Fergus Crane has an almost ordinary life—attending school on the ship Betty Jeanne and helping his mother in the bakery. But then a winged mechanical horse appears and whisks Fergus off to meet his long-lost uncle. Not only that, he finds out that his teachers are not what they seem—they're actually pirates! Can Fergus save his schoolmates from the far-off Fire Island? Perfect for 8- to 12-year-old readers, this is a deliciously accessible story.

""Part Dickensian comedy, part pirate adventure.""--Publishers Weekly

“Another triumph for the Stewart-Riddell dream team.”—Independent (U.K.)

“A whirlwind adventure: five stars.”—www.cool-reads.co.uk

“Brilliantly inventive.”—Independent on Sunday (U.K.)

“Great fun to read aloud.”—The Scotsman (U.K.)


From the Hardcover edition.