Bloggin' 'bout Books: Beautiful, Multi-layered Orphan Island Offers Plenty of Food for Thought

2022 Literary Escapes Challenge

- ~~Alabama~~ (1)

- ~~Alaska~~ (1)

- Arizona

- Arkansas

- ~~California~~ (2)

- ~~Colorado~~ (1)

- Connecticut

- Delaware

- Florida

- ~~Georgia~~ (1)

- ~~Hawaii~~ (1)

- Idaho

- ~~Illinois~~ (1)

- ~~Indiana~~ (1)

- ~~Iowa~~ (1)

- Kansas

- Kentucky

- Louisiana

- ~~Maine~~ (1)

- ~~Maryland~~ (2)

- ~~Massachusetts~~ (4)

- ~~Michigan~~ (2)

- ~~Minnesota~~ (1)

- ~~Mississippi~~ (1)

- Missouri

- Montana

- Nebraska

- Nevada

- New Hampshire

- New Jersey

- New Mexico

- ~~New York~~ (5)

- ~~North Carolina~~ (2)

- North Dakota

- ~~Ohio~~ (1)

- Oklahoma

- Oregon

- ~~Pennsylvania~~ (2)

- ~~Rhode Island~~ (1)

- South Carolina

- South Dakota

- ~~Tennessee~~ (1)

- ~~Texas~~ (2)

- ~~Utah~~ (1)

- ~~Vermont~~ (2)

- ~~Virginia~~ (1)

- ~~Washington~~ (3)

- West Virginia

- ~~Wisconsin~~ (1)

- Wyoming

- Washington, D.C.* (1)

International:

Antarctica (1)

Australia (2)

Egypt (2)

England (11)

Italy (1)

Nepal (1)

Romania (1)

Scotland (3)

Sweden (1)

Beautiful, Multi-layered Orphan Island Offers Plenty of Food for Thought

6:24 PM

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

Although the kids on the island can't remember their lives away, they know they're better off on their island paradise. After all, their home is a magical place full of beauty, camaraderie, and safety. They're sheltered, always. They can't fall off the cliffs—the wind pushes them right back. They can't be bitten or stung—even the poisonous snakes are docile as lambs. As long as they follow the rules, the island protects and provides.

One of the rules dictates that every year a young child arrives mysteriously in a self-propelled green boat. The oldest islander must then climb into the boat and be steered away, never to be heard from again. No one knows where the newbies come from or where the Elders go. They simply welcome those who come and mourn those who leave. It has always been this way; it will always be this way. After all, everyone knows the rhyme: Nine on an island, orphans all, Any more, the sky might fall.

When a new child arrives at the island begging for her "mama," Jinny—the eldest—begins to question everything she's always been told. Who are she and her friends, really? Why are they on this strange island? As Jinny digs for answers, she sets in motion a shocking chain of events that will change everything.

Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder is a gorgeously-written middle grade novel that explores a variety of intriguing themes. Although it's a compelling mystery/adventure with enough action to keep a child's attention, the story's also rich in symbolism and allegory that will please deep-thinking adults. Multi-layered and mysterious, Orphan Island will keep you guessing, especially since its ending remains open to interpretation. If you're looking for a read that will provoke lively conversation at your next book club meeting, give this one a go. I'm not sure I'd consider Orphan Island a favorite of mine, but it's definitely worthy of an A grade. Even months after reading it, I'm still pondering all its possible meanings.

(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Giver by Lois Lowry, The Maze Runner by James Dashner, and of the The Truman Show)

Grade:

If this were a movie, it would be rated:

for violence and scenes of peril

To the FTC, with love: I borrowed a copy of Orphan Island from my daughter's elementary school as part of my volunteer work with the school's reading program.

9 comments:

Jenny01 February, 2018 19:17
I’ve heard good things about this one. I need to get a copy.
ReplyDelete
Replies
Helen's Book Blog01 February, 2018 20:29
This book sounds so different from everything else out there and now I want to know where the kids come from and where they go when they leave.
ReplyDelete
Replies
Kay02 February, 2018 05:12
I like the sound of this one and had heard about it. Off to see if my library has it - bet they do! Thanks and anytime I see an A from you, I feel it's worth checking out. You're a tough grader. LOL
ReplyDelete
Replies
Katherine P02 February, 2018 07:05
Oh this sounds fascinating! I've been trying to find new Middle Grade and this sounds fascinating. A little like Lost but hopefully it makes a bit more sense! I'm definitely adding it to my TBR. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete
Replies
Jenni Elyse06 February, 2018 01:38
This is good to know. It sounds like it would be a good book to read for our book club. Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

Comments make me feel special, so go crazy! Just keep it clean and civil. Feel free to speak your mind (I always do), but be aware that I will delete any offensive comments.

P.S.: Don't panic if your comment doesn't show up right away. I have to approve each one before it posts to prevent spam. It's annoying, but it works!

Search This Blog

Love reading challenges? Check out my other blog:

2022 Literary Escapes Challenge

My Progress:

2022 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

My Progress:

2022 Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge

My Progress:

2022 Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge

My Progress:

Booklist Queen's 2022 Reading Challenge

My Progress:

Aussie Author Reading Challenge 2022

2022 Nonfiction Reader Challenge

2022 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge

My Progress:

The 52 Book Club's Reading Challenge 2022

My Progress:

2022 Build Your Library Reading Challenge

My Progress:

2022 Support Book Bloggers Challenge

2022 Medical Examiner's Mystery Reading Challenge

Beautiful, Multi-layered Orphan Island Offers Plenty of Food for Thought

9 comments:

Reading

Listening

Followin' with Bloglovin'

Followin' with Feedly

Grab my Button!

Blog Design by:

Blog Archive