Six kids board the Phoenix in Guam, but not because they are going on a fancy boating trip. They’re all there for one reason- because they have a lesson to learn. Their parents or the court system has decided that the Charting a New Course program is what they need. A month on the water learning to sail and getting in touch with nature is expected to change all of them. Lyssa and Will are siblings, but JJ, Charla, Ian, and Luke have never met. Getting to know each other is better than any time spent with the first mate, who barks at them all the time and seems angry by everything they do. After a terrible storm sends the captain overboard and the ship starts taking on water the kids realize they are in way over their heads. Waking to find the first mate has taken the life boat and left them stranded makes them rise to the challenge. When an explosion causes the ship to catch fire and sink they must do what they can to survive. Only four of the kids are together and the fate of the other two is unknown. Did they get off the sinking boat in time? Staying afloat on a piece of the shipwreck is more work than the kids would have expected, and the thirst they have is like nothing they've ever known. Landing on what appears to be a deserted island seems like a stroke of good luck, but are they really alone? Do they have the skills to survive? Can the kids can be saved? Don’t wait to find out- go get this series!
What an action packed series! If you like adventure and survival stories, and haven’t read the Island series by Gordon Korman, then I highly recommend it for both boys and girls. There are three books in the series: Shipwreck, Survival, and Escape. The books are perfect for anyone in fourth grade and up. Not only will you learn skills that may help you survive on your own, you will be amazed at the ways the kids learn to believe in themselves. With so many characters, there is sure to be someone readers will connect with, and reading about them makes you see that there's more to people than we think. I was rooting for the kids and felt worried, happy, sad, and scared for them throughout the book. I hope I am never in a situation where I am on a shipwreck, but it was entertaining to read about!
Has anyone else read the Island series? Or have you read another book by Gordon Korman? We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Happy Reading!
~L
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Good to know the author lets them escape by the last book. I think I'd be goner stranded on an island.
ReplyDeleteAlex- I would definitely have trouble being stranded on an island (or anywhere else for that matter). :) ~L
DeleteSounds like a fun series, I've put it on my wish list! Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteValerie- It is! :) ~L
DeleteLearning survival skills is a plus. Not sure I'd survive, but I'd try my darnest.
ReplyDeleteI would try my hardest too! Definitely need to learn some techniques- just in case I need them. :) ~L
DeleteWow! What an epic adventure story. Just reading your synopsis about what happens has me on the edge of my seat. I like survival stories. I used to adore The Hatchet and another one with a hawk or falcon....
ReplyDeleteAdriana- I loved Hatchet too. This is a fun series for people who like survival stories. :) ~L
DeleteSounds like fun stories !
ReplyDeleteGloria- I enjoyed them! :) ~L
DeleteIs it just me who thought of Lord of the Flies? A book I loathed. This sounds MUCH better.
ReplyDeleteEC- I can see how that came to mind. The kids in this book got along much better (though of course, they do have some issues as kids do at times). :) ~L
DeleteSounds an amazing series ... appreciate the review.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Jan- Glad you enjoyed it! :) ~L
DeleteLove the sound of this one and all the emotions it made you feel! I'd be terrified to be shipwrecked, but that just makes the read more thrilling! Thanks for the awesome review. Have a great weekend :)
ReplyDeleteA Belle's Tales- I would be terrified if I was in a shipwreck. I am a good swimmer- but it would be so hard to know what to do. :) ~L
DeleteI love stories like these. I will definitely me checking them out. Thanks for telling me about them.
ReplyDeleteRosi- Me too! Enjoy! :) ~L
DeleteHaven't read it but sounds amazing.
ReplyDeleteLux- Definitely interesting! :) ~L
DeleteIt does sound action packed indeed!
ReplyDeletebetty
Betty- Lots of action for sure! :) ~L
DeleteI've only read a few books by Gordon Korman, but really enjoyed Masterminds, Slacker and I've been wanting to read Restart.
ReplyDeleteBrenda- I enjoyed Masterminds too. Haven't read Slacker or Restart- but I have read a few others by him. :) ~L
DeleteI haven't read this series, but I've read other books by Gordon Korman. He's the funniest writer…
ReplyDeleteKate- He is an entertaining writer for sure! :) ~L
DeleteThis series is new to me. The story sounds interesting, with a lot of excitement. Good review.
ReplyDeleteBeverly- Glad to introduce you to this series! :) ~L
Deletethat does sound like an interesting book!
ReplyDeleteSage- I thought the series was definitely interesting! :) ~L
DeleteI recognized the covers immediately - my girls read these books when they were around 4th grade. They especially loved the Bruno and Boots (MacDonald Hall) series.
ReplyDeleteBeth- Awesome that your girls read these in 4th grade. I haven't read Bruno and Boots- but I will have to check them out. Thanks for sharing. :) ~L
DeleteI haven't read these books, but the more I read the above, the more interesting it got. Sounds like a good series.
ReplyDeleteJanet- Glad the series appeals to you! :) ~L
DeleteThese sound excellent and much like the adventure books I read as a child
ReplyDeleteBarbara- Aren't adventures fun! :) ~L
DeleteWhat an adventure!!!
ReplyDeleteMagic Love Crow- You betcha! :) ~L
DeleteHeidi- You betcha! :) ~L
ReplyDeleteGreat, what an epic adventure story.
ReplyDeleteI would be petrified to be stuck on a boat by yourself or with only people who don't know how to run it! It certainly sounds like this one delivers an important message about believing in yourself and maintaining hope at all times.
ReplyDeleteOlivia- Savannah- I would be petrified too! Definitely important messages hidden in the story. :) ~L
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