The Goosebumps SlappyWorld book where kids go on a sea-faring adventure.
Violet and Shawn Packer have been sent to visit their uncle Jim, a retired admiral living in a lighthouse. Unfortunately for them, Admiral Jim's home is full of secrets, including Captain Jack the pirate and his crew, who were magically imprisoned in jack-in-the-boxes until Violet and Shawn unwittingly release them. Now, the Captain wants them to help him rescue his canary, Captain Pip, and won't take no for an answer...
This book provides examples of:
- The Legend of Chekhov: Uncle Jim tells the kids the tale of Danny Lubin, a man who was lost at sea for 300 days and died, while his cat survived after being taught English. Near the end, Danny's ghost appears and scares off Jack.
- Cloud Cuckoolander: Mad Madeline, who is always saying weird things that don't to have anything to do with the situation.
- Lighthouse Point: Uncle Jim lives in an old lighthouse, which the visit a creepy vibe made worse by the kids being warned that something off is going on over there.
- Multiple Head Case: One person in Jack's crew has two heads, and they are always bickering. Their names are Salty and Pepper.
- Obfuscating Stupidity: One of the pirates is called Mad Madeline, and seems to fit her name. But it turns out she is just faking it.
- Pirate Parrot: Jack has a one-legged canary that he wants the kids to rescue. They bring the wrong one, but he accepts it anyway.
- Reused Character Design: The design for Jack on the cover was previously used by the same artist, Brandon Dorman, for a book called Pirates of the Sea
- Scary Jack-in-the-Box: The titular Jack spawns from a Jack in the Box.
- Talk Like a Pirate: Aside from the actual pirates talking like this, Uncle Jim does as well even though he's a modern (retired) sailor.
- Talking Animal: Their uncle owns a cat who was trained to talk years ago while its owner was lost at sea.
- Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?: The fearsome Jack the Knife turns out to be scared of ghosts, and thus Danny Lubbins appearing scares him off.
- You Said You Would Let Them Go: Jack promises the kids he will let Jim go if they get him his parrot back. Naturally, he does not uphold it, as a "Pirate's Promise" is worth nothing.
