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Middle grade before there was such a thing, this was one of my absolute FAVES when I was 8,9,10 years old. Reread my dad’s childhood copy a million times. And I enjoyed reading it aloud to my girls.
What you should know: two girls shipwrecked with 4 babies. And they make it work, capable, and are cheerful, even. References to Robinson Crusoe (sparked interest in the novel!).
Criticism: written in the 1960’s, and it had escaped me as a child, but modern readers should know the girls’ fear over meeting “savages” on the island were instantly alleviated when they glimpse a white guy. Might he be an evil murderous pirate? Sure. They acknowledge that. But apparently that’s better than an native of the islands, who is much more worrisome to them than pirates. Because: non-Christian cannibals. An opportunity to talk to my white daughters about fears and stereotypes. (Soooo many such opportunities in the literature I loved as a child!)
Still, 5* because of the childhood feels AND rich discussion.
What you should know: two girls shipwrecked with 4 babies. And they make it work, capable, and are cheerful, even. References to Robinson Crusoe (sparked interest in the novel!).
Criticism: written in the 1960’s, and it had escaped me as a child, but modern readers should know the girls’ fear over meeting “savages” on the island were instantly alleviated when they glimpse a white guy. Might he be an evil murderous pirate? Sure. They acknowledge that. But apparently that’s better than an native of the islands, who is much more worrisome to them than pirates. Because: non-Christian cannibals. An opportunity to talk to my white daughters about fears and stereotypes. (Soooo many such opportunities in the literature I loved as a child!)
Still, 5* because of the childhood feels AND rich discussion.
