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Moonpenny Island
Moonpenny Island
Reviewed by: Cathy Potter - Falmouth Elementary School, Falmouth, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: July 7, 2015
Review
Moonpenny Island is a coming of age story about eleven year-old Flor. Flor's life in the tight-knit community of Moonpenny Island seems like it is out of control. Her mother has left the island to stay with relatives indefinitely, her best friend Sylvie is now attending school on the mainland, and her teenage sister is sneaking around at night. As Flor’s personal life feels like it is beginning to unravel, she must continue with her homework for demanding teacher, Mrs. DeFoe, and help her father take care of her young brother. Middle grade readers will relate to Flor and her school and family dilemmas in this realistic fiction story told in the present tense. The characters are well-developed, and Springstubb’s language is beautiful- both descriptive and lyrical. Life lessons from Anne of Avonlea parallel the lessons the characters learn in story. The story's conclusion will satisfy readers without being too contrived or unbelievable.
Overall Book Score: excellent
About the Book
Author:
Springstubb, Tricia
Illustrator: ,
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (Harper Collins)
Book Type: chapter book fiction
Genre: realistic fiction
Audience: grades 4-6
Binding Type: trade edition
Binding Quality: fair
ISBN: 9780062112934
Price: 16.99