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Moonpenny Island
From Tricia Springstubb, author of What Happened on Fox Street and Mo Wren, Lost and Found, comes a deeply affecting and memorable story about a young girl’s coming of age on her small island home.
Moonpenny is a tiny island in a great lake. When the summer people leave and the ferries stop running, just the tried-and-true islanders are left behind. Flor and her best, her perfect friend, Sylvie, are the only eleven-year-olds for miles and miles—and Flor couldn’t be happier.
But come the end of summer, unthinkable things begin to happen. Sylvie is suddenly, mysteriously whisked away to school on the mainland. Flor’s mother leaves to take care of Flor’s sick grandmother and doesn’t come back. Her big sister has a secret, and Flor fears it’s a dangerous one.
Meanwhile, a geologist and his peculiar daughter arrive to excavate prehistoric trilobites, one of the first creatures to develop sight. Soon Flor is helping them. As her own ability to see her life on this little lump of limestone evolves, she faces truths about those she loves—and about herself—she never imagined.
Tricia Springstubb tells a warm and deeply affecting story about what it means to see, and why the biggest feat of all may be seeing through someone else’s eyes.
Moonpenny is a tiny island in a great lake. When the summer people leave and the ferries stop running, just the tried-and-true islanders are left behind. Flor and her best, her perfect friend, Sylvie, are the only eleven-year-olds for miles and miles—and Flor couldn’t be happier.
But come the end of summer, unthinkable things begin to happen. Sylvie is suddenly, mysteriously whisked away to school on the mainland. Flor’s mother leaves to take care of Flor’s sick grandmother and doesn’t come back. Her big sister has a secret, and Flor fears it’s a dangerous one.
Meanwhile, a geologist and his peculiar daughter arrive to excavate prehistoric trilobites, one of the first creatures to develop sight. Soon Flor is helping them. As her own ability to see her life on this little lump of limestone evolves, she faces truths about those she loves—and about herself—she never imagined.
Tricia Springstubb tells a warm and deeply affecting story about what it means to see, and why the biggest feat of all may be seeing through someone else’s eyes.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2015
17 people are currently reading
984 people want to read
About the author
Tricia Springstubb
31 books156 followersSister James Bernard, my first grade teacher, taught me how to read. Our class had 60 children (yes) and we went up and down the long rows, taking turns reading aloud. There was absolutely no reading ahead, which was torture. I was always dying to know What happened next? (though with Dick and Jane, the answer was usually, Not much.) As I grew up, I began to wonder not only what happened, but why, and much much later,inhabiting other people's stories wasn't enough. I began to make my own.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
August 20, 2019
This book totally wowed me! A likable protagonist, a unique setting on a small island, very realistic, flawed characters. An insightful focus on the challenges inherent in all relationships - in marriage, family, or friendships. When challenges arise, the struggle to rise above our misconceptions and see through another’s eyes. A complete joy of a read. Highly recommended.
December 11, 2014
My review for the San Francisco Book Review:
Flor and Sylvie are best friends. They have been forever. They live on a tiny island in the middle of a huge lake. In summer, the island teems with people, but when autumn comes, the summer people leave and Flor and Sylvie are the only two eleven-year-old girls for miles. But when this summer ends, things change. Sylvie’s parents send her to live with relatives on the mainland and go to school there. Flor and Sylvie can email and talk on the phone, but it isn’t the same. Flor’s mother also leaves to stay with her mother and sisters on the mainland because, she says, her mother is ill. In addition, Flor’s older sister, Cecelia, seems to be pulling away and just isn’t there for Flor anymore. Their father seems to work all the time. Flor is bereft and lonely.
Tricia Springstubb has written an absolutely engaging and charming novel that will capture the tween set and older readers as well. The writing is lively, the characters well rounded and interesting and believable, and the story one with which young readers will fully relate and understand. Spingstubb explores friendship, young love, and family dynamics in ways specific to middle-graders.
Flor and Sylvie are best friends. They have been forever. They live on a tiny island in the middle of a huge lake. In summer, the island teems with people, but when autumn comes, the summer people leave and Flor and Sylvie are the only two eleven-year-old girls for miles. But when this summer ends, things change. Sylvie’s parents send her to live with relatives on the mainland and go to school there. Flor and Sylvie can email and talk on the phone, but it isn’t the same. Flor’s mother also leaves to stay with her mother and sisters on the mainland because, she says, her mother is ill. In addition, Flor’s older sister, Cecelia, seems to be pulling away and just isn’t there for Flor anymore. Their father seems to work all the time. Flor is bereft and lonely.
Tricia Springstubb has written an absolutely engaging and charming novel that will capture the tween set and older readers as well. The writing is lively, the characters well rounded and interesting and believable, and the story one with which young readers will fully relate and understand. Spingstubb explores friendship, young love, and family dynamics in ways specific to middle-graders.
