How to Be a Pirate, by Cressida Cowell

"How to Be a Pirate" is Cressida Cowell's second "How to Train Your Dragon" book.  Like the first, it is funny and good-natured.  I considered reading the whole series, but decided that I should keep the rest for when I really need a relaxing, amusing read (in between the next heavy teen novels).  I loved this book like I loved the first, and like the first my only significant issue was the lack of female characters.  I don't think a single girl or woman was mentioned in this book, not even Hiccup's mother Valhallarama.  I'm a little perplexed by this.  I know that research suggests that boys are much more interested in books that feature male protagonists, but this doesn't explain why there should be no female characters at all in an entire novel.  Nevertheless, I laughed a lot at this book and read with great joy.  When I have the time, I'll certainly be reading the rest of Cowell's novels.