Pirates of the Caribbean: The Tale of Billy Turner and Other Stories by Rob Kidd - Barnes & Noble

Outline of the article ----------------------- H1: Pirates of the Caribbean books by Rob Kidd: A swashbuckling adventure series for young readers H2: Who is Rob Kidd and what is his connection to Pirates of the Caribbean? H3: Rob Kidd is a pseudonym for a group of writers who worked on the series H3: The series is a prequel to the movies and explores Jack Sparrow's teenage years H2: What are the main themes and characters of the series? H3: The series follows Jack Sparrow and his crew as they search for the legendary Sword of Cortés H3: The series introduces new characters such as Arabella Smith, Tumen, Jean Magliore, and Fitzwilliam P. Dalton III H3: The series also features familiar characters such as Hector Barbossa, Davy Jones, and Cutler Beckett H2: How many books are there in the series and what are their titles? H3: The series consists of 12 books and a spin-off collection of short stories H4: The Coming Storm (2006) H4: The Siren Song (2006) H4: The Pirate Chase (2006) H4: The Sword of Cortés (2006) H4: The Age of Bronze (2006) H4: Silver (2007) H4: City of Gold (2007) H4: The Timekeeper (2007) H4: Dance of the Hours (2007) H4: Sins of the Fathers (2007) H4: Poseidon's Peak (2008) H4: Bold New Horizons (2008) H4: The Tale of Billy Turner and Other Stories (2009) H2: Why should you read the Pirates of the Caribbean books by Rob Kidd? H3: The series is a fun and exciting way to learn more about Jack Sparrow's past and personality H3: The series is full of action, humor, magic, and mystery that will keep you hooked till the end H3: The series is suitable for readers of all ages who love pirates and adventure stories --- # Pirates of the Caribbean books by Rob Kidd: A swashbuckling adventure series for young readers If you are a fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, you might be wondering if there are any books that expand on the world and characters of the franchise. Well, you are in luck! There is a series of books written by Rob Kidd that tells the story of Jack Sparrow's youth and how he became the legendary pirate we know and love. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about the Pirates of the Caribbean books by Rob Kidd, including who he is, what his connection to the movies is, what are the main themes and characters of his books, how many books there are in the series and what are their titles, and why you should read them. ## Who is Rob Kidd and what is his connection to Pirates of the Caribbean? Rob Kidd is not a real person, but a pseudonym for a group of writers who worked on the Pirates of the Caribbean book series. The series is published by Disney Press and was written as a literary companion to the movies. The books are based on characters created by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, who wrote the screenplays for the first four films. The books also incorporate elements from other sources related to the franchise, such as video games, comics, theme park attractions, and merchandise. ### Rob Kidd is a pseudonym for a group of writers who worked on the series The identity of the writers behind Rob Kidd is not officially revealed, but some fans have speculated that they include Tui T. Sutherland, Jeff Kurtti, Elizabeth Rudnick, Kiki Thorpe, Lisa Papademetriou, Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson, Greg Ehrbar, Jason Surrell, Michael Singer, James Ponti, Irene Trimble, Meredith Rusu, Suzanne Francis, and Chris Schweizer. These writers have either written other books for Disney Press or have been involved in other projects related to Pirates of the Caribbean. ### The series is a prequel to the movies and explores Jack Sparrow's teenage years The series is set before the events of the first movie, The Curse of the Black Pearl, and follows Jack Sparrow as a teenager who dreams of becoming a pirate. The books chronicle his adventures with his ragtag crew of misfits and outcasts, as they sail across the Caribbean in search of the legendary Sword of Cortés, a powerful weapon that can grant its wielder anything they desire. Along the way, they encounter various enemies and allies, such as rival pirates, supernatural creatures, ancient curses, and secret societies. ## What are the main themes and characters of the series? The series is a mix of historical fiction, fantasy, and comedy, with a dash of romance and drama. The books explore themes such as friendship, loyalty, courage, freedom, destiny, and morality. The books also show how Jack Sparrow develops his skills, personality, and reputation as a pirate, and how he forms his relationships with some of the characters from the movies. ### The series follows Jack Sparrow and his crew as they search for the legendary Sword of Cortés Jack Sparrow is the protagonist and narrator of the series. He is a witty, charming, and cunning young man who has a knack for getting into trouble and out of