Unicorn Island: The Secret of Lost Luck

by Donna Galanti, Bethany Stancliffe (Illustrations)

Librarian note: An alternative cover for this ISBN can be found here.

When Sam arrives in Foggy Harbor, population 3,230, all she can see is a small, boring town that’s way too far from home. And knowing that she’s stuck there all summer with her grumpy Uncle Mitch only makes things worse.

But when Sam discovers a hidden trapdoor leading to a room full of strange artifacts, she realizes Foggy Harbor isn’t as sleepy as it seems. With the help of a new friend, Sam discovers an extraordinary secret beyond the fog: an island of unicorns whose fates are intertwined with hers.

Beyond the mist lies a magical secret waiting to be discovered . . . From Epic! Originals, Unicorn Island is a middle-grade illustrated novel series about a young girl who discovers a mysterious island full of mythical beasts and darker dangers!

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Childrens, Family, Adventure

224 pages, Hardcover

Published May 1, 2021

About the author

Donna Galanti is the author of the middle-grade Unicorn Island series, Joshua and the Lightning Road series, Loon Cove Summer as well as the Element Trilogy paranormal thrillers for adults. She has lived in fun locations including England, her family-owned campground in New Hampshire, and in Hawaii where she served as a U.S. Navy photographer.

Donna is an avid outdoor adventurer and nature lover. She volunteers for the Old-Growth Forest Network and with the National Audubon Society. When Donna’s not wandering the woods seeking magic and wonder, you can usually find her biking or kayaking. For more information on her books, school visits, and events, visit her at: www.donnagalanti.com.


Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DonnaGalantiA...

Reviews

[Radwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

English Review Below.

رواية خيالية لطيفة للأطفال، عن سامنثا التي تُضطر للعيش مع عمها بعد اضطرار أمها للسفر إلى الخارج للعمل. يعيش عمها في مدينة "فوغي هاربر" المنعزلة. وعند وصول سام إلى ذلك المكان، تتعرف على أصدقاء جدد وتكشف بعض الأسرار عن ذلك المكان وعمها وربما عن نفسها أيضا، وتبدأ تفكر في حياتها وما تريده، السفر الدائم مع أمها بحكم عملها أم شيء آخر.
واضح من نهاية الكتاب أنه له جزء آخر، والرواية مصحوبة برسومات جميلة جدا. لكنها فعلا رواية للأطفال، لأن الحبكة متوقعة والصراع شبه منعدم. لكن لن أنتقدها لهذا، لأنني لست الفئة المستهدفة، وأعتقد أنها كرواية خيالية، ستعجب الأطفال.

This is a definitely a middle grade novel. It's a story about Samantha, who has to go live with her uncle when her mom has to travel abroad for her work. Her uncle lives in the secluded and faraway Foggy Harbour. When Sam gets there she starts uncovering some secrets about that town, her uncle, and maybe herself. She finds new friends and contemplates what she wants from life, after the life of travelling she led with her mother.

It's apparent that there's another book coming to this series, as it ends on a cliffhanger. The novel is accompanied by beautiful illustrations. But it was too predictable and the conflict was almost non-existent, but then, I guess I'm looking at it with the lens of an adult, not the actual target audience, whom I think will really enjoy the story and the illustrations.

I thank Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the digital arc.

[Frida · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an eARC copy in exchange for an honest review from Andrews McMeel Publishing via NetGalley.

This book was such a delight to read; it is so wonderfully written, flowy, descriptive (including the illustrations), and I cannot wait for the sequel, as I am sure there will be one at least (there must be one)! And it talks about, no more no less - unicorns, my favourite mythical creatures!



Here, we follow Sam, a young girl full of life. She is sad about spending the summer with her uncle Mitch in Foggy Harbor, with no mum, and no friends to hang out. Not very promising, right? Luckily, she meets a young boy called Tuck, and they become friends. Together, they discover the secrets of Unicorn Island and her uncle's connection with the mythical creatures. But, there are still some secrets yet undiscovered.

