Orphan Island

Reviewed by: Connie Smith - Breakwater Sschool, Portland, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 10, 2017

Review

"Orphan Island" is a wonderfully intriguing coming of age book for middle graders. Jinny, the strong and sensitive female protagonist, would make a great character study. Only nine orphans are allowed to live together at one time on Orphan Island per the "rules." Each year a boat mysteriously floats onto the shore of the island bringing one new orphan. At this point the most senior orphan must depart. No one on the island knows where the boat comes from nor do they know its destination. The eldest orphan remaining on the island is responsible for teaching the newest orphan the rules and regulations of living on Orphan Island. Jinny, the protagonist, is terribly conflicted when it's her turn to leave. She wishes to stay with her former charge with whom she has strongly bonded and at the same time she misses her best friend, Dean, who departed the island (without qualms) the year before. Because she defies the rule and chooses to remain on the island, she ends up having two charges for whom she is responsible! And the newer charge certainly gives Jinny a run for her money! Orphan Island, itself, is a metaphor for childhood and the trip on the departing boat represents the unknowable future. Jinny is a strong, independent, risk taking girl who teeters between childhood and adulthood. Jinny's resistance to leaving the island provides wonderful tension and pull throughout the book. Her sensitivity and need still for a safe, secure and familiar environment are most evident in her personal interactions with other orphans. This wonderful coming of age story with an imaginative, unique setting on a wild and beautiful island will quickly draw readers into its mystique. This book would be enjoyed most by girls; however, the male character are interesting and engaging as well.

Overall Book Score: excellent