19. The Pirates of the Caribbean The Curse of the Black Pearl

Book 19: The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl the junior novelization adapted by Irene Trimble (C+)

I have to keep in mind that this is a "junior novelization." The book was pretty much a direct screenplay of the favored film starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, and Geoffory Rush from the Disney Vault. However, it lacked all and any detail.
Captain Jack Sparrow is introduced as "... far below the cliff in a small, leaky bit of a boat stood one of the sliest pirates ever to sail the Spanish Main. Captain Jack Sparrow was his name" (13). Then, that's it! No description of facial features, clothes, or any indication of why he might be the "sliest" (which was incorrectly spelled in the book) pirate ever.
The jewel of the book lies in its short chapters, which all readers love, and sticking to the script. The only major line that wasn't in the book - and this is completely unforgivable - is "BUT WHY IS THE RUM GONE!?!"

Still, if I were 13 years old, this would be the perfect reading companion to the movie. It is a wonderful way to read one's favorite movie in a non-script-like fashion with all the favorite swashbuckling pirates, damsels in distress, and plundering.

Trimble, Irene. The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Junior Novelization. New York: Random House, 2003. Print.