May 15, 2015
Moonpenny Island by Tricia Springstubb is a book about Flor O’Dell and Sylvie Pinch. Flor and Sylvie are best friends they are the only eleven years olds around. Summer is coming to an end and Sylvie has some shocking news. She is going to live with her aunt and uncle and the worst part is she’s going miles and miles away from the island. There is nothing the two can do about it. Shortly after Sylvie leaves Flor soon finds out her mother is leaving the island too. She leaves to go help a sick relative and doesn’t come back. After their mom leaves Flors’ sister Celia goes from good, smart, always studying student to someone who keeps secrets, sneaks out at night, lies and worst of all, does dangerous things. Flor tires to stop this but there is nothing she can do to make her sister stop or even listen to her. Will this family fall apart without their mother?
I really enjoyed this book it was enjoyable to read and I would recommend it to anyway who likes a bit of a laid back book with lots of differnt things happening at once and all the different adventures they have. I would recommend it to any of my friends.
I really enjoyed this book it was enjoyable to read and I would recommend it to anyway who likes a bit of a laid back book with lots of differnt things happening at once and all the different adventures they have. I would recommend it to any of my friends.
January 22, 2015
This book is perfect. Beautiful writing. Wonderful characters with believable flaws and problems. Gorgeous descriptions of feelings of frienship, siblings, and growing up. I hated to leave Moonpenny Island. Give this book a Newbery, please.
May 20, 2022
This book felt like a warm melody strung together from a cascade of memories. The whole setting of this book is incredible. Just think about! The main character lives in a beautiful island very far away from the mainland and she lives so near to a beach. The way the setting is described by the author marvelled me even more. The skies at night and calm lakes that the protagonist happens to watch is nicely described.
The protagonist herself is really remarkable. Flor is a dutiful eleven year old girl and her emotional reflections about her best friend is really good. After Flor another character whom I liked and sympathised with was Perry. His character portrays the misunderstood teenager really well. Perry was really impulsive at many times in the story but I can't deny he was truly a well written character. Cecilia is one of the other characters I would like to mention in this review. She seem to understand people's imperfections and proves to be a great and caring sister in times of need. Cecilia is also loving towards Flor in her own way.
The main theme of this book seems to be family relationships and long distant friendships. There are also many other themes thrown in between the story. Parent's and sibling's concern about their family is also in the book.
The author's writing style is another thing that had made me love this beautiful story. The elegant and capturing way this book is written is good and is one of the other things that draws the reader into the story. Overall this was a worthy read and I reccomend it to anyone who want to read a light book with a beautiful story.
Happy reading:)
The protagonist herself is really remarkable. Flor is a dutiful eleven year old girl and her emotional reflections about her best friend is really good. After Flor another character whom I liked and sympathised with was Perry. His character portrays the misunderstood teenager really well. Perry was really impulsive at many times in the story but I can't deny he was truly a well written character. Cecilia is one of the other characters I would like to mention in this review. She seem to understand people's imperfections and proves to be a great and caring sister in times of need. Cecilia is also loving towards Flor in her own way.
The main theme of this book seems to be family relationships and long distant friendships. There are also many other themes thrown in between the story. Parent's and sibling's concern about their family is also in the book.
The author's writing style is another thing that had made me love this beautiful story. The elegant and capturing way this book is written is good and is one of the other things that draws the reader into the story. Overall this was a worthy read and I reccomend it to anyone who want to read a light book with a beautiful story.
Happy reading:)
February 9, 2015
The author of What Happened on Fox Street returns with a beautiful story set on a little island in a large lake. Flor loves her island home, loves being able to ride her bicycle everywhere, loves that her best friend is the only other person in her grade at school, and loves that she knows all of the people who live there year round. But things start to change that Flor has no way to control. Her best friend is sent off the island to attend a different school, leaving Flor the only person in sixth grade. Flor’s mother leaves to take care of her sick grandmother, and with her parents always fighting, maybe she won’t be back. Even her very responsible older sister is hiding something from Flor. Flor has to figure out how to live in this new island landscape where everything is changing around her. But in change there is also opportunity, perhaps a new friend (or two) and also seeing things for what they actually are.
Springstubb writes a love letter to her island setting. She imbues each bike ride of Flor’s with a beauty and a celebration of this small island and its nature. Her writing sparkles like sun on the water as she picks unique metaphors to show both her characters emotions and the setting. Here is one of my favorite examples: “Her heart’s a circus, with trapezes and tightropes and people shooting out of cannons but no nets – someone forgot the nets.” Springstubb also shows emotions rather than telling about them. Flor’s emotions come out in the way she digs her toes in sand, how she pedals her bicycle and through what she notices in the island itself.
