Daybreak on Raven Island

by Fleur T. Bradley

From the critically acclaimed author of Midnight at the Barclay Hotel comes a thrilling new middle grade mystery novel inspired by Alcatraz Prison.

Tori, Marvin, and Noah would rather be anywhere else than on the seventh grade class field trip to Raven Island prison. Tori would rather be on the soccer field, but her bad grades have benched her until further notice; Marvin would rather be at the first day of a film festival with his best friend, Kevin; and Noah isn't looking forward to having to make small talk with his classmates at this new school.

But when the three of them stumble upon a dead body in the woods, miss the last ferry back home, and then have to spend the night on Raven Island, they find that they need each other now more than ever. They must work together to uncover a killer, outrun a motley ghost-hunting crew, and expose the age-old secrets of the island all before daybreak.

Genres: Middle Grade, Mystery, Horror, Fantasy, Fiction, Audiobook, Thriller

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2022

About the author

Fleur (F.T.) Bradley is the author of Double Vision and the (spooky) middle-grade mystery Midnight at the Barclay Hotel (Viking Children’s, Aug. 2020), set in the fictional Barclay Hotel, inspired by the Stanley. Her story “The Perfect Alibi” appeared in Mystery Writers of America’s middle-grade anthology Super Puzzletastic Mysteries, edited by Chris Grabenstein (June 2020, HarperCollins). She regularly does school and Skype visits, as well as librarian and educator conference talks on reaching reluctant readers. Originally from the Netherlands, she now lives in Colorado Springs with her husband and two daughters, and entirely too many cats.

For more information on Fleur and her books, visit www.ftbradley.com or follow her on Twitter @FTBradleyAuthor

Reviews

[Keisha | A Book Like You · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check this one out if you want…
👻 A spooky story
🏝 set on a secluded island
🔒 inspired by Alcatraz prison
🦉featuring creepy ravens, ghostly figures,
🗝 and a secret kept in time!

Fleur is definitely becoming a new favorite spooky middle fears author for me! I still think Midnight at the Barclay Hotel was my favorite book of hers so far, but I did enjoy how spooky this one was and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next! 💛

[Jennifer Bertman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like Midnight at the Barclay Hotel, this is a well-paced mystery with characters I instantly connected with and wanted to learn more about. The premise is great: three seventh graders on a class field trip to Raven Island prison miss the last ferry back home. Not only do they have to spend the night on this spooky island, there are ghosts, a dead body, and potentially a killer on the loose. If you liked my novel The Alcatraz Escape but wished it was scarier or had ghosts, then this is the book for you!

[L.R. Braden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the characters in this story. The three kids who get trapped on the island are unique and memorable, and each has a distinct set of goals and motivations. Tori is a soccer goalie suspended from play due to bad grades. She hates being on the prison island because it reminds her of her brother who was just arrested. Noah is afraid of everything. He has been since his mother died. But he's willing to face his fears on the haunted island if it means getting a chance to see his mom's ghost. Marvin wants to be a movie director, and what better place to film a horror flick that a spooky, abandoned prison island? The three alternate having the narrative perspective, and each voice is unique.

The setting and world building are believable, based on stories from Alcatraz. The layout of the island is well reasoned, enough so that you can picture a map in your head as the kids explore. The writing style is smooth and descriptive.

The only place where the story fell down a bit for me was in some of the detail and motivational consistencies. The best example of this is Marvin and his phone. At the beginning of the story it was clear he wanted more than anything to film some of Raven Island on his phone to get spooky shots for his film, but the teacher said student phones were off limits until they got back on the ferry. So maybe he wouldn't risk filming while the teacher was around... but why wouldn't he whip out that phone as soon as he and his friends were out of sight of the teacher? He thinks about how much he wants a shot of the creepy forest they're walking through and the lighthouse they climb, but he never takes out his phone. This led me to believe the teacher had physically taken the kid's phones. Except then when the kids miss the ferry... they all have their phones. And yet Marvin STILL doesn't film anything. He's constantly considering shots he wants for his film, but never filming. What is he waiting for?

