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Lost on Brier Island
Fourteen-year-old Alex's life is in ruins. Her family ripped apart by unspeakable tragedy, she is stuck on Brier Island for the summer with her aunt. At first, Alex is desperate to escape this place where everyone's business is public knowledge and there is too much time to think. But the island begins to work its magic, with its quirky characters, rugged landscape and whale-filled ocean, and Alex forms a special bond with an adventurous baby whale she names Daredevil. Through her attachment to Daredevil and the beauty of Brier Island, Alex slowly begins the long journey toward healing. But everything changes when Alex is suddenly thrown into a life-or-death struggle. Can she find the courage and the strength to save Daredevil--and herself?
- GenresCanadaYoung Adult
176 pages, Paperback
First published May 11, 2011
2 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 30, 2023
Just finished the book. I’m hungry though so here’s my review while I get a snack. Alex lives in the big city of Halifax, but after a tragic accident Alex is sent to live with her Aunt Sophie on Briar Island for the summer. Briar Island is a small island on the Bay of Fundy in the middle of nowhere and Alex hates it! She is lonely and depressed but when her Aunt takes her on a whale watching tour, her whole perspective of the island changes. Alex has a chance encounter with a baby humpback whale who she names Dare Devil.
Her encounter with Dare Devil lifts her spirits and she starts to make friends and begins enjoying her stay. Alex constantly wants to go out on the boat to see Dare Devil and Gus the family friend always takes her out.
On one trip Alex slips on the deck and hits her head and knocks herself out. She awakens in a hospital bed in Halifax. Alex starts to become tormented by haunting hospital memories. After she is released from the hospital Alex decides to go back to stay with her Aunt as her parents keep fighting and she is stressed to the max. Unfortunately her parents decide to go with her to visit Aunt Sophie as well. One of the first things they do together as a family is go whale watching with Gus. Alex becomes very concerned when Dare Devil is nowhere to be found. When they reached land, Alex and her friend go for a walk to try to escape from her parents who are fighting again. The girls accidentally come across Dare Devil who is beached and tangled in fishing gear. With the tide and a thick fog rolling in the girls are placed in a horrible predicament and Alex is reliving her nightmare again!
I really enjoyed this book even though the story is very sad. I cried all through the book but there were also many happy moments. A few of the characters were very funny especially Gus and Dare Devil. I recognized many of the places that were described in the book which is pretty neat. Overall I give this book an 4/5. Make sure you have a box of tissues handy when reading this!
Her encounter with Dare Devil lifts her spirits and she starts to make friends and begins enjoying her stay. Alex constantly wants to go out on the boat to see Dare Devil and Gus the family friend always takes her out.
On one trip Alex slips on the deck and hits her head and knocks herself out. She awakens in a hospital bed in Halifax. Alex starts to become tormented by haunting hospital memories. After she is released from the hospital Alex decides to go back to stay with her Aunt as her parents keep fighting and she is stressed to the max. Unfortunately her parents decide to go with her to visit Aunt Sophie as well. One of the first things they do together as a family is go whale watching with Gus. Alex becomes very concerned when Dare Devil is nowhere to be found. When they reached land, Alex and her friend go for a walk to try to escape from her parents who are fighting again. The girls accidentally come across Dare Devil who is beached and tangled in fishing gear. With the tide and a thick fog rolling in the girls are placed in a horrible predicament and Alex is reliving her nightmare again!
I really enjoyed this book even though the story is very sad. I cried all through the book but there were also many happy moments. A few of the characters were very funny especially Gus and Dare Devil. I recognized many of the places that were described in the book which is pretty neat. Overall I give this book an 4/5. Make sure you have a box of tissues handy when reading this!
June 23, 2021
No longer a YA—yet I wanted to read this book. It received a positive review at the Dartmouth Book Exchange’s book club, where local writers and publishers are promoted. Titled ‘Lost on Brier Island,' the cover caught my attention with the prominence of the word ‘Lost,’ below an illustration of a pensive girl who is surely more than geographically ‘lost.’
I have visited Brier Island, and whale-watched (elsewhere), so related well to the setting and the healing, dramatic arts of the whale. The story of the cover girl, Alex, was heartbreaking, but although she couldn’t save her brother, perhaps she could save a baby whale, a new friend, and herself. I liked this book and its characters, especially Eva, who deserved a happy ending, but it was Alex who stole my heart.
Perhaps I’d have preferred a more definitive conclusion, but it could be real life isn’t like that, either.