Flor is a great young protagonist. She reads like an eleven year old, desperate to hold her family and friends together. She has a youthful and frenzied love of her island, something that readers can see may change in the future but it is her connection to this place that makes this book work so beautifully. She is fiercely protective of her siblings, throwing herself in to defend and protect them even as she proves that she has no understanding of teen love, something refreshing in a young protagonist.
Strong written, this book is beautiful, deep and rich just like its island setting. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
Springstubb writes a love letter to her island setting. She imbues each bike ride of Flor’s with a beauty and a celebration of this small island and its nature. Her writing sparkles like sun on the water as she picks unique metaphors to show both her characters emotions and the setting. Here is one of my favorite examples: “Her heart’s a circus, with trapezes and tightropes and people shooting out of cannons but no nets – someone forgot the nets.” Springstubb also shows emotions rather than telling about them. Flor’s emotions come out in the way she digs her toes in sand, how she pedals her bicycle and through what she notices in the island itself.
Flor is a great young protagonist. She reads like an eleven year old, desperate to hold her family and friends together. She has a youthful and frenzied love of her island, something that readers can see may change in the future but it is her connection to this place that makes this book work so beautifully. She is fiercely protective of her siblings, throwing herself in to defend and protect them even as she proves that she has no understanding of teen love, something refreshing in a young protagonist.
Strong written, this book is beautiful, deep and rich just like its island setting. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
February 19, 2015
Moonpenny Island by Tricia Springstubb – release date Feb. 2015 – Realistic Fiction, 4th grade and up –
Book Talk: What happens when your best friend is sent to a special private school and you are left behind, not only left behind but you are the only kid in your grade level at your tiny little island school? Can you bear to make new friends? What if your parents fights escalate so much that one of them leaves without a return day? Thank goodness for phones and email. They can help you connect with missing best friends…
My thoughts: Loved this story and especially enjoyed reading about the simple island life in the book in addition to how different people deal with conflict, alcoholism, and more. Great for kids who might be dealing with friendship problems. Also good for discussions on alcoholism and how it impacts more than just the person drinking.
Favorite quote: “If Sylvie’s heart was a fruit, it would be a sweet, ripe strawberry.”
Book Talk: What happens when your best friend is sent to a special private school and you are left behind, not only left behind but you are the only kid in your grade level at your tiny little island school? Can you bear to make new friends? What if your parents fights escalate so much that one of them leaves without a return day? Thank goodness for phones and email. They can help you connect with missing best friends…
My thoughts: Loved this story and especially enjoyed reading about the simple island life in the book in addition to how different people deal with conflict, alcoholism, and more. Great for kids who might be dealing with friendship problems. Also good for discussions on alcoholism and how it impacts more than just the person drinking.
Favorite quote: “If Sylvie’s heart was a fruit, it would be a sweet, ripe strawberry.”
July 14, 2015
Moonpenny Island, by Tricia Springstubb, offers readers a glimpse into life on an island: busy during the summer months, often lonely during the winters. The small population of islanders after the summer season makes for small classes at the island school. In Flor's grade, there has been only one other student-her best friend Sylvie. But this year, Sylvie is going to the mainland to live with her aunt and uncle, and attend school. What will Flor do without her best friend and confidante? This sudden and disturbing change is the first of many that Flor will have to endure throughout the course of the story. Through it all, Flor will learn about the challenges of living on an island, and the joys and sacrifices that are all a part of growing up.
This book drew me into the story at the beginning, as we see the deep friendship that Flor and Sylvie have with one another. But as Sylvie leaves the island, and we get to see into Flor's life, it became somewhat sad for me. There were so many changes taking place in Flor's life, and most of them were depressing. The author alludes to several occurrences throughout the story that Flor can't wrap her head around, but it helped me see the direction that the story was heading. As the story began to resolve some of the issues, I felt like something was missing. Perhaps it was because the story ends mid-year, and I was left wondering things like: Whatever happens to Joe? What will Flor's and Sylvie's friendship be like when she returns for the summer? Where will Jasper fit into their friendship? What does the future hold for Flor's family? Sylvie's family? . I guess I feel like I need a sequel to see how the lives of these characters end up.
This book would be good for middle grade students. I have some fifth graders I will recommend it to, but I am not sure if they will pick up on all that the author alludes to throughout the story. Overall, I would say it was a good read.
