The Unnameables

by Ellen Booraem

Medford lives on a neat, orderly island called—simply—Island.      Islanders like names that say exactly what a thing (or a person) is or does. Nothing less.      Islanders like things (and people) to do what their names say they will. Nothing more.      In fact, everything on Island is named for its purpose, even the people who inhabit it. But Medford Runyuin is different. A foundling, he has a meaningless last name that is just one of many reminders that he's an outsider. And, to make matters worse, Medford's been keeping a big secret, one that could get him banished from Island forever.     When the smelliest, strangest, unruliest creature Island has ever seen comes barreling right into his rigid world, Medford can’t help but start to question the rules he’s been trying to follow his entire life.     A whimsical fantasy debut about belonging, the dangers of forgetting history, and the Usefulness of art,  The Unnameables  is one of the funniest stories of friendship you’ll ever read, with a cast of characters you’ll never forget.  

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Middle Grade, Teen, Childrens, Young Adult Fantasy

318 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

A former small-town newspaper reporter and editor, Ellen Booraem is the author of three fantasies for ages 10 and up: TEXTING THE UNDERWORLD (Penguin/Dial Books for Young Readers, 2013) SMALL PERSONS WITH WINGS (Penguin/Dial, 2011) and THE UNNAMEABLES (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Books, 2008).

SMALL PERSONS has received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, and Kirkus Reviews. THE UNNAMEABLES was listed on ALA Best Books for Young Adults 2010 and the Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Books of 2008.

Ellen lives in Downeast Maine with a cat, a dog, and an artist, in a house they (meaning the humans) built with their own hands.

Reviews

[Sesana · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a baby, Medford Runyuin was shipwrecked on Island, where everything is named after its use and everything must have a use. Anything that does not is Unnameable, and should be destroyed. And anyone that makes or does Unnameable things should be banished. This is of particular concern to Runyuin, who has been secretly carving beautiful, Unnameable objects.

The best advice that I can give in reading this book is to avoid thinking about the setting much. Booraem had a good idea (a society where anybody who doesn't do useful work is banished) and ran with it into the implausible. Everything on Island is named after its use, so a cow is now called a Greater Horned Milk Creature. But I just can't see how Greater Horned Milk Creature is a more useful name than cow. This is aside from the fact that, though these names have been used for generations, people are still constantly having to correct each other. I'm sure it's because Booraem didn't want to confuse her audience with too many of these alternate names, but at this point it shouldn't even be necessary.

The motivation for the entire island going about this restrictive way isn't properly explained. They're following a book of household advice, written in the 1700s. And this lasts for three centuries. I never quite got the leap from finding the book quite useful to treating it as sacred writ. It's a cult, but an entirely non-religious. Yes, this entire community is governing every aspect of their lives by what they find in a 300 year old almanac, because they just do. I guess Booraem wanted to take religion out of the equation, but she left a motive vaccum in its place.

The moral (that people should be encouraged to exercise their creativity) and concept (society that rejects creativity as a career) are sound enough, but Booraem sure took the long way around. The pacing is very, very slow. Shockingly so, considering that this is being marketed at 9-12 year old readers. The first 70 pages are nothing but exposition and infodump, and the next 100 pages are almost painfully slow. The (lack of) action could have been greatly condensed, especially since there was so much repetition.

Unfortunately, the resolution was too quick, done mostly by characters who'd done little or nothing to that point and so have no motives for what they do. Booraem should have cut a few conversations that revolved around whether it was a chicken or an Egg Fowl and spent more time developing her characters.

[Roxanne Hsu Feldman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an allegory that works on many levels, made rich with well-portrayed and multi-faceted characters. Which, I guess, renders it not a true allegory since the characters are not all confined to single traits or symbolic equivalents. At the very beginning, I was dubious: thinking that the symbolism and "names" are all too transparent and too easy to predict. And yet, with the blusterous arrival of the Goatman and then all the tangential but significant side trails and events, the story drew me in and kept me highly interested and entertained. I bated my breath, hoping for a satisfying and well paced ending, and was not let down.

