The Island at the End of Everything
Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Subjects
- Action Adventures - chills, thrills and plenty of spills
- Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
- History Time - blasts from the past
From the author of the bestselling THE GIRL OF INK & STARS comes a moving, enthralling and heartbreaking tale of finding your way home ... WINNER OF THE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION YOUNG QUILLS AWARD SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA BOOK AWARD SHORTLISTED FOR THE BLUE PETER BOOK AWARD 'The Island at the End of Everything is such a fiercely kind and generous book, and so finely-wrought and so full of light ... brilliant.' KATHERINE RUNDELL 'Kiran Millwood Hargrave is the new big gun in children’s fiction ... This is an enchanting book by a writer who fully deserves the fuss that’s being made of her.' TELEGRAPH 'A lyrical, magical book' METRO Amihan lives on Culion Island, where some of the inhabitants – including her mother – have leprosy. Ami loves her home – with its blue seas and lush forests, Culion is all she has ever known. But the arrival of malicious government official Mr Zamora changes her world forever: islanders untouched by sickness are forced to leave. Banished across the sea, she's desperate to return, and finds a strange and fragile hope in a colony of butterflies. Can they lead her home before it's too late? The fourth children’s novel by Times number one bestselling author Kiran Millwood Hargrave, winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the British Book Awards Children’s Book of the Year From the author of A Secret of Birds & Bone, The Way Past Winter, Julia and the Shark and The Mercies – chosen for the Richard & Judy Book Club An irresistibly poetic, bittersweet and heartbreaking tale of a girl finding her way back to her mother
Reviews
A wonderful read! A beautiful story or friendship and family set to the back drop of a terrible disease. A captivating page turner!
Pidge_9
Fascinating story. A book based on factual events of which I was unaware. Incredible story of determination, survival, family and friendship in the terrible circumstances.
TurnbullHS Library
A lovely book about a girl and her life on an island with her mum. She finds herself having to move away from her family and she wants to return. A great fictional story. I would definitely recommend this book to others.
dcollins
I was disappointed by this book especially as I had had such positive responses to The Girl of Ink & Stars. I work in a hospital school and a small group of keen readers chose it as their book club text. The themes are loss, discrimination, friendship, a journey and more which is why they chose it. Only one managed to finish it and was not overly impressed and I agree. The idea of teaching young people about leprosy is a really good idea as none of our readers knew what it was and this story is based on fact. Making the villain of the piece (who is quite well drawn although rather cliched at times) a killer of butterflies certainly appealed to our readers. Some of them hoped that the butterflies would be more magical. They haven't come across magic realism but I think this is what they were looking for. We all found it difficult to really engage with the characters although the voice of Ami is strong and the trauma of the children being torn away from their parents was well done, for instance. This could also have something to do with the writing style which none of us liked - especially when it became too florid. The ending is very quick and unsatisfactory - it's almost as if the author had run out of pages and had to cram all their ideas into the '30 years later' mode. Consequently, much that would have been interesting is left unwritten. However, many people have enjoyed the book so, perhaps it's worth reading it to see what you think.
EmmaFane
To be honest, I don’t know where to begin. This book is like no other that I’ve read before. It is beautifully written and sensitive about a subject that is less frequently discussed in general society. It uncovers a world unknown to many of us and brings beauty and joy to what could be perceived as a doomed and dismal location. The power of the protagonist shines through and, whilst the ending is inevitable, her courage and acceptance will bring comfort to many who finds themselves in similar circumstances (albeit not necessarily due to the same cause). This book is a real triumph and I highly recommend it. Thank you Koran Millwood Hargreaves’s for writing it.
RhiannaC
This book held my attention and transported me to the islands. I was captivated by the adventure, willing Ami and her friends on. The butterflies change in the chrysalis just as Ami changes and finds the strength to face her challenges. I think everyone should read it, as a reminder of how important it is to be kind.
MmeG
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, it was fascinating to learn about how people with Leprosy were treated and the attitudes towards them. The characters were well developed and the plot was exciting, I was so pleased that there was a happy ending!
acallaway
I enjoyed this book but found it a little odd at times. I feel that it might be rather depressing and confusing to many primary children.
GBenn
This was very thought provoking and quite disturbing that the authorities can and did behave in such an appalling manner, and I felt so heartbroken for the main character Ami. I would recommend this book to my students as I think it would help them understand that they are quite fortunate.
stln
A beautifully written account of grief, loss and hope. Wonderful descriptions of the landscape, great use of the senses so an excellent way to help writers with description. Strong female characters and interesting correlations with Covid. Great example of motifs and themes and how to weave through text.
RiseleyK
Informative and sensitive story-telling, beautifully written. I have greater insight and awareness about the history of leprosy after reading this book and I know it will interest some of my Year 5 readers.
SarJane
Positive and poignant. A children's adventure story that sits perfectly alongside Hislop's The Island.
FraserReadingTeach
This is a beautifully descriptive book. The characters are really well written and it is very moving and thought provoking. I would highly recommend this as a different read.
LJCantrell
Fabulous and adventurous. I love Kiran's books because they feature people and places that my students may have never heard of, but also allow an inclusive learning/reading space.
cchapma4
Beautifully written: made me think, reflect, cry & smile with pride
Jo Bardgett
Felt the emotion of the main character being taken away from her mum and worrying about her.
Miss_T2
Beautiful. A masterful description of a touching and heartbreaking time.
rmcdonald