A souvenir from my sister Peg! Look closely and you'll see that the boxed set includes not just a "headshot" of one of the famed ponies -- but also a blue dolphin! A perfect pair of cookie cutters to accompany a perfect pair of island animal books.
Is it just a coincidence that after reading a novel set in the metaphorically named store -- Island Books -- I then read two novels set on real, geographical islands? The time was right! These inspiring stories of brave children and beloved animals were somehow overlooked in my own childhood -- and then, even worse, omitted from summer reading with my kids. I finally decided to rectify the situation, working from a long - ago Middle School Reading List.
You will learn lots of history and geography and gain a renewed appreciation for the islands -- at one time wild and mysterious -- on either side of the Continental United States.
written by Marguerite Henry in 1947
& illustrated by Wesley Dennis
~ the mostly true story of young Paul Beebe ~
(1936 - 1957)
The "ringing neigh" of "the Pied Piper . . . seemed to awaken some force within her [Misty's mother, the Phantom] creating a curious urging in her mind. A shudder of excitememt went through her. She twisted her body high in the air as if she were shaking herself free -- free of fences that imprisoned, free of lead ropes, free of stalls that shut out the smell of pines and the sound of the sea" (166 - 169).
"In a short time Rontu [Karana's dog] rose to his feet and left the spotted dog [Rontu's vicious, wild, and now vanquished attacker] where it lay. He walked to the top of the mound and lifted his head and gave a long howl. I had never heard this sound before. It was the sound of many things that I did not understand" (108 - 109).
written by Scott O'Dell in 1960
& illustrated (in 1990) by Ted Lewin
~ the mostly true story of young Juana Maria ~
(1811 - 1853)
