Did you know pirates once sailed the seas around Atlantic Canada? Pirates might seem like fun in the movies, but back in the 17th and 18th centuries—the Golden Age of Piracy—being a pirate was very serious business.

From the Hackmatack award-shortlisted author of Oak Island and the Search for Buried Treasure comes the newest book from Nimbus's popular Compass series for young readers. Learn about what everyday life was like for some of the fiercest pirates of all time. Explore the history of piracy, from the ancient Romans and Greeks to modern-day pirates. How did pirates navigate the seas? What happened if they were caught? Did pirates really bury treasure?

This full-colour non-fiction book includes highlighted glossary terms, informative sidebars, over 50 colour illustrations and historical photographs, an index, and recommended further reading.

Joann Hamilton-Barry is a librarian in Saint John, New Brunswick, and The author of Boldly Canadian: the story of the RCMP. She enjoys cooking and reading but her favourite activity is walking her dog with her husband and best friend, Nick Barry. Joann is the proud mother of two grown children, Alex and Hope. Joann has had a fascination with Oak Island for thirty years and dreams of finding buried treasure.

Joann Hamilton-Barry's profile page

• Short-listed, Rocky Mountain Book Awards
• Winner, Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Awards (English Non-fiction)
• Short-listed, NB Book Awards - Alice Kitts Memorial Award for Excellence in Children's Writing

"This would be great addition to your classroom collection of non-fiction books for its general interest and for its suitability for teaching how to read non-fiction text." —Canadian Teacher Magazine

"Joann Hamilton-Barry is a librarian and she has done her research. There Be Pirates! is a very high interest reference book for children, one which manages to be both factually accurate with a TON of information and also an accessible read. The glossy photos, bright colours, large font and conversational tone ensure this book is not mistaken for a traditional children's historical reference book. Hamilton-Barry covers all aspects of piracy that would be of interest to novices and fans, and I challenge even the most diehard pirate fanatic to come away without learning something new. This five star book is a must for public library shelves, teachers covering the topic in their classroom or school library, and for any child or child at heart with an interest in swashbucklers and rogues." —Canadian Review of Materials

"Well-paced and laid out, using historical photographs and examples, activities and informative details, this book helps to give an understanding of piracy in the Atlantic. This book, especially the activities provided within, would be well used in conjunction with a program or lesson either about pirates/piracy or learning about life during the 'The Golden Age of Piracy.'" —Resource Links (Pouch Cove, NF)

"Hamilton-Barry covers all aspects of piracy that would be of interest to novices and fans, and I challenge even the most diehard pirate fanatic to come away without learning something new. This five star book is a must for public library shelves, teachers covering the topic in their classroom or school library, and for any child or child at heart with an interest in swashbucklers and rogues." —Canadian Review of Materials (Winnipeg, MB)