Customer Reviews

The Island Keeper

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While I was in middle school I checked the book out numerous times. I loved the book. I loved Cleo, I loved her story and her strength. I even knew the exact location of that book and what the hardcover picture looked like. Move on in time to high school and college and every so often I would scour for the book (the title of which I had forgotten but I knew the authors last name began with an 'M'.) So finally after finishing college I went back to my old town and asked to go into the junior high library. I found the book. On the same shelf, same location and with me being the last person to have checked it out.

Wonderful book that I discovered in junior high. Several years later I bought a copy and this novel has become one of a treasured few I read again every year. The central character (indeed, practically the only character for most of the book) grows so much during her experience that you remember her life changes long after you put down the book. As always, great fast-moving, realistic storytelling from Harry Mazer.

I first read this book when I was in ninth grade. Ever since, I have kept Cleo's experience on that beautiful island in my heart. When I began college memories from the book kept resurfacing. I knew I had to find it! I couldn't remember the author's name or the title, so my search was pretty close to hopeless. Finally, after asking many librarians and looking through endless card catalouges over 8 years, I accidentally found it in January while using the WWW.AMAZON.Com search engines. I ordered it immediately and read it as soon as I recieved it. To read it again now as a 28 year old was a whole new adventure, but it also brought back old memories and feelings that I had as a 14 year old. I recommend this book to any teenager or adult looking for an escape. The experiences that Cleo goes through are so real, and well-researched. I'm so glad to have found this wonderful book after such a long search!

I really enjoyed this book. I bought it a week ago and finished it in 1 day. It was so intresting. Odd how someone like Cleo would just run away. She uses so much of her resources that its so amazing how she survives. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes nature, geography, etc. Actually, it's good for anyone practically.

I read this book for the first time at age 14, and keep returning to it year after year. I'm now 25, and this book still has not lost its appeal. Anyone who has ever wanted to run away, felt fat and lonely and unable to do anything right, or simply likes a good story that is wholly believable, READ THIS BOOK

Reading through the other reviews I notice that most are from women and how much this book impacted our young lives. I read this book over and over again (along with Cold River another survival tale). I think it was the strength in this character and her knack at learning survival skills that always pulled me in to reread it. I would still sit and read this book in fact I think I might have to splurge for a used copy.

I loved this book, it was great. I was reading it for school and i lost my copy! I have to buy two more, one for me and one for my teacher! I love how Cleo's character evolves and how she thinks. I recommend this book for everyone!

I'm shocked to find out my method of finding and remembering this book is so similar to so many others that have created reviews. In third grade, my elementary school library was selling some of the books in the library for real cheap..this is the one i bought because I was drawn to the cover. As an avid childhood reader, I started reading this book but had difficulty understanding it. My dad actually took it away from me because he said it was too old for me (I was 8). As I said, I was an avid childhood reader - I read hundreds of books as a child, but this was one I knew I had to save for the day I could comprehend it. As it turns out, I went into the basement just today to help my mom bring up Christmas decorations. I found this book, and something drew me to it. I've been trying to get back into reading for a while. I started reading this book (I barely read anymore, I haven't read a book in over a year) and I completely fell in love. Cleo became my hero in a matter of hours. After just finishing this book, I'm shellshocked. I'm definitely going to start reading again, this book is unbelievable and has inspired me in ways I might never fully understand. Cleo's struggle to find out who she is, her character transformation, the amount of strength she endeavors upon her journey to the island..it's so well written and relatable. Truly a treasure in time, I feel honored to have found this book.

As a former teenage girl, I decided this book would be perfect for my teenage daughter. I was really surprised when, while talking to my husband, I learned that he had read and enjoyed this book as a teenager as well. (And remembered it, twenty years later!)

Like many others I remembered this book from my youth. My daughter recently read a book called "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen which is very similar in overall plot. Hatchet is about a boy who is stranded alone and must fend for himself though. I loved how the main character in Island Keeper grows so much while alone on the island. She starts off kind of unlikable. She has no friends and we get the impression she doesn't even like herself. Learning to survive on her own changes all that.