Magic Marks the Spot

The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates, Book 1

By: Caroline Carlson

Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren

Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Finalist, Children's Titles for Ages 8-12, 2014

Admiral Westfield sucked in his breath and released it in a tremendous gust. "My dear," he said, "let me be clear: You are a young lady. You will not tell silly tales and you will never be a pirate."

Hilary Westfield has always dreamed of being a pirate. She can tread water for 37 minutes. She can tie a knot faster than a fleet of sailors. She particularly enjoys defying authority, and she already owns a rather pointy sword. There's only one problem: The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates refuses to let any girl join their ranks of scourges and scallywags.

Girls belong at Miss Pimm's Finishing School for Delicate Ladies, learning to waltz, faint, and curtsy. But Hilary and her dearest friend, the gargoyle, have no use for such frivolous lessons - they are pirates! (Or very nearly.)

To escape from a life of petticoats and politeness, Hilary answers a curious advertisement for a pirate crew and suddenly finds herself swept up in a seafaring adventure that may or may not involve a map without an X, a magical treasure that likely doesn't exist, a rogue governess who insists on propriety, a crew of misfit scallywags, and the most treacherous - and unexpected - villain on the High Seas.

Will Hilary find the treasure in time? Will she become a true pirate after all? And what will become of the gargoyle?

©2013 Caroline Carslon (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

slow start but we enjoyed

listened to this with my 9yr old DS & 7 yrs old DD. It was slow to start/engage us but once it got going we enjoyed it & the kids are excited to listen to the next book. It was funny & not so predictable

Great

The best book ever since it' bin published.Very fun and exciting.Should make another book For Backspace

Very entertaining book amazingly performed

My seven-year-old twins chose this just because they enjoyed another book read by the same reader. I tried to tell them that that was a poor way to pick a book, but as usual they turned out to be right and I was wrong. We loved every minute of it. The narrator's voice characterizations are unbelievable.

Fun! This is a real adventure

Would you listen to Magic Marks the Spot again? Why?

Katherine Kellgren gives a wonderful performance as she narrates this tale of the high seas. It was a pure delight!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Magic Marks the Spot?

Hard to pick just one and not give away the story. Hillary leaving to join the Very Nearly Honorable League got me hooked, but the adventure continued.

What about Katherine Kellgren’s performance did you like?

Her different voices for the characters.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Spunky heroine take sail!

A pure delight!

Would you consider the audio edition of Magic Marks the Spot to be better than the print version?

I listened to the audio version, as I do a LOT of driving. KK's performance is truly a delight to hear. CC's writing is superb, and I did not want the story to end.
I anxiously await #2 in this piratical series!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hillary. I have a soft spot in my heart for a tough girl with a conscience.

What does Katherine Kellgren bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The character's voices are superb!

Very Nearly the Best Book of the Year

Would you consider the audio edition of Magic Marks the Spot to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version. We enjoy audio books because we can enjoy them together as a family.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Magic Marks the Spot?

Hillary's first sword fight as a pirate. She used all of her pirate training as well as a few tricks picked up at finishing school.

What does Katherine Kellgren bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I read to my children with voices, but I could never keep up with all of the passion of Kellgren. Every person was unique, but no one was so over the top that they were annoying. She had great energy that drove the story. I didn't want to stop the van and miss a minutes. I hope she narrates the rest of the series.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

When you are finished with finishing school, try piracy.

Any additional comments?

We loved this book. It is one of the best listens we have ever had. I thought it was an old plot, 'Girl forgoes high society for adventure." However, this story was very original and had more than enough plot twists to keep even parents engaged.

Witty and fun!

What a delightful rollicking adventure this book is! Readers and listeners will enjoy the various personalities and publications that make up the fabric of the book. Ridiculous to the point of making sense, Augusta is a Victorianesque society with rules and regulations, but that won't stop young Hilary Westfield from becoming a pirate rather than a finishing school girl. The narrator really makes this audiobook a joy to listen to, from her high society ladies, to one-legged Jones, to the voice of the Augusta Scuttlebutt (where society turns for scandal!) she brings all the personalities fully to life.

Great book

The story is great. The narrator did an amazing job. My 12 and 10 year boys loved it and are looking forward to listening to book 2

Great for whole family

It's tough to find a book appropriate for kids yet entertaining for adults. This is! I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the reader.

Adventure on the High Seas

Where does Magic Marks the Spot rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I listened to this book with my 7 year old daughter and we both loved it. The characters are so loveable and the story was exciting and fun. The narrator does a great job with the character voices too.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hilary Westfield was our favorite character. She felt very relatable and my daughter thought she was wonderful.

What about Katherine Kellgren’s performance did you like?

The narrator does a fabulous job with the voices. She has a wonderful accent, great tone, and inflections.