BlackHeart's Legacy

by Sally Copus

Overview

Jon Sinclair is a precocious twelve-year-old boy living with grandparents who have a very unique hobby: time travel. Having already made several trips in the time capsule known as the Carousel, Jon and his grandmother plan a trip back to July 4, 1776, to watch the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

But things go horribly awry when the Carousel malfunctions, and they are thrust onto the shores of Port Royal, Jamaica, in 1692. As his grandmother works to repair the machine, Jon wanders off on his own-and is promptly kidnapped by the notorious pirate, Captain BlackHeart. Forced into the role of cabin boy, Jon does his best to adapt to a rugged life at sea as his grandparents embark on a desperate search to find him.

Will Jon survive his frightening ordeal? Or will he meet his fate at the hands of rival pirates-or, worse yet, as the result of a tidal wave that threatens to destroy the entire pirate stronghold?

Filled with excitement, mystery, and harrowing danger, BlackHeart's Legacy: Book One of the Odyssey of Jon Sinclair is a thrilling time-travel adventure that will captivate readers of all ages.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781450534420
Publisher:	CreateSpace Publishing
Publication date:	06/23/2010
Series:	Odyssey of Jon Sinclair
Pages:	330
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.69(d)
Lexile:	930L (what's this?)
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

Sally Copus is enjoying a second career as a full time writer. The former CEO of a large direct marketing firm, she combines her extensive world travels with a love of history to bring the past to life for young readers.

BlackHeart's Legacy is the first book in The Odyssey of Jon Sinclair series, followed by the highly anticipated Keys to Atlantis.

Copus resides in a pre-Civil War home built in 1850 that overlooks the majestic Missouri River in historic Lexington, Missouri. She draws inspiration from her surroundings and her four grandchildren.

Read more on author's website: www.sallycopus.com

Editorial Reviews

In the first book of debut author Copus' planned series, a boy and his grandmother travel back in time to hobnob with marauding pirates in search of hidden treasure. Clearly familiar with what should constitute the building blocks of a kid-friendly adventure story, Copus begins the book with a seemingly foolproof plan gone disastrously awry. Alistair and Kathryn (Grammy) Sinclair--12-year-old Jon's grandparents and full-time guardians following the mysterious death of his parents in a plane crash--are gearing up to send Jon to 1776 Philadelphia to witness the signing of the Declaration of Independence. While retired NASA employee Alistair won't be joining them in the silver time-travel capsule Carousel this time around, Grammy goes along for the ride to prevent any mishaps. But with a loud whirl and a classic sci-fi jolt, the ship's malfunctioning navigation device instead sends them crashing to the shores of 1692 Port Royal, Jamaica, kicking their journey into high gear. Soon, Jon is kidnapped by the crew of the Black Opal, led by the notorious Captain BlackHeart. Grammy--disguised as a boy named Gramm--gains passage as a cook on the ship of BlackHeart's conniving rival, Shark Scar, in hopes of somehow crossing paths with Jon. As the novel picks up speed, so too do the cleverly hidden surprises. BlackHeart isn't as nasty as he initially seems; it's easy to root for him and his devoted crew during treasure dives and explosive battles with warring buccaneers, especially since he's taken the ever-trusting Jon under his wing. Gramm's grandmotherly resourcefulness in winning over Shark Scar's mutinous, scurvy-inflicted crew never feels unbelievable, and one character's just-in-the-knick-of-time appearance adds an element of urgency to an already deliciously thrilling finale. The cliff-hanger ending foreshadows a surely exciting voyage to the lost city of Atlantis. Middle-grade readers (boys especially): Don't dillydally; grab this nearly flawless book.

Kirkus Reviews