I was required to read this for my children's lit class this term. I figured it would be fun since it's a classic I had not yet gotten to and it's pirates, adventure, a daring young boy... How wrong I was. I found it boring, often confusing, and slow. If I was a young preteen or teen reading this, I would be totally exasperated. I have to say I liked Muppet Treasure Island better - and that was not good either.