I very much appreciate the rich imagery, the successful world-building, and the economy of the text -- also its gentle humor in the friendly way these simple folks behave. I'm also so pleased that the Unnameable acts (what one might easily interpret as "art" or "craft") are given a made-up name of "runyuin" (which has the word "ruin" embedded -- I wonder if this is even intentional) so that the interpretations can be surprising from minds not as set as mine. I can see how this book might be of great use in a 4th-6th grade classroom since it is both well-crafted and can generate good conversations!

p. 186: Medford was conscious first of a deadness in the air. His hearing seemed to have dulled, as if something were soaking up the sound. He knew, suddenly, that he was in the presence of paper, a great deal of paper.

Or on p. 226, while Boyce "interrogating" the young people why Medford is out of jail and what they are doing at 2 in the morning, and finding out that the Goatman is also present, he said, "Let's make tea."

[Kate Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

RL 690. On the Island of Names, every thing and every person has its place. People are named after their professions (potters, learneds, carpenters, smiths, etc.) and objects are named for their use (horned milk creatures--cows). Anything without a use is disregarded and unnamed. Use is the most important reason for existence, and therefore spending time looking at useless items or creating them comes with harsh punishment--banishment.

So is the story of Medford Runyuin. He was not born on the island. His name means nothing. He does his best trying to fit in, hoping to adopt his foster father's craft of carpentry. But sometimes when he's carving he makes ornate sculptures. Useless, Unnameable things...

[Maddie Desfosses · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got to meet the author. She's from Maine and came to my school book club!!

[Aralia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, not great. Clear, a little overbearing method. *SPOILERS*

the beginning messed me up because the setting is like Puritans in modern times, but isolated. Also, I didn't like how Medford was sometimes spelled Med-ford, but not consistently.

Overall a cute, quick read.

[Wina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this middle grade fantasy! Ages 9-14, this book has great characters, an exciting adventure, an interesting take on puritanism, and a goat man. So good.

[Mariah Oleszkowicz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some things aren't useful and that's ok. Beauty has purpose too.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Medford Runyuin lives on an island called Island. Everything and everyone who lives on Island is named for their purpose. Everyone except Medford. Medford, a foundling from Mainland whose parents died at sea, is saddled with a meaningless name, yet another reminder that he doesn’t fit in. To make matters worse, Medford is hiding a secret. It a secret so deep and terrible that he can’t tell anyone—not his foster father Boyce Carver, not his best friend Prudy Carpenter.

On Island, the things that are valued are Useful things. Things without a purpose are useless, and therefore nameless. And if anyone knew that Medford was spending time making Unnameable things—he would be exiled from Island, the only home he has ever known.

But something is about to change for Medford and the people of Island. There is someone coming to Island, and he is going to expose Medford’s secret. And when he is done, nothing and no one on Island will ever be the same again.

One of the things I love about this book is the fact that Unnameable items aren’t considered bad because of some long-lost superstition or ridiculousness that makes it hard to take these people seriously. The people of Island consider useless items bad because making them takes time away from making items that their town desperately needs to survive and thrive. If you waste your time on something that is not essential, you are endangering the town. It makes sense, and I like that.

Of course, that can never be the bottom line, and like all good books, this one turns Island’s traditions on its head.

The other thing I love about this book is the humor. It has a sweet sly humor that peeks out at the most unexpected of times—quite like real life, actually. There are moments in this book that made me laugh out loud—things I couldn’t really explain, because the reason they were so funny was built up on everything that had happened in the book so far. There’s a good humor and a good nature to this book that’s welcoming and comforting and a joy to read.

And then there’s Medford and his Goatman, who are unforgettable.

I won’t try to make sense of the Goatman. Or the time period where this book is meant to take place. In some ways it reminds me of Ember a teeny-tiny bit, a society set off from time and the modern world, living on their own, their traditions warped and changed by isolation.

I enjoyed this book so very much. What it has to say about the importance and value of art, and friendship and following your heart—it’s all important to hear. But more importantly, it’s a joy to read.

[Word Revel · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the beginning I felt that the style of writing was kinda dry and the pace at which the narration was set up was unyieldingly slow. After reading on though, I thought that it was a smart choice on Ellen Booraem's part. Introducing the setting and the characters before delving into the plot allowed for a greater appreciation and understanding of what was happening.