There were a few other examples of character inconsistencies like that, or straight up detail glitches when the narration shifted or timelines didn't quite line up. That's why I couldn't give the book five stars, but the overall story was fast and fun. My ten-year-old loved the book. She said she was glad the kids had a mystery to try to solve rather than just being trapped on a haunted island. She enjoyed trying to puzzle out the clues along with the characters.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t love the story, but I did love the message at the end about prison reform.

It’s cheesy and a quick read. It lost my interest several times but the authors message at the end meant a lot. I’m not mad I read it but won’t read again.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creepy, Alcatraz-inspired Middle Grade that packs a spooky punch!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a decent middle grade horror read! although i recognize that i am not the intended audience for this book, i do still enjoy middle grade horror. i read midnight at the barclay hotel from this author last month and absolutely loved it! in daybreak at raven island, i liked all the references in this to other horror movies & stories (“the raven,” jordan peele, alfred hitchcock, etc). the setting was awesome and it had some spooky moments. this book was just alright in my opinion. i didn’t really care about the mystery, and the book was quite repetitive at times. i don’t know how much more i need to be told that tori misses her brother in prison, marvin wants to be a horror filmmaker, or noah misses his mom and gets scared a lot. i saw some character development in them but it was pretty predictable. i wound up not really caring about the plot and just sped through this, so nothing really surprised or shocked me. i do think that a younger reader could find value and entertainment in this story, and i’ll be keeping an eye out on what this author does next.

[Adri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daybreak on Raven Island is Fleur Bradley’s new enjoyable, spooky middle grade novel. It follows a trio of kids, Tori, Noah, and Melvin, as they get stuck on Raven Island and its now defunct prison. It's basically as the synopsis lays it out.

I enjoyed the plot since it was deeply tied to the environment and characters. I also liked the many twist and turns with the ghost hunting and mystery, which I don’t think it was overly scary for young readers. The biggest thing I noticed was the budding friendship between Tori, Noah, and Melvin. We get to know a little of their background, history, and ambitions through the first few chapters. Here you kind of get the idea of how each of them fit into the story later on. Many things became clearer as the story unfolded while they roamed the island looking for clues and bumping into other characters. For instance, how each character realizes and comes to terms with their issues and emotions with the help of each other. Or like how the complex subject of prison is intertwined in the story. Although some of the story was predictable, that conclusion definitely wasn’t.

Overall, I personally loved Daybreak on Raven Island. If it sounds like it’s up your or your young reader’s alley, you'll want to check this one out.

Thanks for reading!
Disclaimer: This E-ARC of the book was provided by the Author for this review, thank you!

This review also appears on Our Thoughts Precisely

[Ben Gartner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A creepy murder mystery adventure on an island prison, yikes! Kids will be drawn into this story, its multiple layers, and range of characters. The chapters and sentences are short which will appeal to younger and reluctant readers, and every page and chapter ending leaves you wanting to read more. I'm sure kids will plead with "Just one more!" during read-alouds of this one. And they won't be let down by the twists and turns at the end! Another hit from Fleur Bradley.

[Xfox5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I was reading this awesome book I came across spooky themes and sinister story. What I liked about Daybreak on Raven island is that it incorporated mystery and scary Raven island prison.

Over all this is a great book and it is definitely worth buying.👌👌

[Cassandra Ogren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book I truly couldn’t put down! The perfect amount of spooky mystery for a middle-aged student. You can follow two plots in this story and I enjoyed that level of complexity.

[Felicity E · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolute Trash. Showed foreshadowing with … at the end of sentences. Sadly, I finished it. What a waste of life.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good ghost story and when it’s also combined with a mystery on an island where there are mysterious ravens, an actual dead body, and a creepy old prison -- I’m totally in! DAYBREAK ON RAVEN ISLAND kept me totally engaged as I shivered alongside Tori, Marvin, and Noah, three unlikely friends who end up spending the night stranded on the haunted Raven Island.

