From School Library Journal
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Gr 3–6—The sound of the bell that signals the boat's arrival fills Jinny with dread. The boat comes yearly,
bringing the new youngest child to the island and taking away the oldest, thus preserving the island's status quo. "Nine
on an island, orphans all, any more the sky might fall." This particular bell means the departure of Jinny's best
friend, Deen, making Jinny the unwilling new Elder and the newest arrival her responsibility. The island has everything
the children need: plentiful fish, nuts, berries, and beehives for honey. There are cabins for ing, a supply of
clothing, and worn books to read. Even the animals are friendly. Everything is idyllic as long as the rules are
followed. When Jinny blatantly breaches a cardinal rule, the island's natural order is upset and everything begins to
change. The children's once benevolent home ceases to provide for them and protect them. Jinny knows she is to blame and
does the only thing she can think of to fix their broken world. The premise is intriguing, the writing is strong, and
the tight pacing will keep readers fully engaged. For those looking for satisfying answers, however, no explanation is
ever given for the adultless island, where the boats come from, or what force holds the island together. Why were the
children sent to the island in the first place? Where do they go when they leave? For the philosophically inclined, the
unanswered questions offer much to ponder and discuss. For more literal-minded young readers, the story is apt to feel
unfinished. Here's hoping a sequel is in the works. VERDICT A good purchase for readers who are interested in dystopian
landscapes but aren't ready for the heavier and more violent themes often found in the genre.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County
Public Library, Cartersville, GA
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Review
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★ “Through the precocious Jinny, Snyder delivers a contemplative commentary on the transition from
childhood to adolescence, and from ignorance to awareness.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review))
“Laurel Snyder has written a story that curls around the heart and pulls in tight—a meditation on the power and wisdom
and closeness and sorrow of childhood. A wondrous book, wise and wild and deeply true. I loved every second of it.”
(Kelly Barnhill, Newbery Medal-winning author of The Girl Who Drank the Moon)
“An elegant and thoughtful meditation on the joys and sorrows of growing up, with lyrical prose, characters that feel as
alive as your dearest friends, and a vivid setting sure to enchant young readers. A work of extraordinary heart.”
(Claire Legrand, author of Some Kind of Happiness)
“A visionary, poignant, astonishingly lovely fable of childhood and change. This is a book to lose yourself in, and to
never forget.” (Anne Ursu, author of The Real Boy)
“Orphan Island is a masterpiece—both timeless and immediate. Snyder’s book, like the island within it, contains all of
the joys, wonders, and terrors of childhood. Every young reader needs this book; every grown reader needs it even more.”
(Jonathan Auxier, New York Times bestselling author of The Night Gardener)
This charming, engrossing tale set in a vividly realized world is expertly paced and will appeal to fans of wilderness
adventure stories and character-driven relationship novels alike. (Kirkus Reviews)
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About the Author
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Laurel Snyder is the author of picture books and novels for children, including National Book Award nominee Orphan
Island and the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner Charlie & Mouse. A graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, she
currently teaches in Hamline University’s MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program. She lives in Atlanta
with her family and can be found online at www.laurelsnyder.com.
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