Book excerpt: Recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award honoring excellence and a 2015-2016 New Book Award winner. (Originally published as The Cape Cod Witch and the Legend of the Pirate.) On a field trip to Boston's historic Freedom Trail, ElsBeth and her classmates encounter a famous freedom fighter, the ghostly Captain Thomas Jacques, who spirits them across treacherous waters to Nantucket Island — in the daring rescue attempt of a kidnapped, modern-day Arabian prince. Along the way they find out about fighting for freedom and caring for something bigger than themselves. Readers also discover a treasure chest of historical nuggets and Cape and Islands lore, together with a brief sketch of the authentic pirates featured in Books I and II. Includes twenty-three original color illustrations. Odyssey Reviews: This story is filled to the brim with adventure, plenty of vivid and likable characters (even the cranky teacher, Ms. Finch) and topped with history and important environmental lessons for the young reader. ElsBeth serves as a lovely example of a tenacious and passionate girl, who is able to navigate and overcome some fairly scary adversities to positively help those in need in the end. Finally, illustrator Melanie Therrien has also returned to include her vibrant pictures that add a perfect touch and emphasis to this Cape Cod Witch Series. And if that's not enough to capture a reader's attention, there is real history information and recipes tucked in the back of the book. The treasures in this tale will undoubtedly capture young readers' hearts, as they wonder what will happen next, and should definitely not be passed over.