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Monday, February 8, 2021

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday # MMGM Book Review: Unicorn Island by Donna Galanti

 

Twelve year old Samantha Sea Wells is happy to have finally settled down in one place for a whole year and is getting ready to spend the summer with her friends. Her excitement is soon dashed when she finds out her mother is working in Europe for the summer. With her mother gone, Sam will have to leave home and go stay with an uncle she doesn't know in Foggy Harbor. As soon as she arrives, she's disappointed by the boring town, which is so small compared to Brooklyn. Uncle Mitch is grumpy, and Sam feels out of place. She meets Tucker, and they become fast friends. Hanging out at her uncle's she and Tuck find a trapdoor, which leads to a secret room. Of course they have to explore! They find some artifacts that puzzle them and they have all kinds of questions. Then Uncle Mitch comes home, and he's very angry to find them snooping. He tells Sam she will have to leave and she's not allowed to see Tuck again. Later, she looks out over the water and notices the constant fog is lifting. Sam sees her uncle rowing toward an island that wasn't there before. Where is he going? And where did the island come from? What lies behind the fog? Sam and Tuck decide to find out. Are their eyes deceiving them? Should Sam and Tuck explore or stay away? You will have to read the first book in the Unicorn Island series to find out what happens next. 

I was so excited when I found out that Donna Galanti had a new book coming out. I have read other books by her and loved them, so I knew I was in for a treat when I picked up Unicorn Island (Volume 1). The cover drew me in right away- I love the colors and the sparkly title. Throughout the book there are many color illustrations by Bethany Standcliffe, which made the story even more magical. I think kids will be able to relate to Sam, and the fact that she was happy to finally be settled somewhere. I know visiting relatives can be fun, but it can also be stressful to go where you really don't know your family or anyone else. I was glad Sam made friends with Tuck, because he seemed nice and they got along. I could relate to exploring the room under the trapdoor, since I know I can't resist a good mystery. I would love to get to see unicorns in person, and I think anyone who enjoys magic will fall right into this story and want to go beyond the fog. I recommend this book to anyone eight and up who likes fantasy and mystery. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series! 

Has anyone else read Unicorn Island? Or has anyone read anything else by Donna Galanti? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

Stop back here on Tuesday for a special spotlight on Unicorn Island!

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41 comments:

  1. Valerie-JaelFebruary 8, 2021 at 5:36 AM

    This sounds great! Have a great week, hugs, Valerie

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    1. DMSFebruary 9, 2021 at 1:06 PM

      Valerie- I am glad it sounds great to you! I really enjoyed it. :) ~L

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  2. Alex J. CavanaughFebruary 8, 2021 at 7:25 AM

    Hopefully they find a unicorn.

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    1. DonnaGalantiFebruary 8, 2021 at 8:53 AM

      For sure, Alex. :) But with the title, Unicorn Island, we must hope so!

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  3. Natalie AguirreFebruary 8, 2021 at 7:39 AM

    You got me with the trapdoor. I love mysteries too. I'm very excited that Donna has a new series out and am excited to feature her at Literary Rambles next month. Hope to read this one soon.

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    1. DonnaGalantiFebruary 8, 2021 at 8:52 AM

      Thanks Natalie! I've always loved trapdoors, too, and secret places. :) I'm excited to come on Literary Rambles next month as well!

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  4. DonnaGalantiFebruary 8, 2021 at 7:50 AM

    I am so excited to be back on Fairday's blog here with you! Thanks so much for reading and reviewing Unicorn Island! I'm so glad you liked it.

    The next series, Secret Beneath the Sand, comes out in May on the Epic! platform, the leading digital library for kids. It releases there in a 5-part serial and then hardcover next winter.

    I would love to see unicorns in person, too. The closest I've come is to the wild horses in Assateague. :) But if I WERE To ever have a pet unicorn, I would name her Galaxy Traveler because it's such a cool name!

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    1. DMSFebruary 9, 2021 at 1:13 PM

      Donna- We are so happy to have you on Fairday's Blog again. Such an exciting time for you!

      The series sounds so fun. Epic! is loved by so many kids, teachers, and librarians- so your story will be enjoyed by people everywhere. :)

      Galaxy Traveler sounds like a great name for a unicorn!
      ~Jess and Stephanie

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  5. bettyFebruary 8, 2021 at 9:12 AM

    It sounds like a cute story and plot!

    betty

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    1. DMSFebruary 9, 2021 at 1:13 PM

      Betty- It really is! :) ~L

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    2. DonnaGalantiFebruary 22, 2021 at 12:19 PM

      Thanks Betty! It was fun to write, especially writing magical elements in the real world

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  6. Elephant's ChildFebruary 8, 2021 at 12:15 PM

    Ooooh. Thank you both. And of course I would love to see a unicorn (despite that pesky virginity requirement).

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    1. DMSFebruary 9, 2021 at 1:14 PM

      EC-It would be so cool to see one! :) ~L

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    2. DonnaGalantiFebruary 22, 2021 at 12:19 PM

      If we imagine hard enough, perhaps we can! Of course, in stories they are always real :)

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  7. Greg PattridgeFebruary 8, 2021 at 2:30 PM

    I have a review scheduled later this month. Can't wait to add some additional thoughts. The cover and story should hook a lot of readers. Thanks for featuring on Marvelous Middle grade Monday.

