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Where is/are...?
Where Is Easter Island?
Unearth the secrets of the mysterious giant stone statues on this tiny remote Pacific island.
Easter Island, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean thousands of miles from anywhere, has intrigued visitors since Europeans first arrived in the 1700s. How did people first come to live there? How did they build the enormous statues and why? How were they placed around the island without carts or even wheels? Scientists have learned many of the answers, although some things still remain a mystery. Megan Stine reveals it all in a gripping narrative.
This book, part of the New York Times best-selling series, is enhanced by eighty illustrations and a detachable fold-out map complete with four photographs on the back.
Easter Island, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean thousands of miles from anywhere, has intrigued visitors since Europeans first arrived in the 1700s. How did people first come to live there? How did they build the enormous statues and why? How were they placed around the island without carts or even wheels? Scientists have learned many of the answers, although some things still remain a mystery. Megan Stine reveals it all in a gripping narrative.
This book, part of the New York Times best-selling series, is enhanced by eighty illustrations and a detachable fold-out map complete with four photographs on the back.
112 pages, Paperback
Published September 12, 2017
39 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
About the author
Megan Stine
195 books57 followersMegan Stine is the Editor-in-Chief of Real U Guides and the author of more than 100 books for young readers including Trauma-Rama, an etiquette book for teenagers published by Seventeen magazine, and several titles in a series based on the popular 1990’s television series Party of Five. A frequent writer of books in the enormously popular Mary-Kate and Ashley series, she is the best-selling author of Likes Me, Likes Me Not and Instant Boyfriend. She has worked with CBS and ABC in developing comedy and drama television pilots, and has written comedy material for a well-known radio personality in New York.
When she isn’t writing, she is a portrait and fine art photographer and a contributing photographer for the Real U series of guides.
When she isn’t writing, she is a portrait and fine art photographer and a contributing photographer for the Real U series of guides.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 1, 2022
What a cute little book. I have always loved Easter Island and the stories of the Moai.
June 25, 2019
Interesting theories of 'walking' the statues by rocking them side to side with ropes.
See Lynne Kelly's Memory Code. Brilliant 'pre-text (or oral/aural) universities for tribes theory'. The Memory Code
See Lynne Kelly's Memory Code. Brilliant 'pre-text (or oral/aural) universities for tribes theory'. The Memory Code
July 29, 2019
Good
This is a bit sad. These islanders were doing just fine before a bunch of morons decided to land on their island and spread disease and be jerks.
This is a bit sad. These islanders were doing just fine before a bunch of morons decided to land on their island and spread disease and be jerks.
January 3, 2021
Yet another gem!
September 6, 2017
Solid basic background and up-to-date information about Easter Island for kids. As one would expect, this is not comprehensive--more of an introduction for those who don't know much and want to find out a little bit. As I count myself among this audience, I found it to be an interesting and worthwhile read. Do I get the feeling that it glosses over a variety of issues? Yes. But I still think that it introduces some good material for discussion about the impact that outsiders have had on the native population and environment over time. Ultimately, it makes you want to find out more, and I think that can only be a good thing for kids.
Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
July 4, 2023
An amazing read , I didn’t know about this island , so much to learn !
November 8, 2020
Easter Island is one of those places that I knew about, but didn't really know much about. What I did know about it were the Moai heads, but I really didn't know much of anything else. I doubt I would have even been able to guess where it was on a map. So I found this book rather interesting and informative.
I must say that the story of Easter Island is kind of sad. How the good environment of the island was destroyed by the islanders over time by over foresting and introduction of rats. It then continued as European explores found the island and did some pretty horrible things to the islanders over time.
I mean it's not all sad learning about the Moai statues and some of the cultural aspects of the island were really neat. Also the attempt to figure out how the Moai statues moved was nice too. I know we enjoyed watching the YouTube video on people walking the Moai statues as well. It is kind of amazing that you could move such large stones that way.
While I did find it very interesting to read, there are some things that are a bit mixed. The first chapter starts off talking about how Easter Island was given to the island by the first European visitor to the island. While I understand why the book opens up here, it may not set well with you. I image it is simply to introduce the name in order to have everyone understand what they're talking about, but it can also provide the impression that the history of Easter Island starts with this act.
The book quickly goes backwards and talks about the history of the island before this and makes up that lost ground, it just winds up being a bit of a awkward start to the book. It didn't really bother me too much, but it may bother others more.
Another mixed thing is how they treat the darker aspects of Easter Island's history. They present some harsh realities here, but also say things like the island women got syphilis from kissing the sailors. I mean I get why they're saying it, but it seems like it's not necessarily the best way of putting it either.
Regardless of these mixed aspects of the book, I personally found the book very informative and interesting even if it was kind of a sad history as well. I know that I learned a lot about an island and people I didn't really know too much about. Of course, this is a book geared for kids and is very introductory, but I know that my kids enjoyed it and I still learned stuff as well. So I'd recommend the book for people wanting to know more about Easter Island.
