“Can I Be a Pirate?” Holds Strong in Amazon’s Top 10 for Over a Month—A Story of Unlikely Supremacy in Children’s Education Publishing

Can I Be a Pirate?, the bold and timely children’s book from husband-and-wife duo Kara and Monty Floyd, has once again made waves—this time by holding steady at #7 on Amazon.com’s Education (Sociology) bestseller list for over a month straight. The book, which explores themes of identity, truth, and parental rights through a witty and empowering lens, is now also considered one of Amazon’s “Most Wished For” titles in its category—appearing alongside heavyweight academic texts from publishers like Pearson and top-ranked adolescent education resources.

This achievement marks the second major rise for Can I Be a Pirate? on the global bookseller’s platform. Upon its release in September 2024, the book rocketed to the #1 spot in Amazon’s overall Children’s Books humor category, holding that prestigious rank for three consecutive weeks. It outsold titles from cultural giants such as Disney's Frozen, Jimmy Fallon, and the Captain Underpants franchise.

The book’s initial run at #1 could have lasted even longer if not for a technical misstep. Staff at Vulpine Publishing, the upstart publisher behind the release, accidentally triggered a category change, moving the title out of the children’s category into the general book listings. This caused Amazon to reset its ranking metrics, knocking the book out of the top spot prematurely. Since then, the team has learned important, and often unwritten, lessons about how Amazon’s ranking system operates behind the scenes.

Despite that early hiccup, Can I Be a Pirate? has proven its staying power. With nearly a full year on the market, the book remains a consistent fixture in the top 10 for educational titles, a feat almost unheard of in today’s oversaturated book market. Originally breaking the top 10 back in March 2025, it has steadily climbed back up the charts, while other titles have come and gone. In June it broke into the #9 slot, shot up to the 8th spot in July, and today on August 2nd it now holds the 7th spot (and it's still climbing).

Behind the Book: Advocacy Meets Authorship

What sets Can I Be a Pirate? apart isn’t just its commercial success, it’s the deeply personal and political story behind its creation. Co-authors Kara and Monty Floyd were inspired to write the book after uncovering a high-profile coverup in their home county of Hernando, Florida in 2023. The case involved a biological male teacher undergoing gender transition who allegedly made threats against students. Despite mounting concerns from parents and whistleblowers, school district officials and other local authorities allowed the teacher to remain in the classroom for weeks, sparking public outrage.

It was the Floyds, through their leadership in the Hernando County chapter of Moms for Liberty, who brought the story to light. Their efforts drew national attention, culminating in action from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Education, which ultimately led to the removal of the teacher and an internal investigation of the district.

The more bizarre, and controversial, element of the case emerged during the media firestorm: the teacher’s spouse and fellow Fox Chapel Middle School teacher self-identified as a trans-species mermaid, and the couple had allegedly engaged in behavior that some parents and investigators described as grooming. The Floyds have since uncovered multiple instances of such misconduct across the Hernando County School District, strengthening their resolve to protect children and empower parents.

The satire in Can I Be a Pirate? draws directly from this experience, providing a clever and age-appropriate entry point for discussing serious cultural and educational issues with children—without preaching or pandering.

The Authors at a Glance

Kara Floyd is a trained sociologist with degrees from the University of South Florida, including an MBA in Human Resources Administration. She serves as the COO of FLOCO Media, President of Vulpine Publishing, and Chair and Founder of the Hernando County Moms for Liberty. She is also a proud mother of four.

Monty Floyd, a former school board candidate (2022), holds a Master’s in Human Services Administration and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Applied Theology. He is the CEO of FLOCO Media, President of Fox Fire Records, and Vice Chair of the local Moms for Liberty chapter. He, too, is a father of four, and an outspoken advocate for parental rights and educational reform.

A Rare Publishing Phenomenon

In an era when children’s books are increasingly dominated by corporate franchises and watered-down messaging, Can I Be a Pirate? stands out for its courage, clarity, and staying power. Very few titles remain in the Amazon Top 10 for a full year, especially in the fiercely competitive children’s education sector. Yet this book continues to sail ahead, fueled not just by clever storytelling, but by a real-life mission to defend childhood and truth.

With its one-year anniversary fast approaching, Can I Be a Pirate? is not only a literary success, but a cultural milestone, a sign that parents across America are hungry for bold, honest, and values-driven stories that reflect their concerns and hopes for the next generation.