THE DARE SISTERS

The hunt for a legendary treasure begins.

Savannah Dare, age 11, always loved listening to her Grandpa tell stories about the history of their small community on Ocracoke Island. Located off the North Carolina coast, it was the past haunt of several pirates, most notably the infamous Blackbeard. Grandpa’s recent death has definitely left a hole in her and her family’s lives. Sav cherishes all the artifacts around their house from Grandpa’s treasure-hunting days. However, lingering expenses mean the family will likely have to sell everything, including the house, something Sav staunchly refuses to accept. Besides, she’s got a plan: Their grandpa left Sav and her two sisters, 13-year-old Frankie and 6-year-old Jolene, a treasure map and other clues to find what might be Blackbeard’s long-lost treasure hoard. In true adventure/detective form, the sisters work to break codes, try to contact Blackbeard’s spirit, and consult Grandpa’s notebooks, all while avoiding a shady man who keeps popping up around town. The story incorporates real-world pirate history, and, with its 1996 setting, the girls’ research is done without the assistance of the internet. As the main protagonist, Sav struggles with paying attention at school, doesn’t have much of a filter to temper her passionate feelings, and her grief makes it all even harder. This treasure-hunt chronicle will pique the curiosity of young explorers. All characters are White by default.

Ahoy, me hearties!