I must say that the story of Easter Island is kind of sad. How the good environment of the island was destroyed by the islanders over time by over foresting and introduction of rats. It then continued as European explores found the island and did some pretty horrible things to the islanders over time.
I mean it's not all sad learning about the Moai statues and some of the cultural aspects of the island were really neat. Also the attempt to figure out how the Moai statues moved was nice too. I know we enjoyed watching the YouTube video on people walking the Moai statues as well. It is kind of amazing that you could move such large stones that way.
While I did find it very interesting to read, there are some things that are a bit mixed. The first chapter starts off talking about how Easter Island was given to the island by the first European visitor to the island. While I understand why the book opens up here, it may not set well with you. I image it is simply to introduce the name in order to have everyone understand what they're talking about, but it can also provide the impression that the history of Easter Island starts with this act.
The book quickly goes backwards and talks about the history of the island before this and makes up that lost ground, it just winds up being a bit of a awkward start to the book. It didn't really bother me too much, but it may bother others more.
Another mixed thing is how they treat the darker aspects of Easter Island's history. They present some harsh realities here, but also say things like the island women got syphilis from kissing the sailors. I mean I get why they're saying it, but it seems like it's not necessarily the best way of putting it either.
Regardless of these mixed aspects of the book, I personally found the book very informative and interesting even if it was kind of a sad history as well. I know that I learned a lot about an island and people I didn't really know too much about. Of course, this is a book geared for kids and is very introductory, but I know that my kids enjoyed it and I still learned stuff as well. So I'd recommend the book for people wanting to know more about Easter Island.
August 7, 2019
I picked this up thinking it would serve as a good primer to share information with my much-too-young-for-this-book child, who is interested in Easter Island. (There are surprisingly few books about Easter Island out there, and absolutely none for young children!) For the most part, it does serve this purpose. The puzzling-out of exactly how the statues might have landed on their final resting place is incredibly fascinating and well-written, and it's mind-blowing how recently some of the theories have gained traction. (Videos of "walking moai" can become a VERY satisfying YouTube rabbit hole!)
I found the fact that the book opens with the first Europeans to visit the island a little problematic, as if the island's history began when white people got there. The book, to its credit, does not shy away from the actual effects of colonization on the island, and it does quickly backtrack to discuss the first human inhabitants, but there's a distinctly Eurocentric flavor to a lot of the storytelling that is a little off-putting.
Of course, this is written for middle-grade children in mind, and by necessity there are some topics that need to be handled delicately, but I do think some of the necessary sanitizing could have been handled a little more sensitively. I don't know exactly how best to frame what ACTUALLY happened for an audience of children, but I really don't think it's a good look to imply that the local women "kissed the Spaniards" and that's how they contracted syphilis.
Bottom line: I would never tell any parent not to let a child read a book, but I think there are definitely teachable moments here about storytelling and perspective, and I wouldn't just send them off to read it without examining it. At any rate, this book provides a good opportunity to check in with your kids about reading books with a critical eye. I'll be interested to check out a few more books in this series to see if that's generally true across the board.
I found the fact that the book opens with the first Europeans to visit the island a little problematic, as if the island's history began when white people got there. The book, to its credit, does not shy away from the actual effects of colonization on the island, and it does quickly backtrack to discuss the first human inhabitants, but there's a distinctly Eurocentric flavor to a lot of the storytelling that is a little off-putting.
Of course, this is written for middle-grade children in mind, and by necessity there are some topics that need to be handled delicately, but I do think some of the necessary sanitizing could have been handled a little more sensitively. I don't know exactly how best to frame what ACTUALLY happened for an audience of children, but I really don't think it's a good look to imply that the local women "kissed the Spaniards" and that's how they contracted syphilis.
Bottom line: I would never tell any parent not to let a child read a book, but I think there are definitely teachable moments here about storytelling and perspective, and I wouldn't just send them off to read it without examining it. At any rate, this book provides a good opportunity to check in with your kids about reading books with a critical eye. I'll be interested to check out a few more books in this series to see if that's generally true across the board.
May 22, 2018
I knew Easter Island was the place with all the big statues 🗿 but I didn’t know any of the history.
*EI was settled by Polynesians 1,000 years ago. It’s amazing they even made it to this little island in the middle of nowhere.
*They used ingenious methods of farming to keep the soil moist, such as planting in rock circles and putting stones over the soil. When it rained the rocks would keep the moisture in and minerals would run off the rocks.
*Statues were believed to be built to honor ancestors.
*Like other native peoples, the Europeans killed most of them unwittingly through the disease, many were also taken as slaves.
*A female anthropologist studied the island in the early 1900s and brought positive attention to the plight of the natives.
*Statues were “walked” into place using ropes and the “refrigerator method.”
*EI was settled by Polynesians 1,000 years ago. It’s amazing they even made it to this little island in the middle of nowhere.
*They used ingenious methods of farming to keep the soil moist, such as planting in rock circles and putting stones over the soil. When it rained the rocks would keep the moisture in and minerals would run off the rocks.
*Statues were believed to be built to honor ancestors.
*Like other native peoples, the Europeans killed most of them unwittingly through the disease, many were also taken as slaves.