Unicorn Island is an adorable young middle-grade story (do mind, I enjoyed it quite a lot). It is easy to follow, imaginative, and has a few beautiful illustrations that connect very well with the story. Just look at this one:



The story itself may be slightly predictive (I think I already know what uncle Mitch's secret is), but then again - this is a middle-grade book, and I do believe it holds the air of mystery in it, especially for curious children, such as Sam and Tuck. If there is a sequel, I would certainly want to be there for it, to see what other secrets and adventures are laying ahead of Sam, and what Unicorn Island has hidden in its pockets. A great read, and awesome five stars from me!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twelve year old Samantha Sea Wells is happy to have finally settled down in one place for a whole year and is getting ready to spend the summer with her friends. Her excitement is soon dashed when she finds out her mother is working in Europe for the summer. With her mother gone, Sam will have to leave home and go stay with an uncle she doesn't know in Foggy Harbor. As soon as she arrives, she's disappointed by the boring town, which is so small compared to Brooklyn. Uncle Mitch is grumpy, and Sam feels out of place. She meets Tucker, and they become fast friends. Hanging out at her uncle's she and Tuck find a trapdoor, which leads to a secret room. Of course they have to explore! They find some artifacts that puzzle them and they have all kinds of questions. Then Uncle Mitch comes home, and he's very angry to find them snooping. He tells Sam she will have to leave and she's not allowed to see Tuck again. Later, she looks out over the water and notices the constant fog is lifting. Sam sees her uncle rowing toward an island that wasn't there before. Where is he going? And where did the island come from? What lies behind the fog? Sam and Tuck decide to find out. Are their eyes deceiving them? Should Sam and Tuck explore or stay away? You will have to read the first book in the Unicorn Island series to find out what happens next.

I was so excited when I found out that Donna Galanti had a new book coming out. I have read other books by her and loved them, so I knew I was in for a treat when I picked up Unicorn Island (Volume 1). The cover drew me in right away- I love the colors and the sparkly title. Throughout the book there are many color illustrations by Bethany Standcliffe, which made the story even more magical. I think kids will be able to relate to Sam, and the fact that she was happy to finally be settled somewhere. I know visiting relatives can be fun, but it can also be stressful to go where you really don't know your family or anyone else. I was glad Sam made friends with Tuck, because he seemed nice and they got along. I could relate to exploring the room under the trapdoor, since I know I can't resist a good mystery. I would love to get to see unicorns in person, and I think anyone who enjoys magic will fall right into this story and want to go beyond the fog. I recommend this book to anyone eight and up who likes fantasy and mystery. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series!

[SassyBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5

This book was super cute! I really loved the art that was used every other page, and I think this is a lovely book to read to young readers or give them to young readers to start off with reading. Sam was a really cute character and I really liked reading about her.

For sure a purchase I would make if there's a young reader in my area I know.

[Juan Manuel Sarmiento · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unicorn Island is a light novel with a self-explanatory plot (a girl discovers an island with unicorns) best suitable for young readers or even for nighttime-read-aloud-sessions.
It's short, it has a nice bunch of characters and have several misteries, although pretty much all of the knots of the plot are left kind of untied -maybe in the next books.
The chapters are short and they have cute pictures, which help with a fast reading, but the end is too loose for me. Younger readers may find this frustrating if they don't have the next installment.

[Lillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute book. I enjoyed reading it.

[John G Valentin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a delight to read. Amazing illustrations, a solid story, great adventures. I could not put it down. My inner child was happy!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just pre-ordered the hardcover. Cannot wait to read - I love Donna Galanti’s books! And I’m extra happy that this is in hardcover!!

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unicorn Island by Donna Galanti is a beautifully written coming of age fantasy for a young girl looking for her place in the world…and she finds it in the most unlikely place. It was easy to like Sam and when she looks out at the view from her attic bedroom window in Foggy Harbor, I felt like I would enjoy living there too. I love when an author gives me more than I anticipated and leaves me with a smile on my face.

At the end of the book, Donna Galanti shares some history on unicorns, wyverns, veterinarians, the pirates of the Carolina’s and Ocracoke and Assateague Islands, where the wild horses roam free.

I loved this wonderful story and am so glad there is more to come.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Unicorn Island by Donna Galanti.

See more at fundinmental

[Erica George · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably one of my favorite MG reads in a while, and I’ve recommended it to friends who have reluctant young readers! I love how the author combines the heartfelt story of Sam, a young girl searching for family and belonging, and finding a mystical island inhabited by unicorns. The writing is engaging and immersive, perfect for its intended young audience! By combining the modern and realistic setting with elements of the fantastic, this is a compelling read!

