academy for a trip into a sword swishing series. 

Author – Justin Somper

Illustrator – Teo Skaffa

Age – 8+

(2025, Allen & Unwin, Third person, Pirates, Future, Control, Rebels, School, New Kid, Friendship, Teamwork, Sword play, Fighting, Kidnap, Sailing ships, Action, Adventure, Series, Courage, Secret, Mystery, Sailing, Ocean, Sea, Short Chapters)