This book drew me into the story at the beginning, as we see the deep friendship that Flor and Sylvie have with one another. But as Sylvie leaves the island, and we get to see into Flor's life, it became somewhat sad for me. There were so many changes taking place in Flor's life, and most of them were depressing. The author alludes to several occurrences throughout the story that Flor can't wrap her head around, but it helped me see the direction that the story was heading. As the story began to resolve some of the issues, I felt like something was missing. Perhaps it was because the story ends mid-year, and I was left wondering things like: Whatever happens to Joe? What will Flor's and Sylvie's friendship be like when she returns for the summer? Where will Jasper fit into their friendship? What does the future hold for Flor's family? Sylvie's family? . I guess I feel like I need a sequel to see how the lives of these characters end up.
This book would be good for middle grade students. I have some fifth graders I will recommend it to, but I am not sure if they will pick up on all that the author alludes to throughout the story. Overall, I would say it was a good read.
June 24, 2015
Flor lives on a tiny island in Lake Erie not far from Toledo, OH. It's a popular vacation spot, especially for birders, and most everyone who lives on the island year round is connected to the quarry. As the summer ends and the school year begins, Flor is looking forward to being 1 of only 2 6th graders on the island (the other being her best perfect friend Sylvie), but when Sylvie announces that she will be moving in with aunt and uncle in Toledo, Flor's whole world begins to change.
Sylvie's family owns the quarry and from a distance seem perfect and rich, but as Flor will learn they are protecting some very big secrets. Meanwhile, Flor's family is cracking at the seams. Her parents argue about anything and everything and her perfect sister is becoming distant. When Flor's mom leaves the island to care for her own ailing mother Flor and her siblings can't be sure she'll ever come back.
With her only friend in a new school, Flor meets a new girl named Jasper (after the rock/mineral) and her geologist father who is studying trilobites on the island. Jasper is straightforward and struggles with self-esteem related to a birth defect, but the pair grows close over the course of the school year. Flor also gets to know a boy named Joe who is also dealing with some family issues. His father drinks more than he can handle and Joe spends a lot of time covering for him. Joe helps Flor see a different side of herself, a part unconnected to Sylvie.
Using a theme centered around the evolution of sight, the author beautifully weaves a coming-of-age story about the changes in life and the situations that tests the bonds we form and prove their resiliency. The dialogue is superb, especially the scientific observations Jasper and Dr. Fife make as they speak to both trilobites and islanders.
Highly recommended for grades 4-6.
Sylvie's family owns the quarry and from a distance seem perfect and rich, but as Flor will learn they are protecting some very big secrets. Meanwhile, Flor's family is cracking at the seams. Her parents argue about anything and everything and her perfect sister is becoming distant. When Flor's mom leaves the island to care for her own ailing mother Flor and her siblings can't be sure she'll ever come back.
With her only friend in a new school, Flor meets a new girl named Jasper (after the rock/mineral) and her geologist father who is studying trilobites on the island. Jasper is straightforward and struggles with self-esteem related to a birth defect, but the pair grows close over the course of the school year. Flor also gets to know a boy named Joe who is also dealing with some family issues. His father drinks more than he can handle and Joe spends a lot of time covering for him. Joe helps Flor see a different side of herself, a part unconnected to Sylvie.
Using a theme centered around the evolution of sight, the author beautifully weaves a coming-of-age story about the changes in life and the situations that tests the bonds we form and prove their resiliency. The dialogue is superb, especially the scientific observations Jasper and Dr. Fife make as they speak to both trilobites and islanders.
Highly recommended for grades 4-6.
March 15, 2015
Flor and Sylvie aren’t just best friends; they’re the perfect match for each other. So, when Sylvie leaves their small town to go to a bigger, better school, Flor’s world falls apart. Meanwhile, Flor’s older sister Cecilia is growing more distant, and Flor’s parents aren’t getting along. The book contains several subplots; for example, Flor befriends the eccentric daughter of a visiting naturalist and helps her strict teacher to rediscover her favorite childhood book. The overall theme of love is ever-present and is seen in a variety of different kinds of relationships. "Moonpenny Island" is characterized by a small-town charm that makes it comparable to Sheila Turnage’s "Three Times Lucky" and "The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing", or Natalie Lloyd’s "A Snicker of Magic". I would also consider it a readalike of "Honey", which I happened to be reading at the same time. There are a lot of very strong points in this book, but unfortunately, for me, the narrative style just didn’t work. While reading it, I kept on thinking that I now understand why third-person narratives and present tense don’t often go together in literature.
March 19, 2015
Flor and Sylvie are the only 11 year olds on Moonpenny Island, a tiny island in a great lake. When the summer people leave, there are only a handful of families left on the island and when Sylvie leaves for boarding school on the mainland, Flor is devastated. It doesn't help that Flor's mom has to leave to care for Flor's sick grandmother or that Flor's older sister has a secret she's not sharing. Gradually Flor learns that she can cope with all these issues of growing up, she can cope and thrive.