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received only the first book of this set (which holds a slightly different cover).

This is the first book in a series and sets the scene as well as the characters up nicely for upcoming adventures.

Sam is shipped off to her uncle's for the summer, since her mother has a concert tour in Europe, but Sam doesn't know her uncle well...only that he was grumpy. When she arrives, he wasn't expecting her and would like her to leave but can't get ahold of her mother. Sam does her best to deal with the situation and soon runs into a boy in town. They quickly become friends. When the two discover a trap door leading to a secret room in the basement, they learn that there's a lot more to Sam's uncle and the fog surrounding the house than they thought.

Sam is quite a normal girl, and it's easy to connect with her when she's shipped off to an uncle she doesn't know. Her bravery and desire to be kind despite his grumpiness make her even easier to cheer for. Her new friend is the kind of person, who's ready for adventure and has a good heart. Their friendship is enjoyable, and they make a great duo.

The tale itself moves along at a steady pace with enough descriptions to bring the world color and life. The text is fairly simple, making it perfect for the younger end of the middle grade range. I wondered about the 200+ pages, but the font is fairly large, meaning there isn't an overwhelming amount of text on each page. Add the multiple illustrations to the mix, and it's a quick, easy read.

This is the beginning of a series, and the author uses this book to set the stage for the upcoming adventures. It took awhile for the adventure to really get going (after a bit more than a third of the book), but once it does, it dives into magic pure. I did find that the island and its creatures were much too easily accepted by Sam and her friend, and a few other moments happened without much depth or thought. It made some things to simple and a little hard to believe. But it's a cute tale, which magic and unicorn fans are sure to enjoy.

I received an ARC copy, enjoyed the read and am giving it 3.5 stars and rounding up.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam is buoyant about her and her mother's life together in New York, until mum decides to decamp to tour Europe for months with an orchestra. And so Foggy Harbor, South Carolina beckons for Sam, and an extended break with a crotchety boat builder of an uncle she's not met since she could talk about it. Except on arrival she finds her presence there had been a bit of a secret. But then, Uncle Mitch might just be full of startling secrets, and one of them might be that he's not just a boat builder…

I really liked this, even if it was slightly flawed. This book is the full copy of the five episodes as seen on the Epic website for readers of such digital resources. Having this adventure in two covers, with promises of more to come, should be a delight for the young reader. I say should, because this is noticeably more descriptive than other books from this publisher – a gentler style taking us into the high drama to come. Now the fact this is evidently different to what might be expected may throw a few readers off, who now prefer the more immediate high-octane action. And the more shallow angle of the ramping everything up here does prove this is the opening book in a series – a lot of this is world- and character-building, and thus we don't have the time to get a full adventure subsequent books will give us.

But for all its slightness, its lacking a real surprise or originality, it's still more than welcome in my mind. The artwork, all CG-looking, works, but doesn't really fit what I saw in the text, which was much more old-fashioned and literate. I can't say how those old-school vibes will present in future volumes, for I suspect something highly fantastical and dramatic is planned for the rest of the series, but I would certainly want to be there to see what does get revealed. Four and a half stars.

[Steff Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

| Read on Reader Fox |


They help us believe that magic is real, and in believing, we can unleash our own magical potential.

I am a huge fan of the Epic Books platform and I'm always excited when they come out with a new book. Donna Galanti's Unicorn Island is once such book, filled with a mix of things that Epic has come to be recognized for, from gorgeous illustrations to exciting and fun stories. Like many of their chapter books, Unicorn Island is what I would call an episodic middlegrade novel.

Episodic Middlegrade

So, an episodic middlegrade novel is the kind of book that, were it to be adapted into a television show, could equate to a single episode and not a whole season. This happens rather often with middlegrade, unlike young adult novels which could account for an entire season. Often episodic middlegrade novels have one major point to a plot and little else. Sometimes they have multiple major points, but each happens so quickly that the overall story feels like a short episode.

Unicorn Island has two major plot points; that of what main character Samantha's uncle is up to and then the team banding together for an important mission. In essence, I think this book could equate to two episodes of a show at most. When it comes to books like these, they are excellent reads for young readers who are just getting into longer chapter books. They're adventuresome and they're quick.

