Two on an Island

by Bianca Bradbury

When Jeff and his sister Trudy are marooned on a tiny island for three days they must learn to combat hunger, thirst, exposure, fright, and, most of all they must learn to depend on each other.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Young Adult, Adventure

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Bianca Bradbury lived in Connecticut, and as a young wife, her writing took the form of verse, articles and short stories, which found their way into such magazines as Family Circle and McCall’s. Once she had two children, she began writing, first picture books, and then longer books. Later, when her two sons had grown up and left home, Mrs. Bradbury’s fiction focused mostly on contemporary issues for young adults. Besides a love for animals, which is most evident in her books for younger readers, her novels reveal her deep interest in honestly dealing with the realities of life. She was never afraid of tackling controversial subjects, desiring to do so with integrity and hope.

Her sons recall the life-long discipline she exhibited in her writing craft and her happy zest for life, both important attributes in writers for the young. She wrote 46 books over a span of 40 years. Mrs. Bradbury died in 1982

Reviews

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only other person I ever knew who read this book as a youth was just as affected by it as I was. This memorable story recounts the adventure of a pair of siblings and their dog, stranded unexpectedly on a sand bar across the bay from the city where their grandmother resides. Through a lack of communication, no one knows the 12-year-old boy and his little sister are stuck on the island.

Over the course of several days, the two fight hunger, thirst, sunburn, rats, illness, and emotional turmoil as they argue in typical family fashion while the frustration grows that no one seems to realize they're in trouble, though thousands of people are a few hundred yards away.

This little story is so moving, so appropriate in capturing and describing the emotions that run rampant through a typical 12-year-old's mind and heart, that if you read it in childhood you'll always remember it, and if you read it as an adult, it will make you feel 12 again.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books as a young person. Still think about it 45 years later.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been out of print for a while, but my parents found some old chapter books at an auction, and, since they knew I was a kid at heart, they gave them to me...and this was one of them. It has a lot of old-school charm, and the illustrations are fun; all in all, a good read.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny how I started thinking about this book recently when I haven't read it for probably more than 30 years. But the story stuck with me. Two children, trapped on an island within view of their city, with no one knowing they're even missing. Struggling to survive against rats, hunger, thirst, and illness. This is a thrilling little book that still has an emotional punch. Well worth re-reading.

[Dichotomy Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun. Other than the title and the cover, I really didn't remember the contents at all, so it was like reading it for the first time. I tend to enjoy "survival" type books The Island Keeper is my favorite) aimed at young people. My only problem with this book, is that to my modern sensibilities the little boy's personality was a bit disturbing, like in need of therapy! (not to mention the complete lack of parental supervision, even though I know that I was pretty much allowed to roam free at that age)

Previous:
So, this book randomly popped into my head today. Of course, all I could remember that it was about a brother and a sister, and being stuck on an island, that it had a yellow cover (my childhood copy was about 20 years old and so was faded.) and that it had a prosaic title (I tried such gems as "Stuck on an island" and "Stranded on the Island"). But eventually trusty google led me there, and even better my library system has a copy, which is amazing considering it is an obscure book published 50 years ago!

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I agree with most other reviewers who shared that this was one of our favorite books as an elementary school child. Now in my 40's, I can recall how suspenseful this survival story was for me way back when I had read the book. As soon as another reviewer mentioned the tomato juice and pineapple juice, i could instantly remember my reaction to that scene in the book. Wonderful read.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I searched forever for this book and finally I've found it.
But alas, it costs nearly 30.00 used on Amazon and I can't find my old copy of it.
Great book, a fun one for kids to read (or adults for that matter).
The way children's lit should be.
PMZ

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this when I was a kid. I think it was one of the first survival stories I ever read, and I loved it.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book stuck with me. It made me wish I had a brother. I can't drink tomato juice to this day without thinking of this book. I just found a used copy for my nieces.

[Jennifer Butcher mercer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cant wait to read this book again!! read it as a kid and have never stopped thinking about it!! thanks to modern day technology, I have!!!

[Ellie Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

So sweet. Yes, it has misogynistic under tones but also yes, it was published in 1968. In the end the boy finds his softness and the girl finds her courage while also staying true to their original traits. Got me out of a slump, great one sitting read

[Rodney Haydon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book that I would have enjoyed reading as a kid. I liked the realistic nature of the two siblings in this survival story.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have looked for this book for a long time. One of my best memories is reading this book as a child. I checked it out of the library on a regular basis. So happy I found it.