This is a sort of introspective story that reminded me of all the thinking and pondering middle school aged girls do. All the while, they're coping with secrets and difficult life issues. In this book, alcoholism, parental arguments, abandonment, and hard partying are mentioned but very gently. Flor's dad, the police chief of Moonpenny Island, has a few things to say about living in such a small community: "The best thing about living here is, like it or not, we gotta depend on each other. A place this small, we either have each other's backs or we're sunk."
A very nice, quiet story which addresses an abundance of growing up issues. Mostly girls, 5th grade and up.
This is a sort of introspective story that reminded me of all the thinking and pondering middle school aged girls do. All the while, they're coping with secrets and difficult life issues. In this book, alcoholism, parental arguments, abandonment, and hard partying are mentioned but very gently. Flor's dad, the police chief of Moonpenny Island, has a few things to say about living in such a small community: "The best thing about living here is, like it or not, we gotta depend on each other. A place this small, we either have each other's backs or we're sunk."
A very nice, quiet story which addresses an abundance of growing up issues. Mostly girls, 5th grade and up.
April 13, 2015
I am so sorry for this rating. I read it because it was on goodreads potential Newbery's for 2016. Then, I read the beginning of this book and totally loved the book immediately. I loved the friendship of Flor and Sylvie. It remind me of my best friend and me growing up. However, after Sylvie started the private school on the mainland, the book no longer interested me. The story swung from Sylvie calling that she wasn't enjoying the school and Flor having to be the only sixth grader at her Moonpenny School to exploring the quarry and finding the geologist. The book became slow after Sylvie left but became even slower with all the lingo of geology fossil talk once the geologist entered the picture. (And I took geology in college and loved fossil hunting). I teach 5th grade and I could not see any of my students staying with this book. Sometimes I read a book through the eyes of students I teach. Maybe that is why I was so critical.
May 3, 2015
Flor loves living on Moonpenny Island, a tiny island in one of the Great Lakes, especially after the summer people leave. She has her best friend, her family, and the regulars that she can count on year after year. But at the end of the summer before sixth grade, everything starts to change. Her parents are fighting more and more every day. Her older sister, Cecelia, is acting secretive and sneaky in ways that she never has before. Worst of all, her best friend (and only other 11-year-old on the island) Sylvie is sent to the mainland for school. How could so many things possibly change at once? Just when it seems that things can't get any worse, Flor meets Jasper, who is on the island with her scientist father. With Jasper's help, Flor learns to see the island around her through new eyes, and to look at life from other people's perspective as well. A heart-warming story of growing up. Recommended for grades 4-7.
June 25, 2015
The only eleven year-olds on the small island, Flor and her best friend and soulmate, Sylvie, share everything and lead an idyllic life. At the end of the summer, however, suddenly everything changes. Sylvie is mysteriously sent to the mainland to school, Flor’s mother disappears supposedly to take care of her mother, her sister Cecilia is harboring what appears to be a dangerous secret and Flor is strangely asked to watch out for Sylvie’s wild brother. Nothing seems to make sense anymore, no one is talking, and everyone suddenly has secrets. This is a wonderful, warm tween novel about love, friendship, family and living with change.
Sharyn H. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.
February 19, 2015
Moonpenny Island by Tricia Springstubb is a great book all about friendship and change. Flor is perfectly happy with her life until her best friend leaves and so does her mother; all while a mysterious girl shows up. Springstubb writes about the small island and swimming hole plunging you deep into the story and reluctant to come out. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a deep story and a beautifully written book.
Merged review:
Moonpenny Island by Tricia Springstubb is a great book all about friendship and change. Flor is perfectly happy with her life until her best friend leaves and so does her mother; all while a mysterious girl shows up. Springstubb writes about the small island and swimming hole plunging you deep into the story and reluctant to come out. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a deep story and a beautifully written book.
Merged review:
Moonpenny Island by Tricia Springstubb is a great book all about friendship and change. Flor is perfectly happy with her life until her best friend leaves and so does her mother; all while a mysterious girl shows up. Springstubb writes about the small island and swimming hole plunging you deep into the story and reluctant to come out. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a deep story and a beautifully written book.
February 24, 2015
I always enjoy a good juvenile fiction book and this one was no exception. There is so much wonderful reading for this age level that gets missed because people think it will be too simple and not deal with difficult issues. This one is a story of Flor and her family and the other folks who live on Moonpenny Island in the Great Lakes. There are family issues, friendship issues, and growing up issues all enfolded together.
This said, the writing presents the story is such a readable way. Enjoyable.
One of the favorite statements in the book sums it up for me:
"She thought she knew everything there was to know about herself and Sylvie, but now she thinks maybe the real trick of seeing, the kind of seeing humans could really use, is the kind that lets you see through someone else's eyes."
