The Giant Rat of Sumatra: or Pirates Galore

What a fun and entertaining read for kids (and adults like myself who enjoy kids' books). Lots of adventure and I learned some new things about San Diego, California's history and the Mexican-American War. I love the main character, Shipwreck, and Captain Gallows the pirate. I found the relationship that developed between them quite endearing. I recommend this book to kids, especially boys who are reluctant to read. This is a story that's funny, amusing, and engaging.

If you're a 4th grade teacher in California, this is a must read! It has a ton of great moments to define vocabulary, connects perfectly to missions, ranchos, and Mexican American war. My students were hooked! There is shooting/killing talk and a single reference to forcing a woman to marry, but it is quickly revealed as a joke and it's hard to talk about pirates without the violence.

A gem, separate from the coal pile of books written for young boys. One of the rare books written to thrill, inspire, and uplift a young boy's soul.

I recommend this for all people who like stories of a long time ago and of pirates, it is an exciting book and I really liked it. (Age 8)

Only twelve years old, Edmund Amos Peters has already lived a life filled with incredible adventures. He and his father went down in a ship after leaving New England. Edmund was saved by Captain Gallows, one of the fiercest pirates still taking prizes in 1846. Nicknamed Shipwreck, for obvious reasons, he stays on as a cabin boy for the pirates.I've read several of Siddhartha Fleishman's novels over the years, starting with BY THE GREAT HORN SPOON! when I was younger than my ten year old. I've always enjoyed the way he's clever with his characters and situations, and the fact that he doesn't dawdle. His stories always have the characters doing something at a frantic pace.Packed full of adventure and interesting characters, THE GIANT RAT OF SUMATRA captures the imaginations of kids (and adults!) from the opening pages and doesn't let go until the end. There's always some problem Shipwreck and the brave Captain Gallows have to deal with.After arriving in San Diego, California, which at that time is Mexican property, Captain Gallows declares that he's going to go straight. He buys himself new clothes, a ranch, and even renames himself. As Don Alexandro, he sets himself up in business buying cow hides.This is old-style adventure writing at its finest. There are mysterious characters and nefarious doings from the opening pages, and a sea battle as Americans sail into the harbor in an effort to take the city in the final pages.In between those hooks, the juvenile novel jumps through hoops to entertain young minds and adults as well. I loved the lady bandit and her semi-stalwart gang, and the pistol duel that Captain Gallows arranges for the control of her and her crew.The descriptions of the places and the people brought a lot of images to mind. They all seem true to life.THE GIANT RAT OF SUMATRA is a 2008 Sequoyah book. Kids in elementary school get to vote on the best of the lot if they read three of them. Parents are welcome to help, and I heartily recommend reading this one aloud, taking turns with your child if your child can read.

Sid Fleischman wears many hats. He is a magician, a screenplay writer, a biographer, a gardener, a Newbery Award winning children's book author, the father of a Newbery Award winning children's book author, an autobiographer, and a good friend. Not only does he wear many hats, but can manage to pull a rabbit from each one.One day, when he had some time between book projects to converse, I spilled out an idea for a children's book (hoping that Sid would take the bait). Now you should know that the only writer's block that Sid has occurs as a cramp in his right hand during a lengthy book signing - so he really didn't (and still doesn't) need any ideas from me.But the idea was that a story could be written about a boy who spent his time reading famous books that had never been written.Sid's response was "What are you talking about?""Well, you know, there are many books of which we all know the titles, but they really haven't been written."Sid's response was "What are you talking about?""Well, you know, books like `The Giant Rat of Sumatra'.""`The Giant Rat of Sumatra' has been written!""Do you remember reading it?""Well....no""That's because it was never written. Oh, and by the way, it was not written by Arthur Conan Doyle - it was a Sherlock Holmes case.""So what was the Giant Rat of Sumatra?""I don't know, I haven't read the book."This was too much for Sid, who immediately researched the Giant Rat (his biographical skills came to the fore). Now, I must confess, when I had the idea of a boy reading famous books which had never been written, I had envisioned my younger self as being this character. Sid, on the other hand, envisioned himself as the author! A couple of days after our discussion, Sid called me back and pronounced "the Giant Rat is a Pirate Ship!" How did he know? Well, he was going to write the book of course! Was the book going to have anything to do with Sherlock Holmes? No!!!I must admit that when this book was released, I thought there would be a deluge of criticism from the Sherlockians, Holmesists & Doyleys regarding the wholesale lifting of the title, but to this point not one word has appeared in the Amazon reviews (whew!)Now the book is doing well, and it is a most enjoyable novel. If I tell you more, I would spoil the reading.So thus ends the tale of How This Book Got Its Title - and it's almost all true.And as for my library of famous books that have never been written - I've read them all!

This book contains pirate as well as cowboy/western elements- a wonderful combination. Like Fleishman's other books, this is well-written, and adventurous- he always develops his characters that are realistic, and yet full of humor.