Horn Book Review
When her scientist parents take off for the Shipwrecked Islands to study the elusive frangipani fruit fly, ten-year-old worrywart Lilly stays behind with her eccentric great-uncle. With her parents feared lost at sea, Lilly finds herself reluctantly joining forces with her lady-pirate neighbor to save them. Their ocean adventure, shown from many angles in humorous black-and-white illustrations, is action-packed and satisfying. (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Last Chance. This transformation from skittish bookworm to swashbuckling pirate girl is the real buried treasure in this enjoyably preposterous, emotionally resonant, library-revering adventure. Shepperson's cartoonish pencil illustrations are as wonderfully detailed, action-packed and good-humored as the story. (Adventure. 8-12)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Ten-year-old Lilly has always joined her scientist parents on their expeditions, but their voyage to the Shipwreck Islands will be so dangerous that they send her to stay with Great-Uncle Ernest instead. In his seaside town, everyone seems to have a secret (and possibly pirate past). Even the library's one book on the Shipwreck Islands has its own secret (and probably) a treasure map.When Lilly learns that her parents' ship has sunk, she takes to the seas on a rescue mission. Lilly, who keeps lists to hold her fears at bay, battles her timid nature throughout the book and finds her courage when she needs it most. Whether puzzling out who's who and what's what or just enjoying Lilly's exciting exploits, many children will relate to this rather cozy adventure story and its lovably flawed heroine. Like the story, Shepperson's many full-page illustrations are lively, engaging, and occasionally humorous.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2010 Booklist