The reason I loved this novel were the way the themes were explored while bringing alive this rather mystical world with a historical feel. Everything takes place on an island called Island. Not just the island is named for what it is though. The people are named according to what they do — Boyce Carver, Twig Carpenter, Deemer Learned, etc. — and objects too have been renamed to better describe their purpose. Only Medford Runyuin, a foundling, does not have a proper name in their culture. Things that have no purpose and are thus superfluous are referred to as useless at best. Things which are useless and are said to bring harm upon the Islanders are referred to as unnameables.

As the novel unfolds, questions unfurl about the use of language and how it shapes a culture, the purpose of work, the need for history and the place of aesthetics in every life. Beyond these themes which tie everything together, power and politics also are explored at a village level. What happens when people oppose those who are in power? And how does one deal with foreigners who are vastly different, like the Goatman who visits the Island and wreaks havoc with the winds?

While reading the book, I was decidedly fascinated by the exploration of all these themes. The plot was elaborate enough to keep a reader going but it the questions that arouse about things we take for granted in our daily lives which made it something other than just another 3-star book that whiles away the time. This was especially because Booraem managed to balance characterization, plot and metaphysics such that all were developed throughout the book. Perhaps part of the appeal I found in this book also has something to do with being a sociology major. Either way, I would recommend it to anyone in a heartbeat because I thought it was a charmingly thought-provoking read.

[Jacki · Rating 2 out of 5]

The cute plot of The Unnameables is weighed down by its slow start. Allow me to summarize the first 68 pages: A "goatman" (satyr-like creature) is in a boat, but let's leave him to spend 66 pages explaining the dull coming-of-age rituals of a small island community that holds to the puritanical view that only utilitarian objects and people should exist. Excessive time is given to characters correcting each other: Chickens aren't chickens, thank you, they are Egg Fowl, and goats are Lesser Horned Milk Creatures while cows are Greater Horned Milk Creatures. Calling a cow "a cow" breaks with the names given in the community's guidebook and will bring about the downfall of civilization.

While I felt like this book was a condemnation of strict, literal religious practices, the people in it aren't religious. They simply adhere to their joyless way of life because their ancestors allegedly wanted it that way.

The action finally starts when the goatman reaches the island. He's a goofy, harmless character, and the story stays fairly charming for a while as he and the hero get to know one another. Eventually, though, trouble finds them, and they plus two of the hero's friends wind up running all over the island and eventually turning the community's beliefs upside-down with the discovery of secret documents.

The plot is, as it sounds, quite convoluted, and the characters are extremely two-dimensional. I'm not sure why this book landed on a YA book list, either, since the cover clearly states it is for a younger age group. I would say younger middle schoolers might find this story more interesting than teens.

Recommend to: Ages 10-13, fantasy fans

Don't recommend to: High level readers, anyone from the Mayflower

[Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Unnameables, the debut novel by small-town reporter and editor Ellen Booraem, is intended for readers aged 11 to 13. The novel takes place on an island whose social structure is guided by the principles of utility and stability to the exclusion of all else. The people are named after their trades (Carpenter, Tanner, Carver, etc.) and are led, or supervised, by a council of 'Learneds' who are the keepers of the texts that guide all social and political decisions on the island.

There are a number of interconnected themes: individuality and social good, utility and art, authority and evidence. We are meant to imagine a world in which art, music, and poetry play no part - a world in which the imagination is suppressed. It is a world that is ruled by 'the Book' - that is, a world in which traditional authority takes precedence over all else.

It's all a bit heavy-handed. It may be that the author thinks that ideas have to be delivered to pre-teens with a sledge hammer; that subtlety would be lost on the 12 year old mind. She may be right, but the result is a novel that reads in places like an inverted medieval morality play.

One of the key characters in this novel is the 'Goatman'. He is literally a half human half goat, a kind of dottering and hapless satyr. Maybe magic or unusual creatures are de rigeur for juvenile fiction; I don't know.

Despite its flaws, after the first 50 pages the story picks up speed, and I found myself wondering how the plot would unfold. That's often the best we can hope for in any novel.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
This story takes place on a small island where the population lives in a strictly controlled, puritanical society masquerading as a utopia. Uniformity is essential to the stability of this society. Only Useful items and tasks are allowed. Creativity and change is not only frowned upon, but can be punished with banishment to the Mainland.