it. He is fascinated by pirates and their lore, and wants to become one himself. He is also curious about his own past and heritage, as he does not know much about his parents or where he came from. He is loyal to his friends and has a sense of honor, but he can also be selfish, reckless, and deceitful at times. He is often conflicted between his desire for freedom and adventure, and his responsibility for his crew and their safety. Jack's crew consists of: - Arabella Smith: Jack's childhood friend and love interest. She is a spirited, smart, and brave girl who runs away from her home in Tortuga to join Jack on his quest. She is skilled at sailing, fighting, and singing. She often acts as Jack's conscience and voice of reason, but she also shares his sense of fun and mischief. - Tumen: A young Mayan boy who has the ability to communicate with animals. He is kind, gentle, and loyal to his friends. He joins Jack's crew after they rescue him from a slave ship. He has a pet monkey named Constance who accompanies him on his adventures. - Jean Magliore: A former French Navy officer who becomes a pirate after being betrayed by his superiors. He is brave, honorable, and loyal to his friends. He joins Jack's crew after they help him escape from prison. He is an expert swordsman and navigator. - Fitzwilliam P. Dalton III: A young British aristocrat who becomes a pirate after being kidnapped by Jack's crew. He is arrogant, spoiled, and cowardly at first, but he gradually learns to respect and appreciate his new friends. He joins Jack's crew after they save him from being sacrificed by a cult. He is good at mathematics and strategy. ### The series introduces new characters such as Arabella Smith, Tumen, Jean Magliore, and Fitzwilliam P. Dalton III The series also features some new characters who are not in the movies, but play important roles in the books. Some of them are: - Left-Foot Louis: A notorious pirate captain who is Jack's main rival in the series. He is cruel, greedy, and ruthless. He also seeks the Sword of Cortés for himself. - Torrents: A mysterious pirate captain who is Jack's ally in the series. He is mysterious, charismatic, and powerful. He has a connection to Jack's past that is revealed later in the series. - Laura Smith: Arabella's mother who runs an inn in Tortuga. She is kind, caring, and protective of her daughter. She does not approve of Jack or his pirate lifestyle. - Captain Teague: Jack's father who is the Pirate Lord of Madagascar. He is feared and respected by all pirates. He has a complicated relationship with Jack that is explored later in the series. - Esmeralda: A beautiful gypsy woman who helps Jack and his crew on several occasions. She has a romantic interest in Jack that causes jealousy in Arabella. - Madame Minuit: A mysterious woman who leads a secret society called the Shadow Gold. She has a sinister agenda that involves Jack and the Sword of Cortés. ### The series also features familiar characters such as Hector Barbossa, Davy Jones, and Cutler Beckett The series also includes some characters who appear in the movies or are related to them. Some of them are: - Hector Barbossa: A pirate captain who is Jack's former friend and enemy in the movies. He appears briefly in the first book as an ally of Left-Foot Louis. - Davy Jones: The captain of the Flying Dutchman who collects the souls of those who die at sea and ferries them to the afterlife. He appears in the fourth book as an enemy of Jack and his crew. - Cutler Beckett: The chairman of the East India Trading Company who wants to eliminate piracy and control the seas. He appears in the ninth book as an ally of Jack and his crew, but later betrays them and takes over the Flying Dutchman. ## How many books are there in the series and what are their titles? The series consists of 12 books and a spin-off collection of short stories. The books were published between 2006 and 2008, and the short stories were published in 2009. Here are the titles and summaries of each book: ### The Coming Storm (2006) This is the first book in the series, and it introduces Jack Sparrow as a teenage stowaway on a merchant ship called the Barnacle. He meets his first mate, Arabella Smith, who runs away from her home in Tortuga to join him. They also encounter a mysterious pirate captain named Torrents, who has a connection to Jack's past. Together, they embark on a quest to find the legendary Sword of Cortés, which can grant its wielder anything they desire. However, they are not the only ones who seek the sword, as they are pursued by a notorious pirate named Left-Foot Louis and his crew. ### The Siren Song (2006) This is the second book in the series, and it continues Jack's quest for the Sword of Cortés. Along the way, he meets two new members of his crew: Tumen, a young Mayan boy who can communicate with animals, and Jean Magliore, a former French Navy officer who becomes a pirate after being betrayed by his superiors. They also encounter a beautiful