The Buccaneers Of St. Frederick Island Series.
Reading Age 7-12.
Artwork For The Buccaneers Of St. Frederick Island Series.
The Buccaneers Of St. Frederick Island by Linda Maria Frank.
Book One: Introduction To Series. Reading Age 7-12.
What can possibly happen when a crime happens under the very noses of a group of very savvy eighth graders at St. BeSillius’ Catholic School on St. Frederick’s Island? When the money they raised to buy toys for children in homeless shelters in near-by NYC is stolen, the Buccaneers, as they call themselves are outraged. Despite warnings from Father Felix and Sr. Jo, Sprocket, the leader of the Buccaneers, and her determined buddies set out to follow the clues, run down the thief, and get those toys for the homeless kids.
When their clubhouse is burned down, and a threatening letter is sent to the local newspaper, The Foghorn, owned and operated by Sprocket’s mother, the Buccaneers are even more determined to unravel the plot against them. A mysterious island once owned by the pirate, Jon Buccleigh and a labyrinthine cave serve as the setting for this skullduggery. A Native American healer, her community, and a group of the beach people conspire with the Buccaneers to get that money back.
You will be laughing at some of the Buccaneers’ antics and gasping at what those brave eight-graders face to solve the mystery. The story is rich with colorful and engaging characters as well as the flavor of post-war America in 1947. An altogether fun and satisfying read.
Awarded 5 Stars By The Editor At Book Marketing Global Network. Adventure Sure To Capture A Young Reader’s Imagination.
Author Linda Maria Frank begins this book with her historical notes about where the story originated from. This is very educational for young readers as it addresses her earliest memories in Middle Village, Queens, New York at the end of WWll.
The story begins at St. BeSillius’s (catholic school), where mystery Author Linda Maria Frank sets the stage for more than one intriguing mystery (wrapped into one), that in my opinion, out preforms the Nancy Drew mysteries that I read as a young reader.
Within the walls of a small clubhouse (shack) a small band of school friends broke through the strict, stifling, constrictions of the classroom regiment, set in stone, by Sister JoAnn and Mother Superior. This tiny band of self-proclaimed private investigators, set out to find out, who stole the money they had spent an entire year earning, for a class trip to distribute toys to day care centers in the parish. The money disappeared from the Vestry (small room behind the alter); the very day Father Felix was supposed to open a bank account for the school project.
This small band of PIs came with an official title “Buccaneers (meaning pirates) of St. Besillius”. They wrote up and voted on a charter (agreement) for their group, which included:
- Each member is sworn to secrecy, under pain of… what? Oh, I don’t know.
- All clues are to be shared by everyone.
- All communications would be done using our code names. Mine is Sprocket.
- Our meeting place would be the old fishing shack on the beach.
The hunt for the mystery thief begins, which only leads to more mystery, danger, intrigue and an ominous warning letter. Each club member had responsibilities related to their investigation. Club name Ratchet (real name Amelia) with her camera (Brownie) was the official photographer. Let me bring you into the story at Chapter Fifteen: Meanwhile, At the Ferry Dock.
…Ratchet would much rather be called by her real name, Amelia. Especially since one of her heroines was Amelia Erhardt, the aviatrix who made news-worthy flights around the world. She disappeared somewhere in the Pacific, never to be found. Ratchet just couldn’t resist the mystery of it all.
…However, she would be true to her oath as a Buccaneer and fulfill her mission. She struggled with how to accomplish this. Most days she went to the ferry dock dressed in her reporter’s costume consisting of a many- pocketed jacket, borrowed men’s trousers, a cap with a green visor, and several cameras strung around her neck, most of which did not work.
…But her trusty Brownie never failed her. Notepad in hand she snapped photos of the ferry passengers going to and from Main. She was too shy, at this point, to go up to them and get that “scoop”.
…Today was different. She didn’t want to stand out like a sore thumb. Surveillance required melting into the scenery. The outfit for this assignment had her pigtails tucked into a red bandana, her thick lensed glasses hidden behind her dad’s aviator shades, and a dark blue jumpsuit, two sizes too big, borrowed from her brother who worked at Fred’s only gas station. She was channeling Rosie the Riveter. Rosie, as you may have heard, was another heroine in American history. She and her millions of sisters made the planes, tanks and ships that won the recent World War. Since the war effort for Rosie was over for now, Amelia still stuck out like a sore thumb.
…“Hey, Sis. Halloween’s over,” called out one of the day trippers.
