[2011] Sweet & Salty: A Pirate Love Story (middle-grade adventure novel)

This is the opening to a middle-grade (ages 9-12) adventure novel.

I'm looking for general feedback, as well as comments on readability, engagement, humor, and age appropriateness. I want it to be enjoyable for adults too, so feedback from that perspective is helpful.

If anyone has a kid, I’d love to hear their thoughts on this!

I’m also unsure about the title being unappealing to boys.

Story

Crits

[1231] (https://old.reddit.com/r/DestructiveReaders/comments/13qg4i7/1231_maliks_dreams/jlgtp93/)

[1135] (https://old.reddit.com/r/DestructiveReaders/comments/13ddceo/1135_blame_it_on_procedure_ch_1/jlmtvdm/)