This said, the writing presents the story is such a readable way. Enjoyable.
One of the favorite statements in the book sums it up for me:
"She thought she knew everything there was to know about herself and Sylvie, but now she thinks maybe the real trick of seeing, the kind of seeing humans could really use, is the kind that lets you see through someone else's eyes."
May 19, 2015
I lost this book in the house when I was about three-quarters of the way through, and basically tore up the joint looking for it because I was so disappointed at the idea of stopping reading. Not so much that I was dying to know what would happen -- it's not that kind of book -- just that I was so enjoying the characters and wanted to be with them some more. I loved the discussion of how friendships can grow and change, and of how sibling relationships evolve. The depiction of the island was colorful and fun, and just a touch magical without there being any actual magic in the book. The voice of Flor was convincingly childish without being cloying or using over-the-top dialect.
July 10, 2016
When Flor’s best friend, Sylvie, leaves their island to attend private school, Flor comes to recognize that there are many more changes that she has failed to notice. A gentle coming of age novel that is set on a small island in Lake Erie. Moonpenny Island and its quiet isolation are a big part of this story. Some island residents like Flor and her father can never imagine leaving while others like Sylvia and Flor’s mother and sister are not so sure. I particularly appreciated the frequent references to Anne of Green Gables. Give this to readers who enjoyed the Calpurnia Tate books.
December 22, 2014
I read an ARC of this story about a girl growing up on a small island, where life has always been the same until things begin to change. Her mom and best friend go away, a new girl comes to live there, and her sister is changing. The book's themes of evolution and slowing down to see what is "right there" will lead to great discussions in upper elementary classrooms.
April 15, 2015
An awful lot of drama packed into a very short time on one little island. There are so many things that are introduced to no real point, and the book leaves many questions unanswered. I'll stick with Bright Island instead.
March 24, 2015
Started off a little slow and I had trouble with the narration style at first. However, after a couple of chapters I was able to sink into this quiet story of friendship and family. Good for 4th-5th grade.
April 7, 2015
Just when I thought I couldn't stand another book about a young girl's coming of age, along comes this gem. Read my full review here.
May 27, 2017
I didn't like this book. The story was boring; nothing happens, at least that's what it felt like. I think it was supposed to be more dramatic than it was. I didn't like any of the characters either. I just didn't connect with anyone. The setting was nice, though. I like an island setting.
March 13, 2015
Not sure about appropriateness for 9- to 10-year-olds - alcoholism, older sister sneaking out, perhaps better for slightly older readers?
July 25, 2015
Love, love, loved it!
January 24, 2015
Originally posted here at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
Moonpenny Island by Tricia Springstubb is a book about family and friendship that is perfect for MG readers who enjoy quiet introspective reads.
Flor and Sylvie have lived on Moonpenny Island all of their lives and are the best of friends. Living on a small island in the middle of a great lake, the girls are really each other's only option for friends. The summer people come and they go and there are not that many island residences. But they have a deep and strong friendship bonded by more than just convenience. Everything is about to change for the girls as Sylvie is being sent to the mainland to live with her aunt and uncle so she has better opportunities at school. Flor is devastated. Before her world can right itself, Flor's mother then leaves to help take care of her sick mother. But is that just an excuse? Flor knows how bad things are between her parents. They are always fighting. Flor is determined nothing else in her world will change and focuses on keeping her teenage sister, who is acting odd, from doing anything stupid and leaving too. In the midst of all this turmoil, a geologist and his daughter come to the island and Flor discovers that it is possible to allow for new and different people into her heart and life.
Flor's story is one that many MG readers will be able to identify it. Despite the almost magical setting of the small island which most readers won't relate to, the other aspects of the story are universal. Flor's search for stability and her fierce opposition to change despite it being the best thing for those involved is one that will resonate. Readers who have ever feared their parents' separating or have experienced it will find much in this book to identify with. Anyone who has ever lost a friend to a move will likewise be able to understand and feel Flor's pain. I enjoyed the developing friendships Flor discovers once Sylvie leaves and the community of the small island. I think that Springstubb did a great job bringing all the characters to life and making the island feel real. I particularly enjoyed the the tension and relationship between Sylvie's older brother and everyone else on the island. There was a lot of nuance and depth to that whole storyline that is incredibly well done. Exactly enough to show the complexities of it, but without so much detail that it will confuse young readers.
