An Island of Our Own product reviews

I have been on leave for a week, so I wanted something that was going to be uplifting and engaging to read over the time. I tend to read for relaxation, but often can't relax enough for reading when I'm working. So having time for a good book, and having a selection of books to choose from was perfect. I picked this book up because the cover art as really striking. The bright splodge in the middle of the white, has so much hidden detail when you look at it for a while.

This book is written from the point of view of a 12- 13 year old Holly. She is smart and funny, impulsive and analytical. She is also an orphan being raised by her eldest brother. He is doing the best he can, but things are tight financially and he is struggling, not just with the money, but the housework and life in general. For the trio (there is a little brother too), things go from bad to worse.

Luckily for them, they have some amazing friends and a stroke of luck that leads to a pretty cool adventure as well. The adventure involves a lot of details, that showed that a great deal of research had gone into the mechanics of everything that happened. I liked this, because it was easy to get lost in the story and I wasn't constantly thinking "hang on, but how did they do that?" Things weren't super predictable either, so I was kept guessing a few times.

Along the way on their adventure, they are reminded about the cool stuff about being alive. For me, this book was really inspiring and uplifting. I did try to read some to my daughter, but at 8 years old she felt it was too sad. She struggles with the idea of children without parents, so it just wasn't for her. On the other hand, I found the fun it the book. There are definitely a few giggles. And I geeked out about the cool STEM research space they have in the book too.