With all the thou’s , thee’s, ye’s, and wouldst’s , this book feels as if it were written about colonial New England, but quotations from islander journals slowly reveal that the setting is contemporary and that Mainlanders live a modern life. Islanders have chosen to remain true to the rules/teachings of their founders, which has left their repressive society essentially unchanged for 300 years.

But all is not well on the island. Unrest bubbles just beneath the surface of this controlled society. The introduction of a quirky satyr character signals change and also introduces a comedic aspect to the novel. (But what is the reason for using this mythological character? Couldn’t any “outsider” have worked to upset the balance on the island? Still thinking about this…)

Not difficult to read, though it took some effort to make the leap into this “utopia”. I think the book would work best for the mature gr. 6+ reader willing to think about the philosophic questions the book presents. Readers of The Giver might like this novel, though it is not as strong.

Despite glowing reviews, not my favorite book. (Why does this so often happens when I read fantasy/sci fi????? Could it be me? :) )

[Rachel Lehman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Medford Runyuin lives on a small Island called, just that Island. No one on the Island is allowed to call things by any name other than its use. If it has no use it has no name. Medford wants to appreciate the finer things in life but it is strictly forbidden. The Island is not a great place but it is better than nothing. Then one day the goat man comes to Island. The goat man disturbs the peace with his impracticality and frivolousness. The Island is changed but not nearly as much as Medford.

This book is full of run on sentences and incorrect grammar. The plot is flat and uninteresting, the use of the and thou is totally wrong, and the characters were less than flat. I hated this book, it was not something i would even read to my children. The more i read the more annoyed i got. Not only was the created world boring and annoying, but the actual structure of the writing and sentences were horrific and aggravating. I was wondering weather this book even had an editor.

I would never use this book in my classroom. I feel that this book would have an adverse effect on my students. Instead of teaching a lesson on any theme this book would simply show them that poor grammar and bade spelling is ok, that run on sentences are publishable, and that there teacher is telling them to use proper grammar and choosing books that seem not to care. No offense to the author but i would not even recommend this book as something for my students to read.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very fun - a Young Adult book that certainly felt young adult in terms of vocabulary, but which spooled out an incredibly absorbing, well-developed plot.

Medford Runyuin lives on Island, a place where everyone has a Name, and their Name describes what they do. They might be Shepherds, or Bakers, or Sawyers, but they do what their name suggests, and their work is Useful. It's a crime to do things that have no Use, and therefore have no Name - Unnameables are the worst things a person can think, do, or say.

Yet this leaves no room for curiosity, creativity, or delight, and Medford finds himself chafing against the rules of the community. He's helped in that by the appearance of the Goat Man (a name Medford gives him) and after that, all manner of disruption breaks lose.

The book's a wonderful meditation on the idea that creativity is central to who human beings are, and that art, music, laughter, and leisure are as important as work. There's also much here about history and religion, not to mention the foolishness of believing what's written in a Book - I wonder if Booraem means this to read as such a condemnation of organized religion, or if that's my perspective transforming the work? Either way, a glorious little thoughtful diversion.

I'm perplexed by the Goat Man, though. Was it really necessary for him to show up? I'm not sure it was. Hmm.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Rebecca Wells for TeensReadToo.com

On the Island, everything has a name and a place, and if it doesn't, it should. Those things that don't fit into a category, that don't have a purpose, are the Unnameables, and are, by definition, suspect.

Medford Runyuin is dangerously close to being an Unnameable himself. While his fellow Islanders have practical names like Learned and Tanner, which correspond to their professions, his name means nothing at all. He is a foundling, washed ashore in infancy alongside his dead parents.

Medford has always been different. Though his foster father is a carpenter, and he has learned to create Named objects that serve a purpose, he also has a secret. While in the privacy of his workshop, he has carved Useless things, things that serve no purpose, and this is an offense that could result in banishment.

It takes the arrival of a mysterious stranger to the Island to make Medford realize that not all is as it seems on the stodgy Name-heavy Island - and that he is not the only one with secrets and hidden discontent.