and mysterious woman named Esmeralda, who has a romantic interest in Jack. However, they soon discover that she is actually a siren, a mythical creature that lures sailors to their doom with her enchanting voice. She tries to seduce Jack and steal the sword from him, but he manages to resist her charms and escape. ### The Pirate Chase (2006) This is the third book in the series, and it follows Jack and his crew as they sail across the Caribbean in search of the Sword of Cortés. They are still chased by Left-Foot Louis and his crew, who have allied with Hector Barbossa, a pirate captain who is Jack's former friend and enemy. They also encounter a young British aristocrat named Fitzwilliam P. Dalton III, who becomes a pirate after being kidnapped by Jack's crew. He joins them after they save him from being sacrificed by a cult that worships the Sword of Cortés. They also face other dangers such as storms, sharks, cannibals, and mermaids. ### The Sword of Cortés (2006) This is the fourth book in the series, and it concludes Jack's quest for the Sword of Cortés. He finally finds the sword on an island called Isla Fortuna, where he also meets Davy Jones, the captain of the Flying Dutchman. Jones reveals that he was once a mortal man who fell in love with Calypso, the sea goddess who gave him the duty of ferrying souls to the afterlife. However, when she betrayed him by not showing up on their one day together every ten years, he abandoned his duty and became a monster. He also tells Jack that he is his father, and that he wants him to join him on his ship. Jack refuses, and fights Jones for the sword. He manages to defeat him and claim the sword for himself. However, he soon realizes that the sword is cursed, and that it will corrupt anyone who uses it for their own selfish desires. He decides to get rid of it by throwing it into a whirlpool created by Calypso's wrath. ### The Age of Bronze (2006) This is the fifth book in the series, and it begins a new story arc for Jack and his crew. They sail to New Orleans to find a new ship after losing the Barnacle, their previous ship, in a whirlpool. They encounter a group of pirates led by Gentleman Jocard, the Pirate Lord of the Atlantic Ocean, who offers them his ship, the Fleur de la Mort, in exchange for their help in finding a treasure hidden by his ancestor. They also meet Laura Smith, Arabella's mother, who runs an inn in New Orleans and disapproves of her daughter's pirate lifestyle. They also learn that the treasure they are looking for is actually a bronze statue of a horse that belonged to Alexander the Great, and that it has a mysterious power that can turn anything into bronze. ### Silver (2007) This is the sixth book in the series, and it follows Jack and his crew as they continue their search for the bronze horse. They sail to Mexico, where they meet Tumen's tribe and learn more about his culture and history. They also encounter a group of Spanish soldiers who are looking for the same treasure, led by Captain Diego de Leon. They also discover that the bronze horse is not the only artifact of Alexander the Great that has a magical power. There is also a silver chalice that can turn anything into silver, and a golden fleece that can turn anything into gold. The three artifacts are part of a prophecy that foretells the rise of a new conqueror who will unite the world under one banner. ### City of Gold (2007) This is the seventh book in the series, and it follows Jack and his crew as they reach the end of their quest for the bronze horse. They sail to El Dorado, the legendary city of gold, where they find the golden fleece and the final clue to the location of the bronze horse. They also face a new enemy: Madame Minuit, a mysterious woman who leads a secret society called the Shadow Gold. She wants to use the power of the three artifacts to create an army of gold warriors and take over the world. She also has a personal vendetta against Jack, as she claims to be his long-lost sister. ### The Timekeeper (2007) This is the eighth book in the series, and it begins a new story arc for Jack and his crew. They sail to England, where they meet Fitzwilliam's father, Lord Reginald Marmaduke Bracegirdle-Penwallowe, who is a member of Parliament and an enemy of piracy. They also encounter a young inventor named Tim Hawk, who has created a device called the Timekeeper that can manipulate time. However, Tim's invention falls into the wrong hands when it is stolen by Cutler Beckett, the chairman of the East India Trading Company, who wants to use it to change history and eliminate piracy forever. Jack and his crew must team up with Tim and his sister Constance to stop Beckett and his allies from altering the course of events that led to Jack's birth and existence. ### Dance of the Hours (2007) This is the ninth book in the series, and it continues Jack's adventure with Tim Hawk and his Timekeeper. They sail to Venice, Italy, where they attend a masked ball hosted by Tim's