Magic Marks the Spot

Pirates! Magic! Treasure! A gargoyle?!

Caroline Carlson's funny tween novel The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates #1: Magic Marks the Spot is perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events and Trenton Lee Stewart's Mysterious Benedict Society.

Hilary Westfield has always dreamed of a life of pirate adventure. She can tread water for thirty-seven minutes. She can tie a knot faster than a fleet of sailors, 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.

But Hilary is not the kind of girl to take no for answer. To escape a life of petticoats and politeness at her stuffy finishing school, Hilary sets out in search of her own seaworthy adventure, where she gets swept up in a madcap quest involving a map without an X, a magical treasure that likely doesn't exist, a hilarious talking gargoyle sidekick, a crew of misfit scallywags, and the most treacherous—and unexpected—villain on the High Seas.

Written with uproarious wit and an inviting storyteller tone, the first book in Caroline Carlson's quirky seafaring series is a middle grade fantasy tale like no other.

Hilary is determined to prove that girls can be pirates, too. What happens when she trades finishing school for the High Seas?

• A Fearless Heroine: Hilary Westfield can tie knots faster than a fleet of sailors and tread water for thirty-seven minutes. She’s ready to be a pirate, even if the boys’ club won’t let her in.
• A Magical Quest: Join a madcap search for a legendary treasure with a map that has no X, a crew of misfit scallywags, and an unexpected villain.
• Friendship and Found Family: From a stuffy finishing school to the High Seas, Hilary discovers that the best crew is the one you choose—especially when it includes a stone gargoyle with a lot to say.
• Laugh-Out-Loud Humor: A funny fantasy adventure perfect for kids who love witty characters, quirky situations, and a story that never takes itself too seriously.

Kids' Indie Next List Selection
Junior Library Guild Selection
BEA Middle Grade Editors' Buzz Pick
ABC New Voices Pick
ABC Best Books for Children

Do you dare join the Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates?

Hilary Westfield has always dreamed of being a pirate. She 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 an 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?

Avast! Pirates, magic, girl hero and a gargoyle sidekick? YES!! MAGIC MARKS THE SPOT is an amazing debut, a funny, rollicking adventure featuring a take-no-prisoners heroine and a cast of colorful characters. I eagerly look forward to the next book. - Sarah Prineas, author of The Magic Thief series and the Summerlands series

A whimsical, swashbuckling romp into a deeply imaginative world; Carlson’s novel is as plucky and clever as its heroine. - Soman Chainani, New York Times bestselling author of The School for Good and Evil

“There’s merriment and intrigue on the high seas in this debut novel… Carlson’s characters are as memorable as they are entertaining.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)