Ellen Booraem presents a gem of a tale in THE UNNAMEABLES. The characters are genuine and heartfelt, and the story trips along in a delightful and thought-provoking way. While the book certainly carries a message, it is presented in a lighthearted manner, combining seriousness and humor as it progresses onward.

Readers who enjoyed tales like THE GIVER will fall in love with THE UNNAMEABLES.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book about a year ago, when the author (along with several other YA fantasy authors) visited my local bookstore. Much to my shame, this is the first of the batch of 6 or 7 books from that signing that I've read...

Medford Runyuin is the adopted son of a Carver. He lives on an island where everyone is named after their Use, and is constantly reminded that his name means nothing. After Essence Learned is forced into exile under mysterious circumstances, Medford's friend Prudy is forced into becoming a Learned and helping to teach the younger children at school. So Medford is spending more time alone, and doing the Unnameable carvings that he loves but knows he can never show the world.

Then the Goatman shows up, able to direct the winds. His presence makes Medford realize there is much more to the world than the higher-ups on the Island have led him to believe.

This was a fun read. Medford is a relatable character, and most of the other characters feel very real. Well, the Goatman is a fantastical creature, but he's a lot of fun and certainly behaves in the way a Goatman should. Just enough of the Island's mystery was doled out to keep my interest. All in all, it's a fun book that many kids would enjoy.

My signed copy is inscribed, "To Katie - Bweh-eh-eh!" (a common utterance of the Goatman).

[Deva Fagan]

I've been trying to write down my thoughts on this book for some time, and failing. It's not because I didn't enjoy the book -- in fact quite the opposite. But it's a very different book from any other I've read. It's a fantasy, yes, with the wonderful character of the Goatman popping his horned head into the scene, summoning up his winds and wreaking change in the world of Medford Runyuin. But it's quirky, and philosophical, and oddly old-fashioned (in a good way, in a classic way, even).

My favorite thing about this book is the setting itself, and the themes and questions that are explored: What is the value of work? What is useful? Is anything truly useless? These are important questions to ask, and I fully enjoyed seeing them play out on the landscape of the Island. I furthermore appreciated that the Traditions of the Island, while in some respects the "enemy" of the narrative, are not depicted as entirely bad. There is plenty to admire and respect in the way of life embraced by the Islanders, though as a reader I feel for Medford's plight, as his creative impulses urge him to do what is forbidden.

This is a book that may demand a certain attentiveness while reading, but the right reader will find a rewarding tale of tradition and creativity.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Unnameables takes place on "The Island." The society there was founded in the eighteenth century, thirty miles off the coast of "The Mainland," and is something of a cross between Puritan and Amish cultures. The people settled there to deliberately set themselves apart and live out their own egalitarian values in their own sheltered community. Those values have developed and morphed over time, but only slightly so, as the people are suspicious of any change and of most technology. Central to their belief system are the twin ideas of Use and Name: only Useful items and activities are worthwhile and deserve a Name; everything else is Unnamed, and those who embrace the Unnameable are cast off the Island.

Medford's mainland parents died when their boat sank among the shoals and he washed up on the Island's shore as an infant. The community took him in, but he has never been fully accepted and has been given the Useless last name Runyuin. He is now of Nameable age and hoping to earn the last name Carver by practicing the trade he learned from his adopted father. But he can't bring himself to destroy the Useless decorative figures he's been secretly carving for years. And then the Goatman shows up.

[Jody Bachelder · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a little hard to categorize because it blends a historical setting with a quirky fantasy element. When he was a baby, Medford Runyuin washed up on an island, called "Island" by the inhabitants because it's the only one they know. This island is a world unto itself, because since the 1700's the community has cut itself off from the rest of the world so that it can live by its own rules. The rules come from The Book, which states that everything and everyone must be useful, and anything that is not useful is unnameable and thereby banished. This can even happen to people. Medord worries that this may happen to him, because he likes to carve beautiful things that aren't useful.

