Shanghaied aboard the captain's ship, Bloody Hand, Oliver sails the high seas in pursuit of the ghost of Gentleman Jack, who paces his grave where pirate treasure lies buried. "You'll be me eyes, boy!" Once Oliver spots the vaporous gent, Captain Scratch and his crew of cutthroats will know where to dig for the long-lost treasure.

Oliver is determined to outfox the crafty captain despite a shipwreck, the night of the dredgies when sea ghosts climb aboard, and "other events too horrible to mention." It's a tale of treachery, intrigue, and suspense, written with gusto by the Newbery Medalist.

"The wind is howling and through the door comes Captain Scratch, a villain if I ever saw one."

So begins the adventures of young Oliver Finch, born at the stroke of midnight. "Aye, there's a wonderous power in it," says Captain Scratch, believing that the midnght-born can spy out ghosts.

Shanghaied aboard the captain's ship, Bloody Hand, Oliver sails the high seas in pursuit of the ghost of Gentleman Jack, who paces his grave where pirate treasure lies buried. "You'll be me eyes, boy!" Once Oliver spots the vaporous gent, Captain Scratch and his crew of cutthroats will know where to dig for the long-lost treasure.

Oliver is determined to outfox the crafty captin despite a shipwreck, the night of the dredgies when sea ghosts climb aboard, and "other events too horrible to mention." It's a tale of treachery, intrigue, and suspense, written with gusto by the Newberry Medalist.