[Cindy aka "The Book Fairy" · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a memorable story of two siblings stranded, their relationship, and how they see each other in a new light...

[Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this as a mid-teen, and loved the suspenseful story of survival on an island.

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was written in 1965 and is a scholastic book … It was written during a time when family relationships were important and visiting grandparents was a normal, fun part of life. Two siblings very unexpectedly get marooned on a small island and learn some great life lessons as a result! I would have loved this book as a 10-12 year old!

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY back about 1978, I was in the fourth grade and our Gestapo-like teacher read us this book after recess, when we were all hot and sweaty and wanted to do anything BUT sit still and listen to Miss Walker drone on.



However, I remember this book clearly. Despite the title, there really is THREE on the island. The dog is a major character. I also thought it was funny that the older brother wound up having to talk the annoying talk of an adult to his younger sister in order to keep her alive. Now he knows why his parents have to be so tough sometimes. Yes, the milk is sour but if it is the only food on the island, make the little sister drink it.



Recommended no matter how old you are or whether you like dogs or not.

[Tressa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feeling nostalgic today for lesser-known books of my youth. My second grade teacher read this book to the class and I fell in love with the story. I love the camaraderie between the siblings, and how they took care of one another while awaiting rescue. What really stands out after forty years is how the only liquids on the island they had to drink were from some unlabeled tin cans. I vividly remember one day they got tomato juice and the next day pineapple juice. Oh, the things a kid chooses to remember!

[Partridge Public]

Bradbury, Bianca

[Laura Spears · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story about the struggle of these children and how it changes their relationship.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Copyright 1965. Scholastic. Mid elementary grades & up. My book is from that date. This was a favorite reread back in the day.
The boy, Jeff is 12 years old & a loner. Has some social awkwardness as well.
The girl, Trudy is 9 years old & has a sunny disposition.
They're always fighting, usually because Jeff instigates it.
Going to visit grandma a series of events leaves them stranded on a deserted island with very little food & water. Add a large German Shephard into it & there's problems.
There is a HEA.
I still like this story!

[Gillian Wiseman · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a child, I adored this book. Or at least I remember loving it. I must have read it half-a-dozen times. As an adult rereading it, I found it a bit didactic - particularly at the end - and a little dated (kids today would have a cellphone!) but still entertaining. The boy's attitude to his sister and his fear of being thought childish and emotional for showing any affection or liking for her was kinda sad. I hope we're moving past that sort of view of "what boys are supposed to be like."

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a small child. Repeatedly. And today at 35 remembered it and had to go on an hour long multi page search for the title. This story has lives rent free in my mind for all these years and I'm really quite sad I can't let my children read it 😔 will always have a tender place fo3 this book in my heart.

[Stephanie Turcotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never forgot this book, it was one of my favourites as a kid. Recently found a copy through a reseller and it was like going back in time. Not really dated at all, except the kids don’t have cell phone. Wonderful book.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 2 out of 5]

C-. fiction, children's fiction,grade 4, adventure, marooned, siblings,dated, Mom's stash, discard

[Shady Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading Two On An Island. Amazing book.

Bianca Bradbury’s Two On An Island is a children’s story about a brother and sister and their dog, who set out for a day of adventure and end up stranded on an island. They don’t have adequate food or shelter, and have to fight the elements to survive.

This is a very well written and entertaining book. It is wonderful to see this brother and sister working together to survive their ordeal. Of course they do not always get along, but in the end they’ve stayed united and that’s what counts.

Read today by someone born in 1974, the story is also symbolic of the wonderful times as a child when you were carefree and had the freedom to do what you wanted. These two children were allowed to go to their grandparents by themselves and use a boat, while in this day and age parents barely let children go outside alone. Those days of Two On An Island (published 1965) are sorely missed. Parents are now too overprotective, and in my opinion that ruins childhood. Children need to go out and discover new and exciting things on their own. Everyone learns by their mistakes.

I really enjoyed this children’s novel. It is a great book for anyone who is interested in adventure, and it takes you back to childhood. I’d definitely recommend it. It is a classic.

[Catherine Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like the book and it's kinda sad when no knows the kids and their dog is on a island. My younger brother got this book for my family to read it and from reading it i really loved it.