The Monster Bones of St. Frederick Island - Book 3 of the Buccaneers Series
Formats: E-Book, Audio, Paperback
Ages: 8-11
Three children whose inquisitive minds find them on a family vacation smack in the middle of adventures that seem to be just waiting for them. Unknown to our intrepid vacationers, a long-ago group of brave and curious eighth graders on their remote destination island of St. Frederick formed a group of amateur detectives known as the Buccaneers.
Together with the third generation Buccaneers, these clever kids discover some of the ancient mysteries of the island when they use these new-found friends at St. Frederick's local newspaper and the Native American community. Caves with ancient drawings, time travel and a mysterious skeleton pose the thrills that await them. They solve the mystery of those monster Bones found on a St. Frederick beach that puzzled the islanders and the scientists for many years.
Reviews
Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite In The Monster Bones of St. Frederick Island by Linda Maria Frank and JoAnn Vergona Krapp, brother and sister Douglas and Janet, their parents, and their friend, Wesley, embark on what they believe will be a normal family vacation, only for it to turn into a mystery they are determined to figure out. Their trip to Bar Harbor, Maine, leads them to the nearby St. Frederick Island. They soon learn of the rich history of Native Americans there, pirate legends, and stories of a mysterious "monster" found on the shore. The fossil remains were discovered years ago by a group of young sleuths called the Buccaneers. They take guided cave tours, search the newspaper archives, and talk to island locals to learn the truth about the skeleton. Will they be able to uncover the bones' origins and how they ended up on the beach? Reading The Monster Bones of St. Frederick Island by Linda Maria Frank and JoAnn Vergona Krapp reminded me so much of The Magic Tree House books by Mary Pope Osborne. It combines a pair of kids who stumble into a mystery or historical event and must investigate it. It made me smile when the series was mentioned in this tale. From an educator's perspective, this book would spark great classroom discussions about fossils/bones, Indigenous history/people, and a family trip. I think it could be extended by having students write mock "newspaper" articles or draw a mysterious animal or their skeleton. The pacing makes it perfect for fans who enjoy shorter chapter books with a bit of mystery or exploration. Adventures like this show us how exploring the past means listening to the legends of the land and its people. Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite In Linda Maria Frank and JoAnn Vergona Krapp's The Monster Bones of St. Frederick Island, Douglas Crawford travels to coastal Maine with his parents, his sister Janet, and his friend Wesley for a summer vacation that changes course after Douglas learns about a large skeleton discovered years earlier on a nearby island. His search begins at a local newspaper office and leads him through ferry crossings, archived reports, and guided access to caves overseen by the North Breeze community. With help from the island residents, Douglas traces how the bones were found, why they were never removed, and how older records connect to living memory. As the family's trip continues, Douglas must navigate who controls the past and who is permitted to ask questions. What starts as curiosity becomes an investigation that tests boundaries. Linda Maria Frank and JoAnn Vergona Krapp's The Monster Bones of St. Frederick Island, book three of The Buccaneers of St. Frederick Island series, is the kind of book where you open it and say, "Oh yeah, I'm in." It's got mystery, family ties, old bones, secret caves, and kids who actually pay attention when history starts talking back. I love how Douglas starts as a curious kid poking through dusty articles in The Foghorn, then steps up when those clues start meaning something bigger. Janet's nerve inside the sacred cave is rock solid, and Wesley? He has real energy, steady and loyal, the kind of friend you want when things get serious. The illustrations by Marianne Savage offer visuals to young readers, and Bar Harbor feels like a textured, tangible place, busy and real. This is a perfect read for kids and adults who enjoy good storytelling and a great mystery. Very highly recommended.
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, Expertly Crafted Story Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2026 Format: Audiobook The Buccaneers of St. Frederick Island is a true adventure story. I’m far beyond the reading age of 7-12 year olds, as suggested for readers of this book, Actually I read it along with my three grandchildren, enjoyed it as much as any of them, and it led to some lively post reading discussions.. The young protagonists are smart and adventuresome, determined to solve some ancient mysteries, and succeed handsomely. As a reader, I was never bored and enjoyed many page turning moments. As a writer I appreciated the skills involved in a finely crafted, expertly honed story. Bravo to authors Linda Maria Fran and JoAnn Vergona Krapp. Lois W. Stern