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    1. DMSFebruary 9, 2021 at 1:15 PM

      Greg- How fun that you read Unicorn Island too! Looking forward to reading your review. I agree about the cover and story! Thanks for having us on MMGM. :) ~L

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    2. DonnaGalantiFebruary 22, 2021 at 12:20 PM

      Thanks so much for having me back on your blog, too, Greg! I appreciate the read and review.

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  8. Patricia T.February 8, 2021 at 4:04 PM

    I love stories about unicorns and other magical creatures. And there is a mystery involved. Agree with Natalie, you got me with the trap door. And, it is a series. Loved Bruce Coville's The Unicorn Chronicles. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. DMSFebruary 9, 2021 at 1:30 PM

      Patricia T- I haven't read Coville's The Unicorn Chronicles- but now I added it to my list. Enjoy Unicorn Island! :) ~L

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    2. DonnaGalantiFebruary 22, 2021 at 12:20 PM

      Thanks Patricia! I've always loved secret places. When I was young and my parents would take me to visit their friends, I would wander off and hide away in their coat closets pretending there was a door to Narnia there :)

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  9. Lowcarb team memberFebruary 8, 2021 at 6:40 PM

    This sounds very good, one that our grand-daughter would enjoy.

    All the best Jan

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    1. DMSFebruary 9, 2021 at 1:37 PM

      Jan- I am sure your grand-daughter will love this book! :) ~L

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    2. DonnaGalantiFebruary 22, 2021 at 12:21 PM

      I hope she enjoys it, Jan! It's also a good book to do read alouds together :)

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  10. Max @ Completely Full BookshelfFebruary 8, 2021 at 7:37 PM

    This sounds like a really fun story! Also, I love the cover! I'm intrigued that this series is on Epic—I've heard of it, but I didn't know they had started releasing their own books. Thanks for the great review!

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    1. DMSFebruary 9, 2021 at 2:00 PM

      Completely Full Bookshelf- I had heard of Epic! too- but hadn't realized they had started releasing their own books. So exciting! This is a beautiful book and fun story. :) ~L

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    2. DonnaGalantiFebruary 22, 2021 at 12:22 PM

      Thanks for stopping by! Yes, Epic! has their own original stories, too. They were so wonderful to work with and they partner with Andrews McMeel to put the hardcover book out of Unicorn Island. Book 2, Secret Beneath the Sand, comes out in May on Epic! and then hardcover next winter.

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  11. JenniFebruary 8, 2021 at 8:20 PM

    This sounds really intriguing. I like the whole magical island thing and the mysterious uncle. I actually have a WIP that has some similarities. Will definitely be checking this out!

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    1. DMSFebruary 9, 2021 at 2:09 PM

      Jenni- You will definitely have to check our Unicorn Island. How interesting that your WIP has some similarities! It's always fascinating reading a book with lots of similar elements to one we've written. :)

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    2. DonnaGalantiFebruary 22, 2021 at 12:22 PM

      Thanks Jenni! I love magical islands too and have another WIP I am writing that involves a much different kind of island --one that is alive. Happy writing to you!

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  12. Kelly SteelFebruary 9, 2021 at 12:43 AM

    Sounds good. Donna Galanti is a new to me author.

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    1. DMSFebruary 9, 2021 at 2:09 PM

      Kelly- Glad to introduce you! Donna writes lots of fun middle grade books. :) ~L

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    2. DonnaGalantiFebruary 22, 2021 at 12:23 PM

      Hope you can check it out and enjoy it, Kelly! I also have another MG series out that is fantasy adventure too, for the older MG crowd: Joshua and the Lightning Road. It's a spin on Greek mythology.

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  13. Magic Love CrowFebruary 9, 2021 at 5:00 PM

    I have two young girls around me, that love Unicorns! I think I will be purchasing this book for them! Thanks for the review! Big Hugs!

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    1. DMSFebruary 12, 2021 at 1:37 PM

      Magic Love Crow- I bet they'd love it! Glad you enjoyed the review. Hugs! :) ~L

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    2. DonnaGalantiFebruary 22, 2021 at 12:24 PM

      I hope they enjoy it if they read it! :)

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  14. RosiFebruary 10, 2021 at 8:44 PM

    I don't really read fantasy, but I do love a good mystery. You make this sound very enticing. Maybe I will give it a shot. Thanks for the post.

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    1. DMSFebruary 12, 2021 at 1:42 PM

      Rosi- It's a fun book and perfect for the age group it's written for. The mystery and fantasy blend well. Hope you enjoy it. :) ~L

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    2. DonnaGalantiFebruary 22, 2021 at 12:24 PM

      Rosi, hope you enjoy it if you read it. It's actually set in the real world but with a fantasy element. These are my favorite kind of books to write. :)

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  15. Gloria BakerFebruary 11, 2021 at 8:23 PM

    I think sounds really fun and lovely!! I love these type of books!! xo

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    1. DMSFebruary 12, 2021 at 1:46 PM

      Gloria- It really is a great story and I love the illustrations too! :) ~L

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    2. DonnaGalantiFebruary 22, 2021 at 12:24 PM

      Thanks Gloria!

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