Customer Reviews

The Islander

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am enamoured with most everything Rylant writes and will buy her books just because she wrote them. This story reads like a prose poem -- her language is spare and beautiful. Mysteries abound and heart wrenching surprises arrive in small phrases without pretense. The imagery and characters are unforgettable. Daniel has such a feminine side, shielded from the media saturated mainland. His loneliness and sense of "different-ness" will resonate with everyone.

This little gem can be read in one fascinating sitting; in fact, it just begs to be read aloud. But read this one slowly--to savor the salty smell of the ocean off British Canada and to
listen to the crashing surf and wheeling seagulls. One must look intently to notice the glistening droplets on a magical gift from the sea.

Ten-year-old Daniel, an orphan from the mainland, lives on a rustic islet with his taciturn Grandfather. They boy longs for companions his own age, but must rely on his ingenuity, compassion for living things and his affinity with Nature to provide stimulation for the lonely hours. Yet such primitive conditions (no TV, phones or even horses) are ideal to
inspire keen observations along the shoreline. When he spies a mermaid's comb--obvious at first glance that such it is--his drab existence is changed forever. This is a wonderful book of fantasy and personal growth to share with kids, from 7-70!

I am a teacher and I read this book out loud to my students, after first reading it myself, last November. All of my students loved it and patiently waited every day for the next chapter or two. We don't live near an ocean, but it was not hard to imagine the sights and sounds, since they were so vividly described in the book. This is not the best book of 1998, but it definitely deserves some recognition. It was a good read and was interesting.

Have you ever just picked up a book and known you would connect with it. The Islander is that type of book. Daniel is an extrememly likeable character. His blending of vunerablity, and persistance create a character not to be forgotten easily. The mermaid, caring for hurt creatures and an understanding grandfather make this a story to enjoy again, and again. Bravo!

This is a slim little book that you will probably love enough to own the hardcover version that is fast disappearing! It can easily be read in a single sitting and you will wish that it was longer. Pre-teen and teenaged people will enjoy it as will adults with romantic souls. It is set on an island off the Pacific Coast of Bristish Columbia and so has sea atmosphere and enchantment swirling about it like fog and salt-scented breeze. The story is poignant and the writing is sensitve and lyrical. An orphaned boy is living on this small island with his grandfather. He is given a magical gift by a mermaid and it makes a big difference in his life. Since this is a short and beautifully simple book I don't want to spoil it for you by giving away too many details but I found it very touching. The descriptions in the book transported me to the island and opened my heart to all the characters. It is a ghostly, magical love story on several different levels. Don't miss it!

Are you looking for a interesting mystery? You should choose the Islander.I am a fifth grade student, I read this book for a mystery book report. I loved it. It's about a boy named Daniel and he lives on an island. A sea otter throws him a shell with a key inside.He finds out it a mermaids but he doesn't know what it opens.If you are interested and want to know how it ends read the book.Cynthia Rylant does a great job leaving you hanging at the end of each chapter. Hope you like it.

This book of childhood, magic, and mermaids actually came to me in a magical way. I was in an art supply store, a place that never carries novels. The Islander was right there on the shelf in front of the ceramic painting books. I picked it up, flipped through it, and felt Destiny's hand nudge me toward the checkout counter. I'm glad I obeyed!

Daniel, whose tale is told in The Islander, encounters magic in exactly the same way as this book fell into my hands. A lonely orphan living with his kindly grandfather, Daniel finds a mermaid's comb one day while walking the beach; from there the magical mystery begins. (It is hard to say much about the story without the risk of spoiling it.) Reading it, I was reminded of the lonely moments in my own childhood when I wished for exactly the kind of magic that happened to Daniel.

It's officially a Young Adult's book, but my wife and I both enjoyed it deeply. I'd recommend it for adults who still love innocent, loving magic just as highly as I'd recommend it to young people.

I bought this book for my 8 year old son...He absolutely loves everything that Cynthia Rylant has written. I usually try to read my kids books before they do so that we can discuss the book once they've finished. I sat down with 'The Islander' & read it in about an hour. It definately left me wanting more. Once I began reading, I was hooked & couldn't put it down. I only wish the read had not been over so quickly! I am very surprised that 'The Islander' was not a medal winner...it should be. I will have to find a hard copy of this book to keep & pass down. Just a wonderful, beautiful story for all ages to enjoy. Another great one from Rylant...she truly is a gifted author.

A quiet, moving, vivid story. A 10-year-old boy lives a lonely life with his grandfather after his parents die, taken by the sea. He meets a mermaid who enchants his life with various revelations.

Some might find it too fantastical, but once you get into it, it's not. These things really do happen, revealing the depth of human potential, the way to pull out of darkness into light.

Best of all, the reader will see that helping others is the way. My words cannot fully describe the timbre and profound, lasting effect of this book. I wonder why it did not win a Newbery Medal.

I have read a chapter book called The Islander. It's about a boy named Daniel. His mother and father died,so he went to go live with his grandfather. His grandfather lived on a little island. Daniel got older one day and apparently his grandfather died. Back when Daniel was a kid, he saved a little girl,who wondered off into the forest. Daniel also found a mermaid.
In this book there is a message that talks about life and death. I knew that it was the message because a person in my family died. The person who died was my grampy Woldo. I was sad just like Daniel was when his grandfather died.
I like The Islander because Daniel was nice to the injured birds after a big storm. I think other people should read this book because,its cool and exciting!