*A female anthropologist studied the island in the early 1900s and brought positive attention to the plight of the natives.
*Statues were “walked” into place using ropes and the “refrigerator method.”
April 22, 2019
Easter reading:
Easter Sunday 1722, Dutch commander Jacob Roggeveen and his crew spotted land in the South Pacific after sailing for more than 8 months. The land was known to its native people as Rapa Nui, but has been called Easter Island since the day he arrived.
That was the beginning of suffering and hardship for the native people of the island, brought on by "civilized man," which continued for the next 200 years.
This book describes that history, as well as how the island came to be populated in the first place, and tells about the famous statues of the island, how they were made and how they were moved.
Topics explored include the spread of disease and slavery.
Very informative if you are looking to expand your knowledge on the history and existence of Easter Island.
Easter Sunday 1722, Dutch commander Jacob Roggeveen and his crew spotted land in the South Pacific after sailing for more than 8 months. The land was known to its native people as Rapa Nui, but has been called Easter Island since the day he arrived.
That was the beginning of suffering and hardship for the native people of the island, brought on by "civilized man," which continued for the next 200 years.
This book describes that history, as well as how the island came to be populated in the first place, and tells about the famous statues of the island, how they were made and how they were moved.
Topics explored include the spread of disease and slavery.
Very informative if you are looking to expand your knowledge on the history and existence of Easter Island.
January 10, 2020
If you have heard of Easter Island or have some idea of what it is (hint: giant stone heads and statues), congratulations! If you know where it is, you'll move to the top of the class. Author Megan Stine with her book Where Is Easter Island wants you to know much more than that, including why is it called Easter Island, who made all of the giant statues, and how did they move them all over the island? She provides all of that and much more as she looks at the history of the island before and after Europeans arrived in the 1700's as well as what is currently known about the original inhabitants of the island like where they came from and how did they travel there. Another short but fact-filled and fascinating read from the New York Times best-selling series.
May 1, 2020
Read through this book because I've been to Rapa Nui, which is what the natives call it, and spent five days with the island historian touring and learning about the island's history and culture. For the most part, the book does agree with what I learned. The illustrations were excellent, with the exception of the cover, which does not accurately represent a moai (what's up with the skinny neck?)
November 14, 2021
An interesting, but sad story, about the indigenous people of Easter Island and how they were treated by the different European explorers, missionaries and businessmen who arrived on the island. It’s unfortunate because their culture was rich before their devastation. Very similar to the fate of the natives in North American.
January 12, 2022
A 6th grader wanted to read more of this series which we'd never had in the library. I ordered a set and they are flying off the shelf. Had to read one to understand the appeal. Black and white illustrations are not attractive but the 110 pages separated into 8 chapters IS appealing to my reluctant MS readers.
February 8, 2022
the statues on Easter Island (or Rapa Nui) truly are incredible:
I just find it incredibly sad at what cost these statues were discovered. A peaceful people were treated very cruelly, even sold into slavery. it's definitely a sobering thought. 😟
I just find it incredibly sad at what cost these statues were discovered. A peaceful people were treated very cruelly, even sold into slavery. it's definitely a sobering thought. 😟
June 23, 2023
I thought was amazing because I like facts and social studies and together it is a perfect match for me.
I learned that it was very isolated so I was happy that I didn't have to go to Easter Island and take a ton of notes. I was also happy that I didn't have to go through all the misery the Rapu Nui people had to go through such as, loss of family,and being taken as slaves or prisoners.
I learned that it was very isolated so I was happy that I didn't have to go to Easter Island and take a ton of notes. I was also happy that I didn't have to go through all the misery the Rapu Nui people had to go through such as, loss of family,and being taken as slaves or prisoners.
February 25, 2020
Very interesting subject told briefly. Perfect for a quick read-aloud to my sixth grader. I like that the book mentioned both a documentary and a YouTube video related to the subject, which enhanced our learning.
June 18, 2018
What a great book with a lot of really interesting details about a place that is now on my bucket list.
August 29, 2019
I had no idea about the history behind Easter Island.
November 8, 2020
A good read about the history of Easter Island and a reflection of the misery brought by Europeans!
January 13, 2021
A great read about the history of Easter Island!
January 23, 2021
This was really interesting to read! I enjoyed learning more about Easter Island (Rapa Nui).
February 25, 2021
I really enjoyed this one as it has a lot of information packed in its 105 pages. I highly recommend this if you or your students are interested in learning more about Easter Island.
August 30, 2021
I love the history of this island and how it was found. I love how they found the strange statues on the island. Hope to visit this place someday.
October 21, 2021
So fascinating. I knew none of this and it goes a lot of information in a lot of different categories.
January 16, 2023
I actually learned a lot from this one!
March 28, 2024
Library borrow
June 5, 2024
Read aloud to my son after he picked it out. Very interesting!
August 4, 2024
Really enjoyed this informative quick read.
December 8, 2024
واقعا دلم به حال اهالی این جزیره سوخت. چقدر در حقشون ظلم شد در طول تاریخ
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews