Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island is a classic pirate story. The adventure book takes place in England and the Spanish Main. While the reader never knows the exact location of Treasure Island, it is imagined to be in a warm climate with lush vegetation.

Jim Hawkins’s parents run an inn, the Admiral Benbow. A seaman, Bill Bones, comes to the Hawkins’ inn. There he remains, not paying a quid more than the original deposit. Young Jim Hawkins’ ill father passes. Later, a blind man delivers to Bill Bones, the black spot. The black spot is a death notice. Bill Bones dies of a stroke.

After Bill Bones dies, Jim finds a packet which he shows Dr. Livesey and Squire Trelawney. It contains a map of Captain Flint’s hidden treasure. They purchase a schooner and hire Jim on as a cabin boy. Mr. Smollett is the sailing ship’s captain.

Long John Silver, a crew member, is after the treasure. The peg leg pirate incites the crew to a mutiny. The schooner’s owners, captain and the few honest crew members are thrown in a brig. Long John Silver and his men leave to scour the tropical island for the hidden treasure.

Treasure Island’s Jim Hawkins sneaks aboard Long John Silver’s long boat. On the island, Jim leaves the group and secretly slips in the jungle. There he meets, Ben Gunn, a pirate. Gunn sailed with Captain Flint and was marooned for three years on the tropical island.

Using their wiles, the peg leg pirate's prisoners escape from the ship and move to Captain Flint’s stockade. They defend themselves from the pirates. Long John Silver returns to make a deal for the treasure map. If they give him the map, he will give the men safe passage to England.

Of course, they do not trust the pirate leader. More battles are to follow. Ben Gunn shares his secret. Jim has a life and death battle with Israel Hands. Later, he is recaptured by the pirates where he has to do some fast talking.

Read Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island and enjoy Jim Hawkins’ adventures with Long John Silver and his pirates. Look for the pirate treasure chest and fight all kinds of battles. There are swiftly thrown knives and smoking pistols. Treasure Island has been a classic pirate book since first published in 1883.

Treasure Island is available in the the local library. Take a moment and visit the community's hidden treasure. If creating a home library, the book is available at Amazon.com. Happy reading!




Darren Krill's Escape from Treasure Island is a return trip to Treasure Island. A modern day middle school student, Sage, and his Uncle Duncle have new adventures with Long John Silver and his motley crew.

Justin Somper's Vampirates of the Ocean is a pirate story with a twist. The book is set five hundred years in the future and vampires command a pirate ship.

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Children's Books

Dr. Seuss Books
Don Freeman's Books
Stan Berenstain's Books
Magic Tree House Books
Chronicles of Narnia Books
A Series of Unfortunate Events Books
Treasure Island illustrated by John Lawrence
Note: Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson review book is from the library.