Seafaring nations may be miles apart geographically but they share a love of storytelling and singing. Song of the Sea collects the myths, legends, and tunes of sailors the world over. From selkies and salty dogs, chanties and charts, to mermaids and monsters and pirates, there’s a story for everyone. Sailors are very superstitious: learn which days are lucky for sailing and how to avoid inadvertently causing calamity aboard ship. Discover why a dead sailor stows away for eternity in Davy Jones Locker. Finally, read about the gruesome end that awaited a convicted pirate – after he was hanged for his crimes. Grade 5 Up-Spencer packs a bit of everything into this sea-themed tome. There is some poetry, including excerpts from Alfred, Lord Tennyson and e. e. cummings, and some longer works for which no author or source is provided. There are myths and folktales aplenty, most of which are familiar, such as "Sedna," "Poseidon," and "Jonah and the Whale," and all of which are readily available in other sources. The pirate lore does not mince words on the grisly details; such practices as cutting off a sailor's lips or ears, frying them, then serving them to the victim are graphically described. There are stories of sea monsters, tall tales, lists of superstitions, as well as excerpts from firsthand accounts of mermaid sightings, etc. While this is a treasure trove for those captivated by the sea, Spencer has provided only a bibliography of her sources, and not the proper source documentation for the individual selections. The book is enhanced by Lang's line drawings and will be popular where interest in the subject is high. Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. Gr. 4-6. This handsome volume, a trade paperback, introduces sea lore and mythology from many traditions. The thematic arrangement places a Haida prayer for calm waters beside a Chinese myth concerning a sea goddess; the tale of the Flying Dutchman after a Nova Scotian's memories of ghostly visions at sea. In contrast, the chapter on pirates is informational, featuring topics such the pirate flag and Blackbeard. The section on sea monsters includes the Biblical account of Jonah and the whale, the Norse story of the fearsome Midgard Serpent, and, from the Greek tradition, Odysseus' journey past Scylla, Charybdis, and the Sirens. Spencer's cogent, even-keeled retellings and Mark Lang's attractive ink drawings will draw young readers willingly into this treasure trove. Carolyn Phelan Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved Seafaring nations may be miles apart geographically but they share a love of storytelling and singing. Song of the Sea collects the myths, legends, and tunes of sailors the world over. From selkies and salty dogs, chanties and charts, to mermaids and monsters and pirates, there?s a story for everyone. Sailors are very superstitious: learn which days are lucky for sailing and how to avoid inadvertently causing calamity aboard ship. Discover why a dead sailor stows away for eternity in Davy Jones Locker. Finally, read about the gruesome end that awaited a convicted pirate ? after he was hanged for his crimes. Ann Spencer is a broadcast journalist and writer who grew up in Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, the home of Canada’s best known sailing vessel, the Bluenose . She is the author of the adult biography, Alone at Sea: The Adventures of Joshua Slocum . Used Book in Good Condition