Legend of Gasparilla A Tale for All Ages

The Legend of Gasparilla: A Tale for All Ages is a 46 chapter,304 page young adult historical fiction novel that involves a mixture of actual history and the mythology of Gasparilla who founded and ruled a confederation of pirates. The pirates that roamed the oceans are known for wrecking ships, taking captives, and burying treasures along the coastal United States. But they also established confederacies that were working democracies. Author James Kaserman researched pirates and their cultures in Florida, the world, and even the Ohio River, home to some of the most treacherous pirates in history. His first book Gasparilla: Pirate Genius, ISBN 0-9674081-0-5 based on the life of fictional pirate Jose Gaspar has sold thousands of copies for an adult market. In collaboration with his teacher wife, Sarah Jane, the Kaserman's have adapted the story for young adult readers and for use in schools and libraries. The Legend of Gasparilla: A Tale for All Ages is a tragic love story that begins in Spain, where Jose is educated at the naval academy, learns morals and ethics, and becomes a widely popular heroic naval officer rising to the rank of admiral. During this rise in power, he incurs the hatred of evil members of the royal court. After an unspeakable personal tragedy, Gaspar takes to the seas and becomes a powerful pirate primarily in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. He deplores the slavers he encounters and vows to establish a democracy in which all people are treated with respect. The Kasermans' novel for young adults is filled with adventure and information about ships, naval encounters, pirates, governments of the era that are historically correct. The Legend of Gasparilla: A Tale for All Ages includes a number of pen and ink illustrations by Sunny Lee Grabert.Kaserman, James F. is the author of 'Legend of Gasparilla A Tale for All Ages' with ISBN 9780967408118 and ISBN 0967408113.