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Sin Bin Island - A FINANCIAL TIMES Children's Book of the Year from RED DWARF co-creator Doug Naylor
DETENTION JUST GOT DANGEROUS!
When Jack Digby is sent to Cyril Sniggs's Correctional Orphanage for Wayward Boys and Girls, he doesn't expect lessons in how to fire cannons and fend off pirate attacks. But perhaps he should, as the school, some say, was founded by a pirate.
Even stranger, at the end of each year, the four worst-behaved pupils are banished to the terrifying Sin Bin Island, where they must survive for a week. Legend has it, the island was once used to smuggle magic onto the mainland, but in over 300 years the magic has never been found.
Until now . . .
Book one of this highly anticipated series, with illustrations by Nik Afia.
When Jack Digby is sent to Cyril Sniggs's Correctional Orphanage for Wayward Boys and Girls, he doesn't expect lessons in how to fire cannons and fend off pirate attacks. But perhaps he should, as the school, some say, was founded by a pirate.
Even stranger, at the end of each year, the four worst-behaved pupils are banished to the terrifying Sin Bin Island, where they must survive for a week. Legend has it, the island was once used to smuggle magic onto the mainland, but in over 300 years the magic has never been found.
Until now . . .
Book one of this highly anticipated series, with illustrations by Nik Afia.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 11, 2025
About the author
Doug Naylor
19 books86 followersDouglas R. Naylor is a British comedy writer, science fiction writer, director and television producer. He is best known as half of the writing team of the lnog-running BBC sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf (1988-2009), which is a worldwide cult hit.
Naylor was born in Manchester, England and studied at the University of Liverpool. In the mid-1980s, Naylor wrote two regular comedy sketch shows for BBC Radio 4 entitled Cliché and Son of Cliché. These sketch shows were scripted by Naylor along with another writer, Rob Grant. This writing partnership was successful with Naylor and Grant going on to co-write and produce numerous BBC television series throughout the 1980s and 1990s. These included programmes such as Comic Relief, Spitting Image, and The 10 Percenters.
The collaborations between Grant and Naylor have often used the pseudonym Grant Naylor. This collaboration is today best remembered for the creation of the British science fiction comedy television series, Red Dwarf (their earlier radio sketch shows formed the basis for the show; Chris Barrie starred in both those and Red Dwarf).
However sometime between the airing of sixth series of Red Dwarf in 1993, and the writing of the seventh series in 1996, Rob Grant ended his partnership with Naylor after revealing he was tired of it and of his intentions to quit and pursue other projects. The pair announced their professional split and cited creative and professional differences, along with Grant's desire to move onto new shows.However sometime between the airing of sixth series of Red Dwarf in 1993, and the writing of the seventh series in 1996, Rob Grant ended his partnership with Naylor after revealing he was tired of it and of his intentions to quit and pursue other projects. The pair announced their professional split and cited creative and professional differences, along with Grant's desire to move onto new shows.
As of 2007, Naylor and Grant Naylor Productions are primarily focused on the production of the DVD releases of Red Dwarf and the postulated and much-hoped-for movie. In 2008 it was announced by Grant Naylor Productions that Red Dwarf would return to TV screens in the form of four half hour specials for the digital channel Dave. The episodes were broadcast over the Easter weekend, 2009, and comprising a three-part special (20 minutes each), Back to Earth, and a behind-the-scenes "Making of" Back to Earth. Naylor wrote the scripts for the three new episodes and also directed them. Back to Earth received record ratings for freeview channel Dave. As of April 2011, Doug Naylor has been commissioned to write a new 6 episode series of Red Dwarf (working title Red Dwarf X). It is not yet known which characters, aside from the main 4, will return or whether it will resolve the cliffhanger at the end of series 8 or be a follow on or prequel to Back to Earth. The show starts filming in November 2011 with a probably 2012 release.
Writes under the name Grant Naylor when collaborating with Rob Grant.
Naylor was born in Manchester, England and studied at the University of Liverpool. In the mid-1980s, Naylor wrote two regular comedy sketch shows for BBC Radio 4 entitled Cliché and Son of Cliché. These sketch shows were scripted by Naylor along with another writer, Rob Grant. This writing partnership was successful with Naylor and Grant going on to co-write and produce numerous BBC television series throughout the 1980s and 1990s. These included programmes such as Comic Relief, Spitting Image, and The 10 Percenters.
The collaborations between Grant and Naylor have often used the pseudonym Grant Naylor. This collaboration is today best remembered for the creation of the British science fiction comedy television series, Red Dwarf (their earlier radio sketch shows formed the basis for the show; Chris Barrie starred in both those and Red Dwarf).
However sometime between the airing of sixth series of Red Dwarf in 1993, and the writing of the seventh series in 1996, Rob Grant ended his partnership with Naylor after revealing he was tired of it and of his intentions to quit and pursue other projects. The pair announced their professional split and cited creative and professional differences, along with Grant's desire to move onto new shows.However sometime between the airing of sixth series of Red Dwarf in 1993, and the writing of the seventh series in 1996, Rob Grant ended his partnership with Naylor after revealing he was tired of it and of his intentions to quit and pursue other projects. The pair announced their professional split and cited creative and professional differences, along with Grant's desire to move onto new shows.