Author Fleur Bradley expertly weaves a ghost story filled with plenty of chills, jump scares, mystery, and three kids you can’t help but love and cheer for. I love the intertwining of an old ghost story with a modern mystery plus themes that will resonate with many readers. Bradley isn’t afraid to tackle tough topics and she does it with heart.

I highly recommend DAYBREAK ON RAVEN ISLAND for middle grade readers through adult. It’s fast-paced, well-plotted, and an immersive spooky read that’s perfect for ghost story season and year-round!

[Traci · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think upper elementary and middle school students who like spooky mysteries will love this book. I personally liked the fact that the need for prison reform in America was included in the story. In the author’s notes more details were given including websites for those who want to learn more or get involved.
Great for fans of the Cassidy Blake series.

[Darby Karchut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another page turner of an adventure from a favorite author, Fleur Bradley. Once again, she has woven a brilliant, atmospheric twist-a-minute Middle Grade thriller featuring a wonderful trio of young teens. “They were true friends now. You couldn’t survive a night on Raven Island together and not share a bond…” Readers who enjoy ghost stories and mysteries will fall in love with DAYBREAK ON RAVEN ISLAND.

[Abigail Mohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot: 4/5
Pacing: 4.5/5
Writing: 3.25/5
Characters: 3.75/5
General Enjoyment: 4/5
Average: 3.9 stars

Legend had it that ravens were the keepers of lost souls. And Raven Island had its share of those.

PLOT:
While the plot could be predictable at times, for the most part, it was intriguing and interesting to follow. Though the murder mystery element seemed to come out of nowhere, once the rest of the story fell into place, it made perfect sense. I loved the slow revelation of the history of the prison and how it tied into the film crew, and the character development of the trio that came with all the struggles they faced.

PACING:
The constant bouncing back and forth of POVs was hard to follow at first, but once I got used to it, it was a fast-paced story that was hard to put down. I ended up listening to the last two hours or so of the audiobook in a single sitting since the last bit was so intriguing. I rarely read books that take place in less than a day, so this one was really fun.

WRITING:
The writing was a bit choppy at times, but once it got into the style, it did the job. There was a bit of unnecessary repetition, especially as regarded characterization, but the creepy description more than made up for it.

CHARACTERS:
The main trio (Tori, Marvin, and Noah) were all complex and well-developed characters, though I did feel at times that their primary traits were overstated. At times, the author didn't seem to trust the readers to remember details about the characters and kept repeating them, but perhaps this only annoyed me because this book was written for a younger audience. And though it did have a bit of "incompetent or evil adults versus smart, clever children", especially at the beginning, I did appreciate some of the further development the adult characters got as it continued.

FINAL COMMENTS:
This was such a fun, ghostly mystery with some great commentary about the US prison system! Would recommend it to MG horror fans, especially those that don't want something *too* scary.

[Jolene Gutiérrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raven Island (a fictionalized version of Alcatraz Island) is opening for a tour for the first time for a 7th-grade class, but classmates Tori, Marvin, and Noah have other things on their minds. Fleur Bradley has woven so many layers into this story: topics like being the new kid, the death of a parent, learning differences, and the incarceration of a family member are all touched on in this action-packed ghost-filled mystery!

Spoiler alert: When Tori, Marvin, and Noah miss the last ferry back home, they're stuck on Raven Island with a ghost-hunting crew, ghosts, and a murder mystery. Will the discovery of the former warden's journal help them solve some of the island's mysteries?

This story is perfect for reluctant readers and any kids who love suspense (also, fans of Bradley's earlier book Midnight at the Barclay Hotel will love this new mystery)! Highly recommended for classrooms, libraries, and homes!