A Word on the Plot and Characters

With episodic-like books, you speed through most of the adventure. Each move from one moment to another is fast and every plot twist is revealed just as quickly. This is done on purpose. The intent, of course, is to keep the young reader engaged every step of the way. And it's very effective to remove the time possibility for disengagement. However, I do feel that this takes away from having an intentionally thoughtful novel. It doesn't allow for a lot of time to develop nuanced thinking about the story because by the time you might do so, you've already moved on to the next plot point.

This is not to say these books are bad, of course. I'm actually quite fond of episodic middlegrade novels. But, I do think that they could be better.

Where Unicorn Island is concerned, it did feel rushed at times. More importantly, I hated the plot twist reveal at the end. It left absolutely no room for any mystery in the future, at least as far as the audience is concerned. In general, I'd consider it the equivalent of showing one's hand in a poker game. And it basically revealed the entire plot for any future novels.

And, sometimes, this okay. There have been plenty of novels where something is revealed to the readers that the main characters are unaware of. But it has to be done well. Unfortunately, introducing a plot twist out of the blue with absolutely no build up or foreshadowing does not equate to doing this well.

Overall Cute, but Lacking

In general, I did enjoy the story. I think the overall ideas behind it all were wonderful and I loved the artwork. The writing could use some improvement, but the characters were excellent. It definitely falls into the category of middlegrade books that I wouldn't mind recommending to young readers I know. But, at the same time, I the extremely fast pace and the poorly written plot twist at the end make me feel uninterested in reading the sequel.

I can recognize, however, that there is a lot of good in this book. There will likely be a lot of middlegrade readers who will deeply enjoy the characters and the story.

I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

| Reader Fox Links |

[Alexandra Seals · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Unicorn Island books 1-3 with one of my third grade reading small groups (which was made up of girls). These books are a series unique to the children’s digital library app, Epic! The books are oddly only about 3 chapters each. Each book ends with a nonfiction insert related to the chapter. There are beautiful illustrations throughout the chapters.

The first book reads like a realistic fiction; my girls were disappointed when they learned that it was fantasy because unicorns aren’t real. Sam and her mom, a professional musician, have finally lived in one place for a year. Just when Sam is ready to celebrate, her mom breaks the news of her job offer to play in Europe for the summer. Sam will have to stay in Foggy Harbor with an uncle she’s never met. The series starts to get interesting when Sam and her new friend, Tuck, find mysterious objects in a hidden room of Uncle Mitch’s house. One night, Sam sees Uncle Mitch row to an island shrouded in fog. When he doesn’t return, she and Tuck row after him. They’re greeted by a wyvern and a field of unicorns. Uncle Mitch is aiding a sick baby unicorn. Will the baby unicorn survive? Will Sam discover what happened to her Aunt Sylvie who disappeared on the island?

[Kelly (VanIslandCircus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank-you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for an e-Arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was elated to see an Epic! Original available that I immediately put in a request. I find Epic! Originals to be so incredibly well written and engaging, that I knew my kids would love Unicorn Island.

We are first introduced to Sam and her mother, who is about to travel to Europe to perform with an Orchestra, sending Sam to stay with her Uncle Mitch in the small town of Foggy Harbour. With only a population of 3,230 and having only last seen her Uncle when she was 2, Sam longs for a sense of belonging.

It isn’t until Sam, along with her new acquaintance Tucker, discover a mystery that the adventure unfolds.

I thoroughly enjoyed the world filled with magic and mythical creatures brought to life by author Donna Galanti which were complimented by the beautiful illustrations provided by Bethany Stancliffe.

I think that this book would be great for early readers or as choice to be read aloud. I hope that the story continues in future installments and that the lingering questions I have will be answered.

Releases tomorrow!

[Zainab · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC copy in exchange for an honest review from the publisher via NetGalley.

Epic, the world’s leading online children’s book subscription, brings us an original middle grade series; Unicorn Island.

Book one starts off with Sam being sent off to spend the summer with her Uncle Mitch in Foggy Harbor.
Sam has no friends; she misses her mom and Uncle Mitch had no idea she is going to be staying the summer.

The plot of the book is well done and intriguing, I enjoyed Sam’s curious nature and wanting to know more about Foggy harbor and its secrets.

The chapters are short, the text is easy to comprehend and follow. I can see elementary schools getting a frustrated at the unanswered questions.

