Customer Reviews

Dr. Franklin's Island

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Written By: Ann Halam
Cover Art By: Danilo Ducak
Published: 2002
Published By: Random House
Pages: 246
Extras: None

Summary:
The palm-fringed beaches on a tiny tropical island hide a terrible secret. Beyond the azure waters and white sand is Dr. Franklin's "hospital."
Miranda, Semi, and Arnie, survivors of a plane crash are about to become the doctor's next victims. He's been waiting for them. They're perfect subjects for his experiments in genetic engineering.

Cover Art Review:

It's pretty but boring. It does have something to do with the book, but you have to read the book.
Overall: 6 (1-10) Pretty, but boring.

Book Review:
If you're a girl, don't run from this book. Its not a guy's book. And guys, its not a girl's book. This a great book. I finished it in one day. Not because its short. Its just so good. It moved slowly. Your half-way into the book before the main plot starts. At the same time, it moved fast and slow. Slow doesn't mean boring though. Halam takes her time. She makes you like these chacters. In a way, it was like I was on the island with them. So when what happens, finally happens, you feel the same pain they feel. You know their joy, their fear, their pain. You're heart soars every time they break out, then breaks when they are recaptured. Everything they go through, you go through. Everything. Rarely, if ever, do I feel this feeling in a YA book. There is no happy ending, but there is an ending and one you'll be happy with. Really, it's the only way it could end/
Overall: 10 (1-10) This is a great book. Just read it.

Reviewer's Note: This book does have a plane exploding, and details about a few of the bodies that show up. There's nothing too graphic, just disturbing.

Dr. Franklin's Island was very much like a version of Dr. Moreau's Island for teens. I didn't expect to like it nearly as much as I did. From the very first chapter I found myself sucked in to the story and caught up in the action. I read in disbelief as Semi and Miranda learned of what was to happen to them. The book moves very quickly and, though the subject the book deals with is highly unbelievable, Ann Halam manages to write a very realistic - and horrifying - story of genetic engineering. I could seriously have nightmares after reading this book! The ending, I thought, was left a little bit open... so maybe we can look forward to sequels? Let's hope so!

This story is one of the few books in which you care so much for the characters that while reading the book you will want to yell out to the characters, telling them what to do. The realistic environment that Ann Halam creates is beautiful and yet scary when it needs to be. The only downfall of this book is that near the middle of the story it starts to go verily slow, but try to read through that and you will read an amazing story of friendship and courage.

Semi is a shy teenager who survives a plane crash with two other teens, Miranda and Arnie. What starts off as a desert island survival story turns into creepy (but not *too* creepy) science fiction. The island turns out to be home to the terrifying Dr. Frankilin and his menagerie of genetically modified animals, and he wants to experiment on Semi and Miranda next! Semi is a wonderful narrator, maintaining her own special humanness throughtout this action-packed story. The plot follows her through all sorts of surprising, and increasingly twisted, events.

Fifty teenage conservationists have been enrolled in a camp in Ecuador for scientific studies. Shy and awkward Semi struggles to mingle with her fellow campers, but when their flight from Britain crashes into the ocean, Semi must befriend two others, Miranda and Arnie, in order to escape the stormy waters and swim towards the coastline ahead. Once the three reached the island they gathered themselves and confirmed that the plane had exploded as they were swimming away, still with the hope that they were not the only survivors. Much to their disappointment their fellow campers and counselors were killed the night of the crash and for weeks the three castaways must fend for themselves on a tropical island without any way to contact the outside world. Soon Semi, Miranda and Arnie are captured by a party of mad scientists determined to turn all three into numerous animals. Together, though in the worst circumstances, Semi, Miranda and Arnie find a way to hold eachother close through the transformations, the terror of unknown needles and medications, many close escapes and their final heroic one. Dr. Franklin's Island, by Ann Halam, is an inventive science fiction novel that keeps you reading until the end. Its action and suspense begs you to read on and keeps your attention through the entire journey.

Dr. Franklin's Island is written in Semi's point of view. It is written as a sort of diary. I enjoy reading this sort of writing style where you can only know one person's thoughts and feelings, for it leaves you guessing. You can also see the difference in personality of Semi change and develop by the end of the story.

In this particular adventure, the three main characters try to escape the science research center numerous times, but do not manage to leave the island until the very end. They attempt twice though do not make it far enough. This element of suspense adds to the book's mystery and intrigues the reader.

The three characters Semi, Miranda and Arnie have an untrusting relationship in the beginning of their adventure on the island. But as the story moves on, their relationship and dependence on one another blossoms. The author brilliantly develops the characters throughout their adventure and each friendship is strengthened. Arnie, in the end, earns the trust of his fellow companions and together they flee the island as trusting friends.

Written by Ann Halam, Dr. Franklin's Island illustrates a heroic survival story of three castaways on a threatening island where their darkest nightmares come true. This science fiction read, for any science fiction readers out there, is probably best appreciated with middle schoolers and up.