…Embarrassed, she hid the bandana and pulled out her braids. She kept the glasses, and the coveralls were a must, since taking them off meant she would be walking around in her undies.
…It was getting pretty boring. What was she thinking? This is a lame idea, but duty called, and she settled herself more comfortably. The scents of tar, salt water, and creosoted wood planking joined the piney aroma of the hemlocks to provide a perfume Amelia came to call home.
…Amelia looked up just in time. Janet trotted down the path to the ferry dock. She could have missed her because she had a jacket with a hood. But Janet always wore beaded moccasins and her pigtails had feathers instead of bows. One braid escaped the hood sealing her identity for Amelia.
…Amelia, now in Ratchet mode, started snapping again.
…Janet turned her way and Ratchet’s heart almost stopped. Ratchet knew how important it was to identify Janet as Janet in her series of photos. Taking a breath and holding it, she snapped away.
…When Ratchet returned to check out the folks getting off the ferry, the strangers she had seen on other days came down the gangplank. Snap! Snap! Snap! They surrounded Janet, one grabbing her arm, the other talking to her, right in her face, grim and threatening. Janet pulled her arm away and snapped back at the stranger who had confronted her.
…The other man jammed something in her pocket. “Just do it,” he growled. This was an easy lip read for Ratchet, a skill necessary for a well-trained snoop, er, journalist. Janet turned and ran back up the path. The men got back on the boat.
…What did the stranger put in Amelia’s (Ratchet) pocket?
I encourage you to purchase “The Buccaneers of St. Frederick Island” by Linda Maria Frank and share it with all the children in your life. This book would make a great summer reading project for kids. This story will spark their imagination and inspire he/she to create their own clubhouse of friends and become private investigators.
5 Star Reviews From Readers:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998971421/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3G3D7DLHK5KOP&key- words=linda+maria+frank&qid=1605972997&s=books&sprefix=Linda+Maria+%2Caps%2C144&sr=1- 2#customerReviews
Product Details:
Reading Age 7-12
Paperback: 186 Pages
Publisher: Annie Tillery Mysteries (November 20, 2020)
Marianne Savage (Illustrator)
Language: English
Children’s Time Travel Books
Children’s Mystery & Detective Adventure
Children’s Mystery, Detective, & Spy
Mysteries (Tween, Teens, and YA)
Mysteries (Detective)
Adventure Juvenile Literature
The Buccaneers Of St. Frederick Island, Sibby’s Secret by Linda Maria Frank.
Book 2: The Buccaneers of St. Frederick Island. Reading Age 7-12.
The Buccaneers of Saint Frederick Island are back. If you loved the first Buccaneers of St. Frederick Island, “Sibby’s Secret” will capture you too.
Join the fun, danger and escapades of Lily, Frank, Leon, Ryan, and Amelia.
The Buccaneers rival any private investigator of the time. When Sibby Fintail, fisherman and bay constable, goes missing, Lily, code name, Sprocket and Frank, code name Wing Nut, come to the rescue. They follow his trail to one of the island’s caves where he had been harvesting crystals for his artwork. They find an unconscious, badly beaten Sibby.
Who did this and why?
Becca Dawes. Sprocket’s mother discovers that unknown persons are seeking to take the caves away from the native tribe that has owned them forever. What is it about the caves?
When strangers come to Frederick Island, and kidnap Becca, the Buccaneers go into high gear to solve these attacks.
The Buccaneers will draw you into their world of clever sleuthing and unlocking the secrets in the clues they find. It’s adventure, fun and great crime science.
You will be laughing at some of the Buccaneers’ antics and gasping at what those brave eighth-graders face to solve the mystery. The story is rich with colorful and engaging characters as well as the flavor of 1947.
5 Star Reviews From Readers:
https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B0D323Q2XL/ref=acr_dpx_hist_5?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=five_star&reviewerType=all_reviews
Product Details:
Reading Age 7-12
Print Length: 137 Pages
Publisher: Annie Tillery Mysteries; 1st edition (February 15, 2024)
Marianne Savage (Illustrator)
Language: English
Children’s Time Travel Books
Children’s Mystery & Detective Adventure
Children’s Mystery, Detective, & Spy
Mysteries (Tween, Teens, and YA)
Mysteries (Detective)
Adventure Juvenile Literature
YouTube Book Trailer:
https://youtu.be/lihYkiyedjs?si=5Ta-uXj4YZAbQAp2
The Monster Bones Of St. Frederick Island by Linda Maria Frank and JoAnn Vergona Krapp.
Book 3: The Buccaneers Of St. Frederick Island. Reading Age 7-12.