Moonpenny Island is fairly typical realistic MG fiction. It's about a bookish girl who has to come to terms with changes in her family and friendships. It will be a familiar set-up to anyone who reads a lot in the category. There isn't really anything in it that will surprise those readers. but it may hit exactly the right sort of mark because of this familiarity and predictability. There is comfort in the known. These books aren't exactly my favorites, but I recognize that those who love these sorts of books will also love this one. It is deserving of it. One quibble I have is in the narrative voice. The narration is third person, but it is so limited to Flor and sounds so much like her that it is easy to slip into believing it's first. It happened to me. Then the narrator would refer to Flor in third person and it was so disruptive that it pulled me out of the story every time. Eventually it really started to annoy me and had me convinced it would have been so much better in first person.
I read an e-galley provided by the publisher, Balzer & Bray, via Edelweiss. Moonpenny Island goes on sale February 10.
Moonpenny Island by Tricia Springstubb is a book about family and friendship that is perfect for MG readers who enjoy quiet introspective reads.
Flor and Sylvie have lived on Moonpenny Island all of their lives and are the best of friends. Living on a small island in the middle of a great lake, the girls are really each other's only option for friends. The summer people come and they go and there are not that many island residences. But they have a deep and strong friendship bonded by more than just convenience. Everything is about to change for the girls as Sylvie is being sent to the mainland to live with her aunt and uncle so she has better opportunities at school. Flor is devastated. Before her world can right itself, Flor's mother then leaves to help take care of her sick mother. But is that just an excuse? Flor knows how bad things are between her parents. They are always fighting. Flor is determined nothing else in her world will change and focuses on keeping her teenage sister, who is acting odd, from doing anything stupid and leaving too. In the midst of all this turmoil, a geologist and his daughter come to the island and Flor discovers that it is possible to allow for new and different people into her heart and life.
Flor's story is one that many MG readers will be able to identify it. Despite the almost magical setting of the small island which most readers won't relate to, the other aspects of the story are universal. Flor's search for stability and her fierce opposition to change despite it being the best thing for those involved is one that will resonate. Readers who have ever feared their parents' separating or have experienced it will find much in this book to identify with. Anyone who has ever lost a friend to a move will likewise be able to understand and feel Flor's pain. I enjoyed the developing friendships Flor discovers once Sylvie leaves and the community of the small island. I think that Springstubb did a great job bringing all the characters to life and making the island feel real. I particularly enjoyed the the tension and relationship between Sylvie's older brother and everyone else on the island. There was a lot of nuance and depth to that whole storyline that is incredibly well done. Exactly enough to show the complexities of it, but without so much detail that it will confuse young readers.
Moonpenny Island is fairly typical realistic MG fiction. It's about a bookish girl who has to come to terms with changes in her family and friendships. It will be a familiar set-up to anyone who reads a lot in the category. There isn't really anything in it that will surprise those readers. but it may hit exactly the right sort of mark because of this familiarity and predictability. There is comfort in the known. These books aren't exactly my favorites, but I recognize that those who love these sorts of books will also love this one. It is deserving of it. One quibble I have is in the narrative voice. The narration is third person, but it is so limited to Flor and sounds so much like her that it is easy to slip into believing it's first. It happened to me. Then the narrator would refer to Flor in third person and it was so disruptive that it pulled me out of the story every time. Eventually it really started to annoy me and had me convinced it would have been so much better in first person.
I read an e-galley provided by the publisher, Balzer & Bray, via Edelweiss. Moonpenny Island goes on sale February 10.
April 23, 2015
A sweet book about growing up and learning to see others for who they really are.
Spoilers, written out so I remember what happens--
Her (Flor) mom leaves her family for awhile--her parents fight all the time.
Her older sister (Cecilia/Celie) is dating the trust fund kid who's very reckless. (Perry)
Perry and his dad have bad tempers and at one point shove his sister (Sylvie--also Flor's best friend) down the stairs, giving her bruises--but she doesn't tell for months.
Sylvie goes off to private school on the mainland and thrives; their friendship suffers but recovers.
Flor follows Celie and Perry to the quarry swimming hole one night and falls in; Perry rescues her. It's on a very stormy night; the power went out and Flor had a sweet time with her sister for a while.
Joe is Flor's friend at school whose dad is the maintenance man; their family is poor and doesn't have the best reputation but the teacher remembers the dad as a promising student and lets him fix the school clock.
The teacher always wears brown.
Jasper visits the islands with her dad to find trilobites (fossils)--she's pretty shy and scientific at first but eventually Flor and she become friends.
Flor's dad is the island's sheriff and he loves the island. Flor's mom--not so much.
Spoilers, written out so I remember what happens--
Her (Flor) mom leaves her family for awhile--her parents fight all the time.
Her older sister (Cecilia/Celie) is dating the trust fund kid who's very reckless. (Perry)
Perry and his dad have bad tempers and at one point shove his sister (Sylvie--also Flor's best friend) down the stairs, giving her bruises--but she doesn't tell for months.