uncle, Count Baldassare Castiglione. They also meet Esmeralda again, who has joined forces with Beckett and his agents to capture Tim and his device. They also discover that Beckett has another ally: Davy Jones himself, who has returned from his apparent death and wants revenge on Jack for taking his heart and his ship. Jack and his crew must escape from Venice before Beckett and Jones use the Timekeeper to change the outcome of the Battle of Lepanto, a historical naval battle that took place in 1571 between the Ottoman Empire and the Holy League. ### Sins of the Fathers (2007) This is the tenth book in the series, and it follows Jack and his crew as they travel back in time to ancient Greece, where they meet Alexander the Great and his army. They also learn that Alexander was the original owner of the three artifacts that they have been chasing: the bronze horse, the silver chalice, and the golden fleece. They also discover that Madame Minuit is actually a descendant of Alexander, and that she wants to use his power to conquer the world. They also face a new threat: a group of assassins called the Order of the Silver Star, who want to kill Alexander and prevent his rise to glory. ### Poseidon's Peak (2008) This is the eleventh book in the series, and it follows Jack and his crew as they travel back in time to ancient Atlantis, where they meet Poseidon, the god of the sea. They also learn that Poseidon was the one who created the three artifacts that they have been chasing, and that he hid them in different parts of the world to prevent anyone from abusing their power. They also discover that Beckett and Jones have followed them to Atlantis, and that they want to use Poseidon's trident, another powerful weapon, to destroy Atlantis and change history. They also face a new enemy: a giant sea monster called Scylla, who guards Poseidon's peak. ### Bold New Horizons (2008) This is the twelfth and final book in the series, and it follows Jack and his crew as they return to their own time and face their final showdown with Beckett and Jones. They also learn that Tim Hawk has been kidnapped by Madame Minuit, who wants to use his Timekeeper to activate the three artifacts and unleash their full power. They also discover that Jack's father, Captain Teague, is still alive and has been imprisoned by Beckett. They also face a new challenge: a massive storm called Calypso's Fury, which threatens to sink their ships and end their lives. ### The Tale of Billy Turner and Other Stories (2009) This is a spin-off collection of short stories that features some of the characters from the series in different adventures. The stories are: - The Tale of Billy Turner: This story tells how Billy Turner, Jack's old friend and Will's father, became a pirate and joined Davy Jones' crew. - The Tale of Tumen: This story tells how Tumen met Constance, his pet monkey, and how they escaped from a slave ship. - The Tale of Jean Magliore: This story tells how Jean Magliore became a pirate after being betrayed by his superiors in the French Navy. - The Tale of Fitzwilliam P. Dalton III: This story tells how Fitzwilliam P. Dalton III became a pirate after being kidnapped by Jack's crew. - The Tale of Arabella Smith: This story tells how Arabella Smith met Jack Sparrow when they were children in Tortuga. ## Why should you read the Pirates of the Caribbean books by Rob Kidd? The Pirates of the Caribbean books by Rob Kidd are a fun and exciting way to learn more about Jack Sparrow's past and personality. They are full of action, humor, magic, and mystery that will keep you hooked till the end. They are suitable for readers of all ages who love pirates and adventure stories. They also introduce you to new characters and locations that enrich the Pirates of the Caribbean universe. They also show you how Jack Sparrow became the legendary pirate captain that we know and love from the movies. So, if you are looking for a swashbuckling adventure series that will take you to different places and times, and make you laugh and thrill along the way, you should definitely read the Pirates of the Caribbean books by Rob Kidd. You will not regret it! ## Conclusion In this article, we have told you everything you need to know about the Pirates of the Caribbean books by Rob Kidd, a series of books that tells the story of Jack Sparrow's youth and how he became a pirate. We have covered: - Who is Rob Kidd and what is his connection to Pirates of the Caribbean? - What are the main themes and characters of the series? - How many books are there in the series and what are their titles? - Why should you read the Pirates of the Caribbean books by Rob Kidd? We hope that this article has sparked your interest in reading these books, and that you will enjoy them as much as we did. Happy reading! ## FAQs Here are some frequently asked questions about the Pirates of the Caribbean books by Rob Kidd: - Q: Are the Pirates of the Caribbean books by Rob Kidd canon? - A: The Pirates of the Cari