Moonpenny Island

Written by Tricia Springstubb, Illustrated by Gilbert Ford

It is an older age group book with difficult themes of family abuse, parent alcoholics, parents arguing, friends moving, growing up. The writing is hard to follow at times with the present tense verbs and past tense verbs fighting each other in the writing style that makes comprehension a bit difficult. There were many paragraphs I had to read again several times before I understood what was being said and who said what. Contrary to what I initially thought, an English language learner (ELL) would not be able to read this easily despite the use of present tense verbs that ELL students find first in their language acquisition.

This is not a book that is a classic or a “keeper for a personal library of great books to read over and over.” I would not want to read it again.

Review by Barbara Lowe, Teacher, Mill Creek Elementary
Rating: ★★✩✩✩ (2 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

Moonpenny Island
Written by Tricia Springstubb, Illustrated by Gilbert Ford
Balzer & Bray
304 pages
Release Date: February 10, 2015

Tags:

2015 Middle Grade Fiction, Abuse Fiction, Alcohol Abuse Fiction, Barbara Lowe, Family Life Fiction, Friendship Fiction, Gilbert Ford, Growing Up Fiction, Illustrated Fiction, Islands Fiction, Moonpenny Island, Realistic Fiction, Tricia Springstubb