One day a creature, half man and half goat who can summon the wind, appears on his doorstep, and this acts as the catalyst for Medford and others to question the status quo. Though Medford is a sympathetic hero and the Goatman is kind of a fun character, the pacing really drags. The story line is pretty standard and predictable, good triumphing over evil. I'm not a big fan of mixing a fantasy element in an otherwise normal setting, and I don't think it works particularly well here. The author and setting are in Maine, however, and that might interest some.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Medford Runyuin has a name that doesn't mean anything, at least not anything "useful". He washed up on Island's beach as an infant and was taken in by Boyce Carver. He is trained to follow in his foster father's footsteps as a carver. Medford has a secret that he can't tell anyone. His secret is Unnameable and could get him banished if anyone were to find out. As if coping with his secret isn't enough, a stranger shows up on his doorstep causing even more chaos. The residents of Island have a lot to think about in resolving these issues.
I was intrigued by the idea of this story. Island was started by a group of people who separated themselves from mainstream society during the 1700's (I think, no clear dates were ever given). They believe that everything should be "useful" and have a clear "purpose". People and things should be named for their purpose. Anything that is Unnameable is dangerous and wrong. I felt that there were some inconsistencies in the story as far as using "useful" things and names. I found the Goatman rather annoying, yet I understood the purpose of the character. I loved the idea of this book more than I loved the actual book. I am glad I read it and would recommend it to others who are interested in fictional futures and dystopian societies.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something happened when I finished this book....I smiled! An actual physical smile, not just a "think about how I liked the book" smile! I don't know if I can remember the last time that happened. The textbooks talk about a book "resonating" with the reader...staying with the reader after the story is over...or wanting to read the book again right away. This book did all of those things to me and more!

It was a well-crafted fantasy, the suspending of disbelief happening gradually and the setting not being too other-worldly as to turn off even a reader who thinks they don't like fantasy. There is a resolution to the conflict that doesn't make a choice between the utopian world and the outside world...but I had better not give too much away!!!!

The place of art in a practical or a spiritual world has always been a subject that interests me, and this story does not disappoint. It is part "Frederick" by Leo Lionni and a bit of (but not to be compared with or even inferior to) "The Giver by Lois Lowry."

I am hoping for more great writing from this first time novelist!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book sits a line between middle grade and YA...though perhaps leaning more to YA in my opinion. Like many fantasy books, there's is a short period at that start of the tale that requires readers to "settle into" the world that the author is creating. There's a rhythm to how an often familiar but strikingly different world flows; how people communicate in this world; what is revered and what is taboo. Once I settled into the world that Booraem creates, I was hooked. Some of the plot twists and setups felt obvious, but that doesn't necessarily crush a book. If the characters are unique and captivating with depth and sincerity...than obvious doesn't matter so much (at least to me). And there were enough gentle surprises to keep the plot itself from feeling flat. And I couldn't help but love 14-year old Medford Runyuin - a boy with a passion for looking beyond the "use" of an object and seeing colors and forms and "life" in simple wood...and daring to defy the traditions of the Island by secretly giving in to his passion for carving beautiful objects simply because he sees the beauty within...

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life doesn't always go the way you think it will. As a baby, Medford Runyuin (pronounced run-you-in) washed ashore on The Island, a mostly self-isolated community which holds to the old ways as described in a book written in the late-1600's. Although the story is set in modern day, the Islanders live in a community which eschews technology and ornamentation of any sort. Once an adult (age 14) each person's last name is changed to reflect his/her job which defines his/her usefulness in the community--Tailor, Carver, Fisher, etc. Medford, an orphan, was raised by the Carver family but the town doesn't accept him as one of them since his last name doesn't reflect any usefulness. Medford has learned to carve useful objects but he also has a secret which shows he has committed the most heinous of transgressions against Island practices. Enter the Goatman, half goat and half man. Medford's secret gets out, things get very complicated, and the whole town adjusts its thinking about much of their history and lifestyle.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's nice to see that authors still try to write good dystopian fiction for middle school, even though The Giver set a ridiculously high standard. This was pretty good--a society that has been formed based on only doing useful things, and useless things--sculpture, poetry, arts--are banned. Of course, our hero (Medford) is a talented carver, coaxing animals and other shapes out of the wood he works with, hiding his light under a metaphorical bushel (literally, under his bed). This alone would be an interesting story, but then a wind-controlling satyr blows in. I don't know that the story needed this extra fantastical element--I enjoyed the story from a more-or-less realistic standpoint, too. There was one moment near the end where the book teetered perilously close to sucking, but it managed to walk juuuuuuuuust this side of the Deus Ex Machina line.