E. Knipp

The plane crashes, then it explodes, killing forty-seven out of the fifty British Young Conservationists passengers, as well as everyone else. The three sole survivors, Young Conservatives themselves, are near-sighted Semi, brave Miranda, and obnoxious Arnie, make their way to a seemingly deserted island. There they just try to survive until a search plane finds them, build a shelter, scavenge supplies from the crashed plane, look for food. Arnie disappears with his makeshift raft after eleven days. Miranda and Semi just assume that he has left them for the ocean. After forty or so days, they discover a hidden city of sorts hidden deep in the island. There they met Dr. Franklin and his assistant Dr. Skinner, two mad scientist who insist that they are to be their next guinea pigs in their genetic experiment. After their escape attempt is foiled, they are put in straightjackets and have no say in their future. Miranda and Semi get turned into animals, Miranda becomes a bird bigger than a golden eagle and Semi a large manta ray. They have each have a microchip in their brains that allows them to contact each other, but they slowly begin to lose themselves. Dr. Skinner finally snaps at the thought of the psychological games that Dr. Franklin plans to do to the poor girls minds. He sneaks Semi some antidote, but Miranda's will have to be injected threw a syringe and Skinner doesn't have the time to do that without being caught. Finally, Semi changes back into her normal self and rescues Miranda and Arnie, who had never ran off but actually had been captured, and their antidotes. With the help of Dr. Skinner they make their way back to true civilization and their families. This book was very descriptive and had believable characters, but it also had lots of boring, slow parts to it. I would recommend it to any teen who enjoys sci-fi novels but isn't looking for something fast-paced.

Semi, the narrator, is constantly talking about how she feels about certain things. It leads to a really descriptive novel. She talks about the dead bodies that she sees around the plane crash; the movie host chaperone who is missing a leg, the corpse of a girl, that at first sight seems that she is waving her arm, she has no hand, only a bloody stump. But really, it is just the waves moving her arm. When the effects of the operation begin to show up, first in Miranda then much later in Semi, is another very descriptive part of this book. Semi skillfully told all the details of this section, and it wasn't the slightest macabre. Miranda's chest bone grows and protrudes threw her skin, and all of her teeth fall out. Semi's first sign of the transformation is three bruises on her neck that later become her gills. Each of Semi's observations and thoughts about it stay true to her personality.

Each of the characters in this book have one or two characteristics that stand out above the rest. For Semi, it is that she is very shy. Waiting to board the plane, she doesn't talk to anyone. She sits and hides in a corner with a book. Miranda is very outgoing and brave. She sits next to Semi in the plane, and when it crashes, it is Miranda who tells Semi and Arnie to swim away from the plane. It's Miranda who keeps everybody's spirits from falling, their never really happy, but Miranda keeps them from wallowing in despair. Semi constantly says things about how Miranda has saved her life again, and how she is completely trusting Miranda and putting her life in her hands. But these realistic characters doesn't keep the book from having chapters where nothing at all happens.

These boring parts usually happened after a very exciting part in the book. After the plane explosion the story is just that they scavenged for food and built a tent. That seemingly small section took forever to cover. After the operation, it gets really boring. The girls are locked into a windowless suit and have fashion shows for each other. The longest boring part is after they are changed into the animals. All Semi does is lay around in her pool, enjoying the sun. This makes an otherwise exciting book almost dull.

Dr. Franklin's Island by Ann Halam is the story of two girls trapped on a island that have genetic experiments preformed on them. It is very detailed and has realistic characters galore. You get a crystal clear image the predicament of these girls, which anyone can relate to. However, it is sorta slow-paced at times. Dr. Franklin's Island is a book I would recommend to any teen sci-fi lover who doesn't mind a book that is slow-paced at times.

C. Shipman

A totally compelling story! What a joy! What a pleasure! This author's ability to imbue characters who happen to be children in their early teens, with dignity, character, honor & good moral judgement, is to be applauded - loudly!

For mature sci-fi readers, find a copy of DR. FRANKLIN'S ISLAND & re-live those thrilling days of yesteryear, then give it to a kid you know. Adventure is definitely alive & well!

This book is what everyone wants to look for on their book shelves. This is an extrordianary book and I usually do not like to read sci-fi books. Who knew genetic transformation could be so scary!

Although I read the book over a year and a half ago, I still think about it greatly. Recently finishing reading The island of Dr. Moreau which inspired Dr.F's island. The author filled in the details of the experiments which Wells left out. The book was exciting to read. If you enjoy sci-fi and drama this book is for you.

Semirah Garson is a teenager who is NOT perfect. She is shy, a little plump, wears contacts and excells at being a typical nerd. She is one of 50 high school kids to go on a trip to Ecuador's tropical rain forests. However, their plane crashes. She, Miranda and Arnie are the only three survivors. Miranda is a "cool girl" whom Semi is originally terrified of and ends up becoming best friends with. Arnie, a comic book lover and PC gamer is lazy, cynical, oftentimes rude, loves to differ and often unhonest, yet honest for the worst things.

One day Arnie disappears, and from there on, things become stranger. Miranda and Semi discover they are not alone on the island, but they are accompanied by a scientist who would like to transform humans into other animals, and Semi and Miranda are just the people to do it.

This novel brings up timeless questions and theme without actually saying them too outright. And it will leave you sad, happy and definitely feeling philosiphical. The voice is very honest, and this book is one that can be read time and time and time and time and time again, even if you know the plot inside out.

I would love a sequel, yet the ending is such that it may/may not suggest one.

"'What are we?' I ask Miranda. 'Are we monsters? Or are we more than human?'

She shakes her head. 'I don't know,' she says. 'You're you. I'm me. Let's go.'"

"Her eyes closed, and did not open. I sat in Dr. Franklin's motorboat, the blue ocean all around me, the blue sky above. Her voice murmured faintly in my mind -

'Exciting, a great adventure - '

'Say it, Semi - '

Then I waited, to see what would happen."