I have visited Brier Island, and whale-watched (elsewhere), so related well to the setting and the healing, dramatic arts of the whale. The story of the cover girl, Alex, was heartbreaking, but although she couldn’t save her brother, perhaps she could save a baby whale, a new friend, and herself. I liked this book and its characters, especially Eva, who deserved a happy ending, but it was Alex who stole my heart.
Perhaps I’d have preferred a more definitive conclusion, but it could be real life isn’t like that, either.
October 19, 2021
I’m not a YA but I am a whale lover and quite enjoyed this book. Reading about the whales and the families who know them and see them return every year was a real treat. I was also drawn in to the story of Alex and her family and the life lessons she learned while being on the island. A cute book for any age .
June 19, 2011
We've all heard don't judge a book by its cover, but Lost on Brier Island is the exception to this rule.
The cover art began with a photo taken by author Jo Ann Yhard on a visit to Brier Island in Nova Scotia's Bay of Fundy. It shows fog swirling above a grassy, sea-weedy bog, a weathered fishing shack perched on the rugged shore beside slippery black rocks. It's a scene Maritimers know well, a backdrop shared by many living in rural coastal areas and looking at it, you can almost smell the sea wrack.
Below the bog a whale glides by, his downturned mouth lending him an air of defiance. We learn this is Daredevil, a curious young humpback with a penchant for leaving the safety of his mother's side to explore and play in the North Atlantic.
Layered into the scene is a girl, staring into the distance with concern etched onto her face. Fourteen-year-old Alex, our protagonist, has been sent from Halifax to spend the summer with her Aunt Sophie on Brier Island where she will presumably get a reprieve from problems at home and work through her unspeakable grief.
The cover evokes the mood of the book perfectly. This story is not about a teenaged girl preoccupied with boys, Justin Bieber or her complexion. She is working through real pain, resisting the efforts of those in this tight-knit, fishing and whale-watching community to draw her out.
Alex's journey to understand and reconcile with recent events is appropriately difficult. No amount of homemade chowder or tea biscuits, or match-making, will do the trick – although they help. It takes both the closeness of family, friends and a whale – and the space they allow her to reflect and journey, for Alex to gain some necessary perspective and confidence.
The folks in this book are likable but not perfect, including Alex, who can be mean, selfish and cold to those around her. It made me like her all the more. Most importantly she and the other characters are believable, and I was transported directly into their curious island community, a place I visited once and which struck me then, as it did now, as a special and mysterious place.
Lost on Brier Island, from Nova Scotia's own Nimbus Publishing, builds gradually to a suspenseful ending that is somehow both imperfect yet just right. You'll know what I mean when you're finished. This book will appeal equally to the young and not-so-young adult reader, in which the kids are treated as multi-dimensional, real people. Please read it soon and leave a comment below if you are inclined. You can also read my review on my website: www.alisondelory.com
The cover art began with a photo taken by author Jo Ann Yhard on a visit to Brier Island in Nova Scotia's Bay of Fundy. It shows fog swirling above a grassy, sea-weedy bog, a weathered fishing shack perched on the rugged shore beside slippery black rocks. It's a scene Maritimers know well, a backdrop shared by many living in rural coastal areas and looking at it, you can almost smell the sea wrack.
Below the bog a whale glides by, his downturned mouth lending him an air of defiance. We learn this is Daredevil, a curious young humpback with a penchant for leaving the safety of his mother's side to explore and play in the North Atlantic.
Layered into the scene is a girl, staring into the distance with concern etched onto her face. Fourteen-year-old Alex, our protagonist, has been sent from Halifax to spend the summer with her Aunt Sophie on Brier Island where she will presumably get a reprieve from problems at home and work through her unspeakable grief.
The cover evokes the mood of the book perfectly. This story is not about a teenaged girl preoccupied with boys, Justin Bieber or her complexion. She is working through real pain, resisting the efforts of those in this tight-knit, fishing and whale-watching community to draw her out.
Alex's journey to understand and reconcile with recent events is appropriately difficult. No amount of homemade chowder or tea biscuits, or match-making, will do the trick – although they help. It takes both the closeness of family, friends and a whale – and the space they allow her to reflect and journey, for Alex to gain some necessary perspective and confidence.
The folks in this book are likable but not perfect, including Alex, who can be mean, selfish and cold to those around her. It made me like her all the more. Most importantly she and the other characters are believable, and I was transported directly into their curious island community, a place I visited once and which struck me then, as it did now, as a special and mysterious place.
