An Island of Our Own by Sally Nicholls
Book of the Week: 31 January 2016
If you’d like a break from gritty dystopian thrillers or stories with superhuman central characters, try this sparkling, real-life adventure.
Thirteen year-old Holly is being brought up by Jonathan, her nineteen year-old brother, and together they look after seven year-old Davy. Jonathan’s dad left their Mum, and Holly and Davy’s dad died of peritonitis. When their mother dies, Jonathan is left as guardian and has to give up his chance of going to university in order to get a job and care for his family. They all do their best but they have very little money and live in a constant muddle where every small disaster wrecks their finances. Then, their wealthy and eccentric Aunt Irene dies and leaves them a photo album, which might just provide clues to buried treasure and provide them with an inheritance. Jonathan is weighed down by responsibility but Holly is an optimist and looks for help in the form of their local maker-space; a rag-tag collection of inventors, technicians and boffins who might help them solve their puzzle.
One of the things that makes this uplifting book stand out is the idea that many people you will meet on life’s journey are helpful and kind and true villains are thankfully few and far between.
The book has been shortlisted for lots of book awards and you can read more about it on Sally Nicholl’s website.
