Series description:

PIRATE ACADEMY:

The year is 2507. The oceans have risen. A new dawn of piracy has begun.

Step inside the elite PIRATE ACADEMY, where Jacoby Blunt, Jasmine Peacock and Neo Splice are amongst the young pirate apprentices, being trained by legendary pirate captains to become the best of the best. This is no ordinary school – the young pirate apprentices are trained in everything from Sailing and Swords through to Extreme Maritime Survival.

It’s a time of great change and increasing danger as the ruthless and mysterious League of True Pirates challenges the Pirate Federation for control of the oceans.

A swashbuckling new adventure series for readers aged 7+ set within the VAMPIRATES universe.

The books are best read in order. You do not need any prior knowledge of VAMPIRATES to enjoy PIRATE ACADEMY.

“A gloriously action-packed adventure, full of characters you really care about.”

Cressida Cowell

Book 1: New Kid on Deck

DESCRIPTION:

BOOK 1: NEW KID ON DECK

The year is 2507. The oceans have risen. A new dawn of piracy has begun.

 

Jacoby Blunt and Jasmine Peacock are students at the elite Pirate Academy. This is no ordinary school! Lessons range from Knots Class and Sailing to Combat Workshop. The students hail from famous pirate families. The teachers are all legendary sea captains. The pressure is always on and friendship is everything.

 

When a new kid – the mysterious Neo Splice – arrives, everything changes FAST. Suddenly, the dangers are no longer out at sea but stalking the classrooms and corridors of Pirate Academy. In the face of real peril, the students of Barracuda class must put everything they have learned to the test against an unexpected and ruthless new enemy.

 

Welcome to Pirate Academy, where every day is a swashbuckling adventure!

Click here to Read an Extract (PDF)
Pirate Academy New Kid on Deck

Available from all good bookshops
Hive
Bookshop.org
Amazon
Waterstones
TGJones

Pirate Academy New Kid on Deck

Available from all good bookshops
Booktopia
Dymocks
Readings
QBD

Available from all good bookshops
USA:

Barnes and Noble
Amazon.com
Books-a-million
Target
Walmart
Bookshop.org


Canada:

Indigo
Amazon.ca

Book 2: Missing at Sea

DESCRIPTION:

BOOK 2: MISSING AT SEA

Pirate Academy is buzzing with excitement as “Oceans Bound” weekend looms. For the first time, the students of Barracuda class will set sail for 48 hours, without any teachers.

 

But, even before the expedition starts, dangers begin to gather – with the news that Jasmine’s Uncle Noah has escaped from the Pirate Federation’s maximum security prison.

 

Once Jasmine, Jacoby, Neo and their friends sail out to sea, the jeopardy soon rises. Our plucky young pirate apprentices face peril in the shape of snakes, spiders, sharks and skulls!

 

It begins to look like the villainous League of True Pirates has taken control of Oceans Bound. Can the Barracudas save each other and live to swashbuckle another day?

Click here to Read an Extract (PDF)
Pirate Academy Missing at Sea

Available from all good bookshops
Hive
Bookshop.org
Amazon
Waterstones
TGJones

pirate_academy_book2_cover_AUS

Available from all good bookshops
Booktopia
Dymocks
Readings
QBD

Available from all good bookshops
USA:

Barnes and Noble
Amazon.com
Books-a-million
Target
Walmart
Bookshop.org


Canada:

Indigo
Amazon.ca

Book 3: Sword Echoes

DESCRIPTION:

BOOK 3: SWORD ECHOES

The kids of Barracuda class are shocked to the core when one of their favourite teachers is revealed to be an agent of the League of True Pirates.

 

Jacoby tries to make sense of the betrayal – and discovers evidence that one of his own classmates may be LOT P’s next target.

 

Jasmine launches a maverick sailing mission to reunite with her father, but soon finds herself voyaging in highly dangerous waters.

 

Neo is following a treasure-trail left by his mother, far away from the Academy. At the end of his journey lies an amazing gift: a sword with untold powers that, in the right hands, might just change everything.

Click here to Read an Extract (PDF)
Pirate Academy Sword Echoes

Available from all good bookshops
Hive
Bookshop.org
Amazon
Waterstones
TGJones

Available from all good bookshops
Coming in 2026

Available from all good bookshops
Coming in 2026


Canada:

Coming in 2026

“Shiver our timbers, this new book from Justin Somper is a swashbucklingly good read.”