Three children whose curious minds find them on a family vacation smack in the middle of an adventure that seems to be just waiting for them. Unknown to our intrepid vacationers, a long-ago group of brave and curious eighth graders on their remote destination island of St. Frederick formed a group of amateur detectives known as the Buccaneers.
Together these clever kids discover some of the ancient mysteries of the island when they use their new-found friends at the local newspaper and the Native American community.
They solve the mystery set on a St. Frederick beach that puzzled the islanders and the scientists who came to observe it.
The Crawford family vacations have always been exciting, surprising and often mysterious, but when they go to St. Frederick Island, they venture into the unknown territory of an ancient mystery. Meeting the original Buccaneers of the island, they venture into the gripping mystery of those mysterious bones.
Awarded 5 Stars By The Editor At Book Marketing Global Network For ‘The Monster Bones On St. Fredricks Island’.
Each summer adventure brings with it memories that will last a lifetime. Douglas and Janet Crawford along with Douglas’ best friend Wesley have an uncanny knack for sniffing out trouble, or adventure. In the past three years they uncovered a buried pirate treasure at a lighthouse, a stolen medal from World War Two, and a lost child frightened by bullies. Sadly, they won’t be returning to Fire Island this summer. There is a promise of new adventures as the Crawford family arrives in Bar Harbour, Maine. Bar Harbor is a summer delight, surrounded by water and serves as a gateway to the mountains and Acadia National Park. Posters and signs are everywhere on the streets in this small, picturesque village, inviting visitors to experience art, concerts, bus and boat tours, hiking trails, lobster pounds, whale-watching, and, of course, shopping. Here they discover a destination, St. Frederick Island that offers caves and other mysteries to tantalize the amateur detectives.
Once on the island, the Crawfords visit the local island newspaper, The Foghorn, to find out more about it. There they meet Lily, the granddaughter of one of the Buccaneers, a group of kids who formed a club to solve island mysteries. Janet, Wesley and Douglas can really relate to this group.
Let’s step back in history where Lily, Frank, Amelia, Leon and Ryan, known only by their code names back then, uncovered some dastardly deeds done by those who did not respect the Native American traditions of the island. Going even further back in time, a huge skeleton was found on the St. Besilius Convent beach. A Native American tribe lived here for centuries. The island has caves with ancient picture drawings. There are lots of superstitions about the bones, like maybe “The Monster” being some kind of dinosaur-like creature.
What adventure will these three young sleuths uncover on St. Frederick Island this summer? You must follow “The Buccaneers Of St. Frederick Island” series to join them on their summer’s adventures. Linda’s story telling is on par with, perhaps better than the “Nancy Drew” series of the past. Author Linda Maria Frank (past educator) shares her love of ancient mysteries and places with a nautical and pirate history with children around the world. She shares her research into the geology of caves, Native American lore, pirate history and of course, the mysterious creatures of the past.
With a little time travel, Linda Frank and new co-author, JoAnn Krapp, weave a magical series where three generations of detectives, young and old, keep this generation’s youth on the edge of their seats. I invite you to purchase “The Monster Bones On St. Frederick’s Island” (Book Three), “Sibby’s Secret” (Book Two) and “The Buccaneers Of St. Frederick Island” (Book One). Linda also has her “Annie Tillery Mysteries”. In this latest of the Buccaneers series, Linda has co-authored with JoAnn Vergona Krapp and illustrator, Marianne Savage to produce this fun, page-turning adventure.
5 Star Reviews From Readers:
https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B0FM82B5KJ/ref=acr_dpx_hist_5?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=five_star&reviewerType=all_reviews
Product Details:
Reading Age 7-12
Print Length: 103 Pages
Publisher: Annie Tillery Mysteries
Publication Date: August 8, 2025
Marianne Savage (Illustrator)
Language: English
Children’s Time Travel Books
Children’s Mystery & Detective Adventure
Children’s Mystery, Detective, & Spy
Mysteries (Tween, Teens, and YA)
Mysteries (Detective)
Adventure Juvenile Literature
Linda Narrating Her New Book The Buccaneers Of St. Frederick Island
https://bookmarketingglobalnetwork.com/book-marketing-global-network/linda-narrating-her-new-book-the-buccaneers-of-st-frederick-island/
Author’s Show Interview, The Buccaneers of St. Frederick Island
VISIT VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/iSoWFxTRS5Q
Author’s Page At Book Marketing Global Network:
https://bookmarketingglobalnetwork.com/book-marketing-global-network/author-linda-maria-frank/
