Reading: THE JOLLY REGINA (THE UNINTENTIONAL ADVENTURES OF THE BLAND SISTERS BOOK 1) - Kara LaReau (writer) & Jen Hill (illustrator)

Kale and Jaundice Bland are a pair of sisters who couldn't live up to their last name more. Since their parents disappeared some time ago on a mysterious errand, the girls have managed to make a living by repairing socks, and never leave the house; even their groceries are delivered in a basket left by the mailbox, and when the normal cheese they use for sandwiches is changed to a difference kind - well, for the Bland sisters this is as shocking as their young lives get.  That is, until a band of all-female pirates shows up at their front door, and the girls are kidnapped and forced to work swabbing the deck of the Jolly Regina, a pirate ship sailing the high seas on a quest to de-throne the current pirate queen ... and may also be a way for the sisters to find their parents again. I read the second book, The Uncanny Express, first and fell in love with author Kara LaReau's homage to Agatha Christie in that book. What showed through like a beacon here in book one is how much I've also come to care about and love Kale and Jaundice themselves - not to mention LaReau's dry wit and sarcastic humor that makes these books as much a joy for adults to read. Though never fear, for young ones there are wonderful messages here about friendship, being yourself, forgiveness, and how to never - ever - eat a stew made by a pirate cook if you don't know what's in it (OMG, seriously Ms. LaReau??). Jen Hill's endearing illustrations only enhance the mood of the story; I always find myself reading along hoping to get to the next one soon. And though I think I might like The Uncanny Express a touch more (maybe due to my lifelong Christie obsession), The Jolly Regina was a marvelous first adventure only solidifying my love for the series - one that culminated with the squeal of glee I couldn't contain upon learning books three, Flight of the Bluebird, releases in January.  4.5/5 stars