Sylvie goes off to private school on the mainland and thrives; their friendship suffers but recovers.
Flor follows Celie and Perry to the quarry swimming hole one night and falls in; Perry rescues her. It's on a very stormy night; the power went out and Flor had a sweet time with her sister for a while.
Joe is Flor's friend at school whose dad is the maintenance man; their family is poor and doesn't have the best reputation but the teacher remembers the dad as a promising student and lets him fix the school clock.
The teacher always wears brown.
Jasper visits the islands with her dad to find trilobites (fossils)--she's pretty shy and scientific at first but eventually Flor and she become friends.
Flor's dad is the island's sheriff and he loves the island. Flor's mom--not so much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2015
Originally posted here at In the Senter of it All
I decided to move to Moonpenny Island in the first chapter. It’s a sweet little island that seems perfect. And then reality sets in.
This book is all about how hard life can be. It’s a good book, but not one that you want to rush back into.
Genre: Realistic
AR level: 4.2
Grade appropriate: 4th and up
RATING BREAKDOWN:
Overall: 2/5
Creativity: 2/5-- Life on the island made this story different from others like it. But it’s very much like other stories about tough life events.
Characters: 4/5-- very real, not always perfect, not always likeable, but very real.
Engrossing: 2/5-- This was not an easy book for me to finish. I loved it at first, but after a while there are just too many things going wrong. It was not a place I wanted to go if I had the choice of what to read.
Writing: 4/5
Appeal to kids: 2/5-- I think it’ll be a hard sell…
Appropriate length to tell the story: 4/5
CONTENT:
Language: none
Sexuality: none
Violence: mild-- Sylvie accidentally gets pushed down the stairs when her dad and brother are fighting.
Drugs/Alcohol: mild-- Sylvie’s mother has a drinking problem.
I decided to move to Moonpenny Island in the first chapter. It’s a sweet little island that seems perfect. And then reality sets in.
This book is all about how hard life can be. It’s a good book, but not one that you want to rush back into.
Genre: Realistic
AR level: 4.2
Grade appropriate: 4th and up
RATING BREAKDOWN:
Overall: 2/5
Creativity: 2/5-- Life on the island made this story different from others like it. But it’s very much like other stories about tough life events.
Characters: 4/5-- very real, not always perfect, not always likeable, but very real.
Engrossing: 2/5-- This was not an easy book for me to finish. I loved it at first, but after a while there are just too many things going wrong. It was not a place I wanted to go if I had the choice of what to read.
Writing: 4/5
Appeal to kids: 2/5-- I think it’ll be a hard sell…
Appropriate length to tell the story: 4/5
CONTENT:
Language: none
Sexuality: none
Violence: mild-- Sylvie accidentally gets pushed down the stairs when her dad and brother are fighting.
Drugs/Alcohol: mild-- Sylvie’s mother has a drinking problem.
April 18, 2016
Two best friends Flor and Sylvie grew up on Moonpenny Island and have spent every moment together. Summer ending, and a lot of change is going to occur. Family members start to change and leave behind their own family, partying and drinking comes into the lives of their loved ones, secrets start taking over family members, and worst of all the two girls get separated at the end of the summer. Being together through the thick and thin the two girls realize they will be best friends forever.
The narration of this book strongly shows the characteristics and thoughts of the two different girls that are the main characters. Being mature, it meets the theme of this book and fits it perfectly. There are issues in this book that need to be dealt with maturity and the book does a great job of it.
I would definitely use this book in my class to show my students the hardship that reality has in store for people and the different ways that people deal with it. These are real life situations so students need to understand that these situations could happen to them. This could also be a good read for students who have already experienced situations like these so that they have something to relate to.
The narration of this book strongly shows the characteristics and thoughts of the two different girls that are the main characters. Being mature, it meets the theme of this book and fits it perfectly. There are issues in this book that need to be dealt with maturity and the book does a great job of it.
I would definitely use this book in my class to show my students the hardship that reality has in store for people and the different ways that people deal with it. These are real life situations so students need to understand that these situations could happen to them. This could also be a good read for students who have already experienced situations like these so that they have something to relate to.
September 3, 2018
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✱ Goodbye Stranger
✱ The Vanishing Act
✱ Rooftoppers
✱ Courage for Beginners
✱ The Fourteenth Goldfish
✱ Counting Thyme
✱ Mo & Dale Mysteries series
✱ The Vanderbeekers series
✱ Goodbye Stranger
✱ The Vanishing Act
✱ Rooftoppers
✱ Courage for Beginners
✱ The Fourteenth Goldfish
✱ Counting Thyme
✱ Mo & Dale Mysteries series
✱ The Vanderbeekers series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews