Pirates: Spirits of Cape Htteras Island (Spirits of Cape Hatte...

Living in the shadow of the mighty Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, miles from the village, Ellie, Luke and Blake exist in a world of spirits, mystical wolves, and stories told by their grandfather, the keeper of the lighthouse. In this five volume series, the three children of the Jennette family travel back in time to discover the origin of their ancestors and the events that shaped the civilization of Cape Hatteras Island. Throughout the series, islanders live as they did when only an occasional mail boat kept them connected to the rest of the world---before a bridge linked the island to the mainland, before tourists flocked to the area during the summer season, and before the government became involved in managing the land. Isolated from others, they created a life of comfort and community, one that is long lost. In each subsequent volume, the children meet the people and experience the events that gradually transformed Cape Hatteras Island to the popular resort area it is today.In Pirates, the children are transported back in time to meet their more colorful ancestors. They begin to take adventures away from the family compound, as mobility is enhanced by the addition of two special horses, Pegasus, Luke' Christmas present, and Blue, for Ellie. Learning of an old mansion in the woods, they are awestruck when Grandpop takes them there. Frequent secret visits form a bond between the children and the mysteries held by the 250 year old stone dwelling. Ellie's power grows, as do the powers given to the boys by the old indian shaman. Luke is introduced to Blackbeard and his cronies, and uncovers a family secret! Community events bring the villages together to celebrate their collective history of Pirates, as the island begins to stir with the looming threat of WWII.

About the Author

Jeanette Gray Finnegan Jr., (Torok), is a tenth generation islander whose childhood was spent on Cape Hatteras when it was totally independent of mainland amenities. Jeanette---Jaye to her friends--- graduated from East Carolina University with a double major in English and History.. She did extensive graduate work at Old Dominion University in photography and art. After teaching English and Advanced Placement U.S. Government, the author returned to the island to write. The five books in this series have been in the works for over ten years. Extensive research using all books on Hatteras Island available on line, libraries, book stores, magazine and newspaper articles written in years past, interviews with local island residents who shared both written word and personal photographs, family stories and recollections of her 102 year old mother who also contacted sources, were all exhausted to gain information. The island is changing, and multigenerational fmilies are dwindling. Thee books recall those moments that made life special and depict a proud and innovative people, living on the edge of the world. Pirates offers a fictionalized account of the times that history recorded as having taken place. The children continue to recount what it was like growing up in isolation from a modern world, and tell of a time when needs were few and everything was provided from the land and sea. Enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of this strip of land you obviously feel connected to also. This is what it felt like to live a natural life, surrounded by family, friends, few strangers and a lot of excitement. Growing up "island", was a special privilege with some unusual memories.

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