About the Author

Bob Temple lives in Rosemount, Minnesota, with his wife and three children. He has written more than thirty books for children. Over the years, he has coached more than twenty kids' soccer, basketball, and baseball teams. He also loves visiting classrooms to talk about his writing.

Reviews

These adventures abound with historical facts as readers decide which way the story will progress. In Pirates, options include joining the dreaded Blackbeard or being marooned on a desert island. In Titanic, however, no matter which route is chosen, the ship still sinks, though in some cases "you" are saved, whereas in others, you die. The language used throughout each book will be clear to readers as young as third grade, but even sixth graders will be taken in by the interactive format. Pirates is peppered with myriad color drawings; Titanic displays mostly period photographs. In both texts, a final chapter, outside the interactive section, offers further historical details.-- "School Library Journal"

The new series called "You Choose" is an innovative way of bringing history to children. Those familiar with the always popular "Choose Your own Adventure" series will recognize how these books work. There are three main story lines leading to thirty-eight different choices and fourteen endings. This title is concerned with the Age of Pirates during the late sixteen hundreds to the seventeen twenties. The reader chooses to be part of the Royal English Navy, a sailor on a merchant ship, or a pirate. Historical facts and conditions are accurately described and give children a true impression of life as a sailor. Several additions at the end of the book provide a time line, glossary, bibliography, and an index. Directions are also provided for the use of the Internet site "Fact-Hound" to gather additional information. This series is sure to be a hit, especially with boys who are reluctant readers. If the six other available titles are as well done as this one, they are a welcome addition to collections for middle readers. However, the steep price may be a deterring factor.-- "Children's Literature Comprehensive Database"