- simple summer plans transform into a fantastical adventure for three 12-year-olds when they join their scientist parents on an exploratory visit to an uninhabited island
- science focuses: astronomy, mineralogy, marine biology, and more
- convo: a few more intense moments (such as a brief kidnapping) might need a parent to help navigate, magical elements, fantasy creatures, song lyrics mention rum, the adults drink wine on one occasion, the subject of lying
- language: blast x1, stupid x1
- humor, clean language, and a convincing plot make for an excellent family read-aloud
Type: chapter book
Ages: 9+ (younger okay if listening to a parent read)
Author: Carrie Brownell
Illustrator: Joe Hox
I purposely kept my bullet points above to be a little vague, because there are delicious twists I wouldn’t want to give away! If you’ve been around here for a while, you’ll know I’m annoyingly picky and careful about my recommendations. Ha. Keeping that in mind, know that I have zero reservations about recommending this book.
It’s clear Brownell did significant research as she crafted this delightful story. Readers will “accidentally” learn bits about ships, stars, Irish lore, whales, and even some British history.
I especially appreciated that the children were respectful to adults, knew lying was bad (though they are put into some tricky situations involving untruths), and generally obeyed the rules. Two of them are brother-sister twins who [infrequently] bicker, but it only made the story more believable. Brother truly looked out for sister when she needed it, which was lovely.
If I was forced to give some criticism, I’d say it was a tad long. Brownell has a very matter-of-fact and thorough way of describing each situation. My 10-year-old girl will absolutely love it (much of the text is just like she talks), but parents might find that it could have been a little shorter. Since this is her debut book, I’m overall impressed and eager to read her next one…which is sitting on my Kindle as I type this!
For curious parents, there are virtually no religious elements. Once, a person is said to pray (it’s not written out) and later in the book, we see something embroidered with “The Lord guide and preserve thee until the end.” Idolatry is mentioned a few times, as something is made “a god.” God Himself is mentioned once as someone thinks, “God bless _____.”
Summertime, Norwegian islands, sandy beaches, forest hikes, swimming, friendships, caves, and mystery. Your family is going to love it!
“Every boy possesses a desire deep within himself to test limits, to push back against the elements, and to take risks in order to have a chance to make history in some fashion or another.”
“Most places on the island gave off a strong impression of being touched by fairy tale magic, and the children were intrigued by every bit of it.”
“…a life without questions seemed rather a dull one.”
“The powerful force of the water tumbling and flowing past made them realize just how small they were in the created order of things.”
“…he gave into the lie that men regularly fall prey to–the one that says they are owed more than they have been given.”
“Her friends were her many books and she knew, as all readers do, that good books make good company.”
“It was low tide but you could hear the ocean’s distant roar. It wasn’t the same sound that the ocean made in the daylight, Bert was quite certain. But perhaps it was just that in the daytime there were so many other distractions for one’s senses. Without the sun to highlight any variety of things, the world became simpler and more focused.”
“Nature is most in balance when it operates as designed.”