Lost on Brier Island, from Nova Scotia's own Nimbus Publishing, builds gradually to a suspenseful ending that is somehow both imperfect yet just right. You'll know what I mean when you're finished. This book will appeal equally to the young and not-so-young adult reader, in which the kids are treated as multi-dimensional, real people. Please read it soon and leave a comment below if you are inclined. You can also read my review on my website: www.alisondelory.com
January 11, 2021
My son and I just finished reading this wonderful young adult novel 'Lost on Brier Island' by Jo Ann Yhard. A story of a 14-year-old girl adjusting to being just half a twin after an accident claimed her brother. Sent to her aunt's place on Brier Island, with no malls, no theatres, and everybody knowing her business was quite the culture shock for her on top of the guilt she felt regarding her brother's accident. Things begin to change on a Whale Watching Tour, with a large lion of a man named Gus, when she discovers a baby whale she names Daredevil.
The descriptions of the Island by Jo Ann are so well done that you can just smell the ocean. The gripping moments of life and death made us hang on to our seats as we sped through the book wanting to know what happened next. We now have a trip to Brier Island's lodge and a whale watching tour on our bucket list. We will be looking for more titles by Jo Ann Yhard to read in the future.
The descriptions of the Island by Jo Ann are so well done that you can just smell the ocean. The gripping moments of life and death made us hang on to our seats as we sped through the book wanting to know what happened next. We now have a trip to Brier Island's lodge and a whale watching tour on our bucket list. We will be looking for more titles by Jo Ann Yhard to read in the future.
March 18, 2012
Very enjoyable story. Lost on Brier Island is full of emotions, beautiful settings, vibrant characters (which you will easily connect with it, as they're just unbelievably likable and real), and interesting plot developments.
It's a very refreshing and charming read, perfect for sunny Spring days :)
It's a very refreshing and charming read, perfect for sunny Spring days :)
August 18, 2014
One of my favourite books I have read to this date. It was so good. I met Jo Ann Yhard a few years back since I am from halifax. She is so nice. This book made me go to the island. I fall in love.
March 10, 2017
A great little YA book - good for adults too
July 27, 2015
First of all, this is a book for Young Adults, so that's part of the reason it didn't get 4 stars. I know, I know: it's not fair just because I'm not a YA, but that's the way it is, folks.
My motivation for reading this book, was an upcoming trip to Brier Island. I wanted to know more about the place I was going to visit, and this book definitely painted a picture of this unique island at the end of Digby Neck in Nova Scotia.
The author had created a memorable and realistic characters, and thrown them together in a story about coming to terms with a deep personal loss. It's a little heavy, but the plot moves quickly enough to keep things light. The main character is believable, and the story of her emotional turmoil is revealed little by little making this book a bit of a mystery.
The description of Brier Island itself is richly detailed, and the things that make the it unique (flora, fauna, characters, landscape) are a big part of the book. Visiting Brier Island made the book come to life!
Recommended for YA's who plan to visit or have visited Brier Island, or adults who want a quick read and don't mind a young main character.
My motivation for reading this book, was an upcoming trip to Brier Island. I wanted to know more about the place I was going to visit, and this book definitely painted a picture of this unique island at the end of Digby Neck in Nova Scotia.
The author had created a memorable and realistic characters, and thrown them together in a story about coming to terms with a deep personal loss. It's a little heavy, but the plot moves quickly enough to keep things light. The main character is believable, and the story of her emotional turmoil is revealed little by little making this book a bit of a mystery.
The description of Brier Island itself is richly detailed, and the things that make the it unique (flora, fauna, characters, landscape) are a big part of the book. Visiting Brier Island made the book come to life!
Recommended for YA's who plan to visit or have visited Brier Island, or adults who want a quick read and don't mind a young main character.
August 17, 2016
Have you ever read a book that stays with you long after you close the last page?? Well LOST ON BRIER ISLAND is one of those books for me. The main character Alex isn't happy about what her summer will be like, leaving the big city to be on an island where life is different in so many ways. But she befriends a whale she names Daredevil, and summer becomes more interesting, intriguing and adventurous. This funny and engaging story about self discovery will capture the hearts of readers of all ages. One passage that sticks in my mind is the moment Alex comes face to face with her new whale friend: "Wondering if she might be able to as least catch a glimpse of a nearby jellyfish through the fog, Alex leaned cautiously over the railing and peered down into the calm water. A humungous eye was staring back at her. Alex screamed." (Pg. 17). Not just a heart warming story, this book has some thrilling and tense moments as well. A super read! And one that has me dreaming of a visit to Brier Island!
