It’s become a pilgrimage for Louise and her father. Travelling to Lindisfarne needed time and patience, as tides ruled the entrance to it. After years of returning to the place they used to holiday with their wife and mum, they were used to waiting and watching the sea recede from the only road forward.

As they waited to begin their yearly rituals of walks along the shore, meals in the local restaurants and refreshing their memories once more, a boy appears alongside their car. When Louise’s eyes lock upon his, she realises he’s a little older than she first thought. She is intrigued, especially as he begins to wade through the retreating tide ahead of the cars.

Louise always enjoys this annual visit, spending time with her dad who has raised her on his own since she was eight years old. But this time, when he is distracted by another, she too seeks out other company and sees the boy again upon the beach.

He is quiet, calm and seemingly too wise for his years. She soon hears of his heart-wrenching past as she shares her own reason for being on Lindisfarne. But there is an amazing connection between them that he has been carrying on his travels. This brings them even closer, even though they’ve known each other barely a day.

Others on Lindisfarne don’t see what Louise sees in this stranger – only what their prejudice allows them to see. But his personal pilgrimage to the island brings both Louise and her father something wonderful.

Wow! Island is a simple, stunning and beautiful book. In only 142 pages (including beautiful illustrations by one of my fave illustrators, David Litchfield), Island encompasses human connection, loss, memories, the beauty of nature, and complete callousness of a world in turmoil.

There are so many contrasts. Louise is just gaining her independence, but another has the world at his feet. This stranger is wise, calm and patient, while the local boys are loud, offensive and brutal. A story of terrible loss is soothed by a beautiful memory stored then shared.

There are surprises, shocks, and strong emotions. There is wonder, fear, and empathy. Prejudice is ever present, but the power of understanding is stronger, overcoming it. Civilisation is ever evolving and changing, along with humankind, but beauty, nature and kindness can bring hope for our future.

Author – David Almond

Illustrator – David Litchfield

Age – 11+

(2024, Hachette, Bullies, Conflict, Family, Friendship, Grief, Love, Prejudice, War, Syria, Lindisfarne, Pilgrimage, Memories, Memory, Remembering, Beach, Connections, Beauty, Nature, Hope, Resilience, Contrasts, Beautiful, Independence, Journey)