However, what really fascinated and drew me to this read is the artwork by Bethany Stancliffe.
Mystical and magical the drawings tie in so well with the text and elevate it.

The read has underlying themes of friendship, sense of belonging, parent-child relationship, loyalty.

Waiting for the second part in the series!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is apparently the first in a series about a girl who discvoers, well, a unicorn island. That is given away in the title of the book, so that is no surprise.

There are hints about further revelations, but the book just ends with none of those threads being wrapped up. It feels a bit abrupt, but since this is the first book, perhaps things will get cleared up in later books.

Quick, short read, with nice enough chracters, and mysterious uncle. At the end of the book, some facts are brought out such as the wild horses that exist on a North Carolina island, and also what Veterinarians do, because there is a Vet in the story.

Until I see the next books, it is hard to say if the “mysteries” have not been overly telegraphed, but right now, it feels that way.

Cute pictures, and easy to read chapters. But, I did not like how the book left so much hanging at the end.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review: I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. The following is my honest review and opinion. I can't help but continuing feeding that little unicorn loving little girl in my heart with more great unicorn books. This is definitely a book younger me would have loved and would have consumed the entire series! I enjoyed the main character, Sam seems smart and independent even though she has a rough go of things still seems to hold it together pretty good. I also really enjoyed Tuck and Uncle Mitch, it was great to get to know them. The mystery element also kept the pages turning and I like how all the questions aren't all answered right away, the open mystery keeps you coming back for more. The fact that this book takes place in a real world but with fantasy elements will be a great way to introduce young readers to the fantasy element, some kids struggle to imagine a high fantasy world so this is a great way to get started.

[Coco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a lovely book, unicorns and a mystery. Wonderfully written, I felt as if I was in Foggy Harbor with Sam. Sam was relatable character and open about her feelings. For such lighthearted book it was able to touch on some great topics. At the same time able to still able to stay mystical. The illustrations are absolutely stunning. I definitely would recommend this book to any young reader you loves unicorns and also enjoy mysteries.

Thank you to net galley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for sending me advanced copy.
#netgalley #unicornisland

*** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.***

[Shireen Hakim · Rating 5 out of 5]

UNICORN ISLAND is an epic book, both for its intriguing story for young readers and beautiful illustrations.
Like Frozen 2, UNICORN ISLAND will enthrall its young readers with a family mystery and magical creatures.
Readers will definitely enjoy this book and the continued stories to come in the series.

Thank you for the e-ARC Andrews McNeel and NetGalley!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a delight to read and I can definitely see young readers loving this! The illustrations were beautiful.

[Zuha · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was pretty good.

[Natalie Aguirre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first fantasy story I've read that was shorter than what you'd normally expect. I really enjoyed it. It was a fast-paced story that kept me wanting to turn the page. And I enjoyed the illustrations, which you don't always see in other fantasies. This is a great book for younger middle grade readers who need a shorter book to read. I can't wait to read the second book in the series.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received as a Goodreads giveaway winner (though this is just Book 1 not Books 1-5 as was described in the giveaway, and above).
This is a good start to the series. The illustrations add to the story and will benefit the age range targeted.

[Fleur Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been a fan of Donna Galanti’s work for a while, and I was so happy to see her latest title, Unicorn Island. The story follows Sam, who is disappointed to have to spend her summer with Uncle Mitch, whom she barely knows and doesn’t seem happy to see her at all.

Thankfully, Sam makes a friend in local kid Tuck, who shows her around the island. Then they discover Unicorn Island and her uncle’s secret connection, and the series is off to fun adventure and lots of magic...

This book settles firmly in younger middle-grade, with ample (color) illustration, large type, themes of fantasy and adventure, as well as lots of heart in Sam’s relationship with her family and newfound friend Tuck. I’m happy to see this book, as younger MG that’s a good fit for reluctant readers can be hard to find.

