Ellery, an older sister, has brought a library book home for her brother Max. It's about pirates. He's not too pleased as it looks rather scary. But Ellery insists on reading it together that night when they're alone in the dark. She begins to read -- and the book text is given in italics. Max keeps suggesting they choose another book, but Ellery persists. Good examples given of how Max predicts how a sentence will end -- e.g., "HE BURIES HIS TREASURES IN..." "Treasure chests," guessed Max. "Coffins," said Ellery. "... IN CHESTS FULL OF...". The two discuss the book as they read it. Ellery tries to spook Max, but in the end even she is spooked as the book comes to life and pirates invade the room. "I think I read too far," she says. Finally a pirate voice tells her to close the book -- and she does. (Max has saved her...) ( )