Bentley Heath Ps Book Club

“Jam-packed full of friendship, pirate adventures and high peril. Plus the coolest character names ever… I want to go to Pirate Academy and I cannot wait for the next instalment!”

Serena Lacey

“Justin brilliantly captures the essence of friendship, highlighting its importance in times of adversity.”

Nicki Cleveland, Miss Cleveland Reads

“The characters are engaging and fun, and the plot keeps readers guessing until the very end.”

Veronica Price, V’s View from the Bookshelves

“Full of adventure and hilarious excitement, this book has it all. Middle grade readers are going to love it.”

Emma Suffield, Little Blog of Library Treasures

“PIRATE ACADEMY offers mischief, laughs and swashbuckling adventure.”

Tom Griffiths, Check ‘em Out Books

“Compelling, dangerous and perfectly written for middle grade readers.”

Erin Hamilton, My Shelves are Full

“There are so many wonderful characters in the story, including a few familiar faces from the VAMPIRATES books.”

Danni Williams, For Books Sake

“Jacoby, Jasmine and Neo are a great trio of characters that young readers will love.”

Jacqui Sydney, Mrs Sydney’s Famous World’s Smallest Library

“PIRATE ACADEMY: NEW KID ON DECK is perfectly pitched for the lower end of MG… Excellent strong female characters, action, adventure and friendship await!”

Bev Humprey, @Libwithattitude

“The students of PIRATE ACADEMY are the sort of diverse, eclectic and intriguing young people that you want to become.”

Jim Sells

“Grips you from the first page to the last. A thrilling adventure from the master of pirate stories.”

Jane Etheridge, Federation Of Children’s Book Groups

“Transporting readers to a thrilling world where piracy meets mystery… With vivid characters and heart-pounding twists, Justin Somper crafts an adventure brimming with excitement.”

Dean Boddington, No Shelf Control

“A brilliantly swashbuckling series that really is going from strength to strength.”

JAKE HOPE, Awards Executive, YOTO Carnegies

“Top Gun for Pirates.”

Quacked Spines Podcast

“With short, punchy chapters, the narrative is accessible and moves along at a good pace, making it ideal for newly independent readers.”

Booktrust

“An imaginative and action-packed novel with a warm heart.”

Teach Primary

“I cannot wait to find out what happens next.” *****

Natasha Harding, The Sun

“Rip-roaring doesn’t come close to describing this thrilling pirate adventure.”

Andrea Reece, Love Reading 4 Kids

“PIRATE ACADEMY is a swashbuckling success! Filled with edge-of-your-seat adventure, a dash of mystery, and fabulously authentic friendships, this is one perilous pirate school I didn't want to leave.”

Mel Taylor-Bessent

“A brilliant tale, fizzing with invention and excitement. Sign me up for Pirate Academy right now please!”

Chris Smith

“With characters you’ll want as your best friends forever, this is a glorious thrill of a salty saga – spine tingling, fast moving, totally unputdownable!”

Vivian French

“Pace, peril and a pirate-filled page-turner of a plot. I loved it!”

Abi Elphinstone

“Written with heart and humour by one of the best in the business.”

Laura Dockrill

“A gloriously action-packed adventure, full of characters you really care about.”

Cressida Cowell

“All the rip-roaring adventure you would expect from a Justin Somper book. Pirates done right! I love this world.”

Eoin Colfer

“A storming success! Justin is at the top of his game with this funny, thrilling and full-on high-seas adventure.”

Chris Braford

"Set in a brilliant nautical world full of danger and daring, PIRATE ACADEMY: NEW KID ON DECK on Deck had me racing through the pages to find out what would happen next!”

Jennifer Bell

“A swashbuckling pirate school adventure with loyalty and friendship at its core.”

Janine Beacham

“It’s another gem – carefully crafted, compelling characters and all sorts of intrigue. The Academy already has enough to recommend it, filled as it is with swashbuckling legends and satisfying turns and tussles along the way.”

Guy Bass

 

Keep in touch

Subscribe to my newsletter

Be the first to hear what’s happening! Sign up below to receive my regular newsletter - with news, insider intel and exclusive competitions.

    somps@justinsomper.com