ElsBeth and the Pirate's Treasure, Book I in the Cape Cod Witch Series

Recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award honoring excellence and a 2015-2016 New Book Award winner. When Halloween approaches, a never-quite-forgotten pirate's treasure awakens some serious trouble in the sleepy Cape Cod town. ElsBeth Amelia Thistle, who happens to be the youngest witch on the Cape, and her friend Johnny Twofeathers, chief-to-be of the local Wampanoag tribe — together with a cast of spirited classmates and curious magical creatures (including two troublesome fairies from the old country) — must face off against dangerous outsiders, and the notorious pirate Billy Bowlegs, to restore the balance of past and present, good and evil. Includes nineteen full-color illustrations.

Ypulse Book Editor (subsequently with Publishers Weekly): I don't usually do this, but Pirate's Treasure got such rave reviews from my two nephews and my sister I felt I had to pass it on. What makes my nephews' recommendations so remarkable is that they're sort of reluctant readers.

One in particular devours comics but mostly 'reads' the illustrations. 'Star Wars' books are their favorites. And hey, anytime two boys jump up and down (literally) and implore me to read something, I listen.

My nephew said all of the kids in his third grade class love this book, bar none. My sister said they read it aloud together as a family and she thought it was fabulous, too. Really fabulous, and they all can't wait for the next one.

It's like "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" crossed with Sarah Plain and Tall—sort of. Earthy and homemade feeling, the writing and story read like local folklore but with contemporary characters. I can see why it's a hit with younger readers and I, too, liked it a lot.

Reading ElsBeth and the Pirate's Treasure made me wonder—what exactly made this work for both the girls and boys in my nephew's posse? Is it the fact that ElsBeth's class share the spotlight and together are the main characters?

I wish there were more titles that crossed gender lines. We talk a lot about finding books that boys will like because they are traditionally harder readers to please, but what about books that boys and girls can enjoy together? Maybe books that simply allow girls and boys to share the stage is the answer.