A review by cassroberts89
Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder

challenging emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

What an odd book. It was very different. This was read as a selection for my tween book club at the library, and it was interesting to hear what the kids there had to say about their interpretations. I think they were, for the most part, able to relate to the story as a whole as kind of a metaphor for their own experiences growing into tweens. One kid mentioned that the scene where Jinny swims so far out to the ocean that she gets lost makes her think of times when she just wants go be left alone and goes outside, but then gets hungry and has to trudge back in for a snack. 

If you’re going to read this as a literal island adventure story, you will be disappointed.

Almost nothing about the mystery of the island or its orphans is explained, ever.

You really have to go into it with an open mind, EXPECTING it to be almost completely metaphorical. 

P.S. Not a fan of the period scene at all. Specifically, I really dislike that Laurel Snyder chose to write it as Jinny believing that she had brought it upon herself as a kind of punishment. Her choice to stay on the island meant that the sky was breaking, the island was breaking, the magic was breaking, and now SHE is breaking too, and she deserves it. I can see how it would be a scary experience for a girl who had no guidance, but it could have been done better, especially given the target audience.