Thief Island

by Elizabeth Coatsworth, John Wonsetler (Illustrator)

A tale of how a little family -- the father a fisherman, and two children, make a new home and a new career on a lonely island (off the Coast of Maine), and of how a thirteen day storm brings the solution of their problems.

118 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1943

About the author

Elizabeth Jane Coatsworth was best known as the author of Away Goes Sally, The Cat Who Went to Heaven, which won the 1931 Newbery Medal, and the four Incredible Tales, but in fact she wrote more than 90 books for children. She was extremely interested in the world around her, particularly the people of Maine, as well as the houses and the surrounding land. She also loved the history and myths of her favorite places, those near her home and those encountered on her countless travels.

Coatsworth graduated from Vassar College in 1915 and received a Master of Arts from Columbia University in 1916. In 1929, she married writer Henry Beston, with whom she had two children. When she was in her thirties, her first books of adult poetry were published. For over fifty years, she continued to write and publish poetry in collections and to weave poems between the chapters of her books of fiction.

Reviews

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming book first printed in 1943. It is about a father and his two children who have to move to a lonely island off the coast of Maine after losing their life savings.
There are rumours that the island is haunted but the children soon make themselves at home until a savage winter storm changes everything.
I picked this up in a joblot on Ebay. It was a joy to read. Very uncomplicated writing with engaging characters. A real find!

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice mystery for children set on an island in a lobster fishing area.