As of 2007, Naylor and Grant Naylor Productions are primarily focused on the production of the DVD releases of Red Dwarf and the postulated and much-hoped-for movie. In 2008 it was announced by Grant Naylor Productions that Red Dwarf would return to TV screens in the form of four half hour specials for the digital channel Dave. The episodes were broadcast over the Easter weekend, 2009, and comprising a three-part special (20 minutes each), Back to Earth, and a behind-the-scenes "Making of" Back to Earth. Naylor wrote the scripts for the three new episodes and also directed them. Back to Earth received record ratings for freeview channel Dave. As of April 2011, Doug Naylor has been commissioned to write a new 6 episode series of Red Dwarf (working title Red Dwarf X). It is not yet known which characters, aside from the main 4, will return or whether it will resolve the cliffhanger at the end of series 8 or be a follow on or prequel to Back to Earth. The show starts filming in November 2011 with a probably 2012 release.
Writes under the name Grant Naylor when collaborating with Rob Grant.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 10, 2025
This is writeen by the creator and writer of my favourite ever TV show (Red Dwarf) and thus is the reason why I picked it up. It is his middle-grade debut and is a fantasy adventure tale that gave me vibes of 'Harry Potter' and 'The Goonies'. It had a lot of heart and was subtly packed full of facts and life lessons. The only negative I have is, it's a bit too long. The middle of the book felt padded out with similar scenes that didn't need to be there bulking it out to be 400 pages. I was excited to see that this is going to be a series and eagry anticipate the next instalment.
December 23, 2025
When Jack Digby is sent to Cyril Sniggs’s Correctional Orphanage for Wayward Boys and Girls, the adventure begins. This is a brilliant story that reminded me of the adventure books I used to read in my teens, with a touch of Famous Five–style vibes that felt wonderfully nostalgic and comforting.
I loved the way that, even in such a hostile atmosphere, there is a strong story of friendship, shared accomplishments, and teamwork. Founded by pirates, the school teaches lessons in firing cannons and fending off pirate attacks—certainly not the sort of education Jack is used to.
This book is really split into two parts: the first focuses on building friendships and exploring the school and its secrets, while the second takes us to Sin Bin Island itself. Both parts are equally enjoyable.
I really loved this book and can’t wait to read the next one. I hope it transports me back to childhood again, just as this one did.
I loved the way that, even in such a hostile atmosphere, there is a strong story of friendship, shared accomplishments, and teamwork. Founded by pirates, the school teaches lessons in firing cannons and fending off pirate attacks—certainly not the sort of education Jack is used to.
This book is really split into two parts: the first focuses on building friendships and exploring the school and its secrets, while the second takes us to Sin Bin Island itself. Both parts are equally enjoyable.
I really loved this book and can’t wait to read the next one. I hope it transports me back to childhood again, just as this one did.
April 12, 2026
I really enjoyed Sinbin Island by Doug Naylor. It takes the familiar idea of school punishment and turns it into a wild, imaginative adventure.
A group of misfit children are sent to a mysterious island, but this is no ordinary detention. Things quickly become strange, chaotic, and often very funny. The humour is sharp and slightly absurd, which makes sense given Naylor’s background, but it never loses sight of the characters.
What works well is the balance between comedy and story. Beneath the laughs, there is a thread of friendship, resilience, and learning to work together in difficult situations. The pacing keeps things moving, and it is an easy, engaging read.
A fun and original children’s adventure that blends humour with just enough heart to keep you invested.
A group of misfit children are sent to a mysterious island, but this is no ordinary detention. Things quickly become strange, chaotic, and often very funny. The humour is sharp and slightly absurd, which makes sense given Naylor’s background, but it never loses sight of the characters.
What works well is the balance between comedy and story. Beneath the laughs, there is a thread of friendship, resilience, and learning to work together in difficult situations. The pacing keeps things moving, and it is an easy, engaging read.
A fun and original children’s adventure that blends humour with just enough heart to keep you invested.
November 5, 2025
i liked it but it feels like a children's book that is written for adults. Firstly at 400 pages the book is far far too long, it also has to many ideas that will fly over the heads of young people. it is roughly split into two halves that could or more realistically, should both be books in their own right. At times it feels like Naylor is writing by throwing ideas up in the air and seeing what order it all falls down in. i enjoyed the book, its funny in places but i can't see many kids reading it because its too long, too complicated and there is too much going on.
April 19, 2026
Fab book for kids (and kids at heart). I read this as a big Red Dwarf fan and was happy to see the same style of humour in this book. As others have said there’s a bit of a Famous Five / Harry Potter vibe but it’s also very original. Lots of adventure and magic but also sensitively dealt with more serious themes like handling grief. Hope this becomes as popular as it deserves to be!
October 24, 2025
Top class. Dramatic, mysterious and funny! My nephew half way through and seems to be loving it too. Great book!
February 10, 2026
Funny, full of friendship, adventure and perils
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews