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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
How far would you go to help someone? Rue is about to find out in The Pirate Doctor: Rue Sets Sail by Lindsay Gizicki. She’s a twelve-year-old who dreams of being a healer and caring for others. She spends her free time imagining faraway places and drawing maps of islands she hopes might exist. Then, one day, a mysterious compass appears. It has a message saying it will guide her to where she’s needed most. Her chance comes when a pirate named Bandana Jack arrives. He has a problem she believes she can fix. The remedy requires something found across the dangerous Sea of Whispers. Rue sets sail alone for the first time with only her compass and determination. Her trip is filled with strange creatures and unexpected challenges. Will Rue find what she’s looking for? Can she make her big dreams come true?
The Pirate Doctor: Rue Sets Sail by Lindsay Gizicki was such a fun adventure. I loved Rue right away, and her name is great! She’s also pretty spunky. Young readers will relate to her, too. I gleaned two main messages: believing in yourself and helping others. It’s a great reminder for kids that being brave matters, but so do kindness and quick thinking. From my experience working in a kindergarten and first-grade classroom, I think it would be perfect to read after lunch when children need to settle down before moving on to more schoolwork. I would do a chapter a day and then talk with them about topics like confidence, compassion, and perseverance. Students could even draw their own imaginary maps or create a new quest for Rue. Diana Maksymenko's black-and-white illustrations made me think of the Archie comics I loved as a child. I especially liked the picture of Rue with her parents near the end; her smile gives the scene an almost magical feeling. Those looking for a book with pirates, fantasy, and adventure will want to pick this one up. This book belongs in homes, classrooms, and libraries because Rue's journey reminds young learners that big dreams are worth believing in. Rue’s story shows kids that having courage doesn’t mean you’re never afraid.