Enjoyable, and great for middle-school readers!

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable middle school fantasy by a first time novelist. Probably would be a good one to recommend to readers who enjoyed the City of Ember series. Also has strong boy and girl characters and set in a closed society-in this case an island some thiry miles from the mainland. Everything must have a name indicating its use and things that are not useful are not wanted-in fact, the "Unnameable" is greatly feared, and being associated with unnameable things can get a person banished. A person's name signifies their place in society. Teenage Medford had washed ashore as a baby and does not have a proper name which must be given by the Town Council. He is troubled by the fact that he feels compelled to carve things that are beautiful and not just useful and fears he will never be given the name "Carver" like his foster father. After the mysterious mythical Goatman and his dog wash up on shore and appear at Medford's home the action really begins.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really enjoyable. I picked it up while waiting for my best friend to get done with a hair appointment when there wasn't space in the salon for me to sit. There was a Borders around the corner so I fished it out of the bargin bin and enjoyed the first few chapters and a soy latte. It's pretty fast moving and fun. I did think that she was a bit too repetetive in her narration. Okay, I get it already, everything named after it's purpose and everything must have purpose. I'm pretty sure the residents of the Island are smart enough to understand that as well without having it drilled home every second of every day of their lives. Okay, that little rant is over. I also really wanted to goat man explained a little more. That having been said, the characters are strong and relatively complex. I thought it was fun in a Harry Potter/lightening thief kinda vein.

[melydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Medford Runyuin lives on the Island, a place where everything is named for its Use and nothing Useless is allowed. If you bake, your name is Baker; if you carve, your name is Carver; and everyone follows the rules laid out in The Book. Medford hopes to be called Carver once he reaches adulthood, but is worried about banishment because he has secretly been carving Useless (though beautiful) works of art. Now, if this had been the entire story, it would have been fairly generic. However, Medford's life is turned upside-down when he is visited by the Goatman, a smelly man with hooves and horns who can control the wind. This nifty little twist adds life to an otherwise rather standard story about the joy of creativity. I hope there's a sequel that goes into more detail about the goatfolk. He was the most interesting character.

[Joant · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book. It is an dystopian tale that starts out so promising. The secluded, Puritan feel of the Island is well done, the clues to what is Unnameable draw the reader in. And the characters are rich and appealing. I was excited, thinking I had found something close to a book I love, The Giver. But alas, the action turns cartoonish (c'mon - everyone giving the Goatman napkins), crammed with resolving plot points and relationships . And no mention of the devastation the Islanders would feel in discovering their Book and social structure were based on , at the least, misinformation. People who a week before would not speak suddenly demand answers? The ending is such a missed opportunity . Still, the first half or so of the book is really well done. -thus 2 stars.

[SJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm so disappointed in this almost good book. Good writing, good characters, interesting concept that has been done often before, but not quite like this. Yet, no. It just doesn't make the grade.

The story is about a small reclusive colony on an Island which has made a near religion out of living their lives in as Useful a fashion as possible. Only things that are Useful receive names and anything artsy fartsy is considered dangerous and grounds for being exiled from the community altogether. Okay, fine.

Until one day a comedic supernatural visitor comes to visit the island, and that is when the story falls apart. This whole subplot just seemed so forced and needless and if you did away with the visitor, I think this book would have really been something. Instead, I struggled to finish it, no matter how good the writing was, and I couldn't recommend it as a result.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

14-year-old Medford lives on an island whose strict society allows only useful objects that are named. Anything not useful is ignored and not named. Every person carries the name of what they do... John Farmer, Mary Potter... A very controlled society. But Medford, is not native to this island. He washed up on shore as in infant and although has been assigned the role of carver of only useful objects, he knows he has a special talent for artful objects. These he must hide. One day Medford encounters a creature that is 1/2 man, 1/2 goat that can mysteriously stir the winds. This creature causes Medford to question the strict rules of his culture and from here, all sorts of problems arise.