I highly recommend this for your kiddo who might be graduating from chapter books, but isn’t quite ready for older middle-grade. A fun, sweet younger MG full of heart—I look forward to the next book in the series…

**Publisher provided ARC for honest review

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam's mother is a traveling musician, and her latest tour will take her to Europe. Sam, however, won't be going with, instead she is being sent to live with her Uncle Mitch in Foggy Harbor, South Carolina. Sam is reluctant to move to Foggy Harbor, thinking it can't compare to where she lives now with her mom. Plus, Sam hardly even knows her Uncle Mitch and he certainly can't know much about her either. Upon arriving in Foggy Harbor, Sam is surprised by her Uncle Mitch's grumpiness, it's almost like it he didn't even know that his niece was coming to stay with him. Sam tries hard to stay out of his way, entertaining herself by investigating the small town. Sam soon meets a boy named Tuck, Tuck's mom is the local veterinarian, and the two quickly hit it off. Sam invites Tuck over to her uncle's house and while exploring, they discover a trap door and a hidden storage unit filled with her Uncle Mitch's mementos, including a picture of Sam's aunt, white tufts of hair and a mysterious clock. When Sam's uncle catches them rifling through his things, he vows to send Sam back to her mom. Then late at night, Sam observes him taking the row boat out into the fog. When he doesn't return by the next morning, Sam convinces Tuck to help her try and find her uncle.

Unicorn Island is the first book in a new series by Donna Galanti. The story is fairly straight forward, a girl discovers a mysterious island filled with unicorns that have been shrouded behind a mist of fog. The mystery of the story is how Sam's uncle became the fog keeper, responsible for tending to and protecting the unicorns. There's also a little tension when one of the newborn's falls ill and Sam's uncle doesn't know how to heal him. The full color illustrations by Bethany Stancliffe, are bright and provide just the right atmospheric qualities to the story, capturing the misty fog, stormy waters, and quiet beach town. I especially like the darker ones of the fog, then the contrast with the bright town. The ending alludes to new dangers awaiting Sam and Tuck in the next book and overall this is a nice transition for a reader wanting to move up to more advanced books. It kind of reminded me of The Creature of the Pines from Adam Gidwitz's The Unicorn Rescue Society. Included at the end of the book are details about the history of unicorns, pirates in the Carolina's, even details about island's that house wild horses. With plenty of kid appeal, I'd happily gift this to a younger reader interested in unicorns.

[Vicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Any world with unicorns in it is a better one. That’s a given! So of course I wanted to read these books. Overall, I enjoyed the characterization. I probably liked new best friend Tuck and grumpy Uncle Mitch best, but that’s me. I like how Sam and Tuck came together with a complementary friendship.

The exposition of the secrets of Unicorn Island worked well. The first book ends satisfactorily enough, but it was clear that another book was planned.

Book two carries on with Sam and Tuck learning to be unicorn protectors, and Sam is loving it. Of course, life can’t carry on so happily, and there are problems and more revelations to be dealt with. The door is definitely open for this story to continue!

For me, the narrative style skewed toward the younger end of the intended audience, and Sam read younger than 12 to me—a bit innocent and naïve. There’s nothing really trailblazing here in either narrative or plot. That’s not to say it isn’t a good read; it’s just not an exciting read.

The illustrations are a definite plus in these books, helping the reader to visualize the atmospheric setting.

Possible Objectionable Material:
There are fantasy creatures. A single parent must travel for work, so their child has to stay with an unfamiliar uncle. Deception. Perilous situations.

Who Might Like These Books:
Unicorn fans! Those who like a little fantasy in their stories. Those who like friendships and protecting living creatures. Especially readers in the younger end of the suggested range.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing ARCs in exchange for my opinions.

These reviews also at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2...

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unicorn Island presents the tale of a young girl who goes to live with her uncle only to discover that he is the caretaker for a group of unicorns hidden on an island cloaked in fog. Sam befriends Tuck, the son of the local vet, and together they help take care of the unicorns. Galanti has written a fun fantasy book that early chapter book readers are likely to enjoy. The large text makes the book easy to read and the full color illustrations add to the attractiveness of the book. Recommended for young readers who love unicorns and a relatively straight-forward tale of adventure.

[Micky Bonfiglio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a heartfelt-adventure plus ... unicorns! Even though a short book, the characters were so well-drawn and likable. Family and friendship is at the heart of the story, which I loved. Also, the setting is so atmospheric and the illustrations really brought it to life. Can't wait for the next book in the series!

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unicorn Island is a delightful and easy to read middle school novel. When Sam is sent to Foggy Bottom, South Carolina, to spend the summer with her uncle. A constant fog off shore is said to harbor strange vanishings. Sam will discover a hidden island hone of unicorns. There are several informative blurbs at the end. This book was a free review copy through Goodreads.com.