October 17, 2011
This is a short (175 pgs) touching story about Alex, a girl who is trying to deal with the loss of her twin brother and being sent to stay with her aunt, because a she feels (incorrectly) that her parent want to get rid of her. She thinks it is he fault that her brother is dead.
While taking a tour on a Whale Watch boat Alex has an encounter with a baby whale (which she names Daredevil), she becomes attached to the pup.
It is a story that will have some of you crying at one point or another as Alex also finds out that her parents are separating, which causes her to run from her aunt house on the island.
I don't want to include to many detail about the actual events that happen in the book, as I truly enjoyed reading it as a break from the other genre's that I read.
Yes I do read more than just SciFi/Fantasy that my book list on Good Reads would indicate.
I would recommend this to young teens and up for a quick read.
While taking a tour on a Whale Watch boat Alex has an encounter with a baby whale (which she names Daredevil), she becomes attached to the pup.
It is a story that will have some of you crying at one point or another as Alex also finds out that her parents are separating, which causes her to run from her aunt house on the island.
I don't want to include to many detail about the actual events that happen in the book, as I truly enjoyed reading it as a break from the other genre's that I read.
Yes I do read more than just SciFi/Fantasy that my book list on Good Reads would indicate.
I would recommend this to young teens and up for a quick read.
June 8, 2011
This was a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
Lost on Brier Island is the story of a girl grieving the death of her twin brother. Her parents send her to live with her aunt on Brier Island, where she forms a friendship with a whale calf she names Daredevil. This is a lovely, quiet, book and although I think the audience of the novel was perhaps meant to be slightly younger than me, I never felt like it was talking down. Without an overload of lengthy description or complicated dialogue the author manages to invoke clear imagery of the island, and distinct characters in its people. That the ending was somewhat open ended and bittersweet really made the book feel real for me. Overall, this was a short and very enjoyable read for a summer afternoon.
Lost on Brier Island is the story of a girl grieving the death of her twin brother. Her parents send her to live with her aunt on Brier Island, where she forms a friendship with a whale calf she names Daredevil. This is a lovely, quiet, book and although I think the audience of the novel was perhaps meant to be slightly younger than me, I never felt like it was talking down. Without an overload of lengthy description or complicated dialogue the author manages to invoke clear imagery of the island, and distinct characters in its people. That the ending was somewhat open ended and bittersweet really made the book feel real for me. Overall, this was a short and very enjoyable read for a summer afternoon.
March 20, 2012
I sometimes find it hard to rate YA books using the Good Reads rating system. Because I am an adult. Some books can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. Other books, not so much. I feel that "Lost on Brier Island" probably isn't a book that most adults would enjoy. Which I must point out isn't a bad thing! This book gets 2 stars from this adult reader, but that doesn't mean I think it sucks. I think a lot of younger people would probably quite like it! It is well written, the subject matter is something that kids would probably find interesting, and there is an important lesson in the end.
I hope this review makes sense. I would recommend "Lost on Brier Island" for younger readers, but probably not to any of my adult friends.
I hope this review makes sense. I would recommend "Lost on Brier Island" for younger readers, but probably not to any of my adult friends.
October 19, 2011
I enjoyed reading this book! I got it from Goodreads Giveaways. The main character, Alex, is very compelling. She is surrounded by a fog of her own creation. Guilt eats away at her as she tries to cope with the loss of her brother. She's sent away to Brier Island with her aunt where it seems likes no one minds their own buisness. The first thing able to penetrate her emotional wall, comes in the form of a baby whale. Wrong assumptions and near-death expirences attest to how fragile families are. This book also touches on healing, even if all the pieces have to be stitched back togehter one by one. Firends make life a little easier :)
June 10, 2011
This story shows that a book for children doesn't need to be childish. JoAnn Yhard tackles some serious topics that kids often have to cope with without ever being ready. From loss and forgiveness, to marriage and divorce, Yhard takes the reader through one girl's journey to understanding.
JoAnn Yhard has created a cast of characters that share both inner strength and turmoil. It is a beautifully written tale that weaves these characters together from their separate threads.
JoAnn Yhard has created a cast of characters that share both inner strength and turmoil. It is a beautifully written tale that weaves these characters together from their separate threads.
July 12, 2011
Love this book! Great, great YA read. Perfect for the summer. Review to come.
June 11, 2011
Well-written novel about a girl, who is getting over a tragic experience, and learns that maybe she isn't as much of a wuss as she's always thought.
Can't wait to share my review with you here.
Can't wait to share my review with you here.
December 16, 2011
Beautifully written. A sad, sweet book.
July 1, 2012
Touching
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