[Cameron · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF: Characters were somewhat annoying, and the plot was not developed well. The concepts had potential for a great novel, but overall, it was just poorly written.

For example:
- It described the prison as looking like a monster with tentacles at least 3 times (and I didn't even finish it!)

- Presented foreshadowing through the use of ...

- Tori only talked about wanting to play soccer and her brother (very centered around prison reform, which is obviously fine, but it was ALL she ever talked about)

- No build up to any seemingly significant events

- Events were just unrealistic, and the book didn't do a good job of explaining some of the events

- Reading level was very easy

- Was basically just a copy of Alcatraz (wasn't even a historical fiction novel)

Overall, I would not recommend this book. It was not a thriller of any sort, and in my opinion, it is not fit for Middle grade readers (possibly for younger readers).

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 4 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

It should be exciting to be the first people to tour the Raven Island in years, but the 7th graders aren't all that thrilled. Marvin is most interested, since he likes to make films and is somewhat interested in entering a movie competition. His parents run a Korean restaurant, so don't have a lot of time to encourage this pursuit. Noah is new to the school, and still dealing with the death of his mother, which has made him fearful about a lot of things. His therapist has encouraged him to keep a journal as a way to deal with these fears. Tori is angry about everything, mainly because of issues with her brother Danny, and also because she was taken off her soccer team for poor grades and behavior. Her friends who are still on the team are at a tournament. When the teacher and chaperone, Mr. Thompson, has the students "buddy" up, these three end up together. After taking the ferry over to the island, they are given a tour by Mr. Thorne, who is dressed in an old fashioned guard's uniform. The building had been a fort, then a tuberculosis sanitorium, and then had been used for a high security prison. It closed in 1972, and the father of the new owner, Ms. Chavez, was the last warden. He met an untimely end when prisoners tried to escape, and the prison was closed down because there had been so many inmate deaths. There's talk of cursed cells and ghostly prisoners, and the fact that there is a film crew there makes this seem possible. Tori and the two boys sneak off into the nearby woods and go towards a lighthouse, where they see faceless ghosts that Marvin says seem like the dalgyal gwishin that his grandmother talks about-- ghosts who have no one who loved them to remember them. Marvin comes up with a plan to get off the ferry and spend the night on the island to make his film, and Tori and Noah get caught up in it. It doesn't take long before they are discovered by Mr. Thorne, who takes them to Ms. Chavez's mansion. She's not happy with them, but makes sure they call home, have dinner, and are locked in their room for the night until they can get the ferry back in the morning. Of course they climb out the window and start to investigate a number of odd things. They've snagged Warden Chavez' journal from the office and find some interesting things about his career, especially the fact that he was trying desperately to reform the way the prison was run and treat the prisoners more fairly. The kids hang out with the filmmakers for a while, and when one of them is shot and killed, they have even more to investigate. Will they be able to solve the mystery of the 1972 jail break, Bob's death, and weather or not there really are ghosts on the island before the sun rises?
Strengths: A field trip will seem like a really rare and exciting event to middle grade students, and the fact that the trip is to an abandoned prison makes this even more exciting. For a student like Marvin, this is a perfect opportunity! For poor Mr. Thompson, who has to chaperone even though he wasn't expecting to, this is less exciting and causes him to be harried, which gives Noah, Tori, and Marvin a chance to make a break for it. I love that this was handled realistically-- teachers, in general, never lose anyone! I also liked that Ms. Chavez and her staff tried to keep their eye on the students as well. The fact that young people could see ghosts and adults can't is right in line with how middle grade fantasy usually works. The ghost hunters were a good inclusion, since books that feature them, like Poblocki's The Ghost Hunter's Daughter and Schwab's Cassidy Blake series, appeal to my readers very strongly. The history of the island prison, and the connections to Ms. Chavez, make for a really well developed mystery. Throw in an unfortunate murder that must be solved, and an all night adventure with ghosts, and Daybreak on Raven Island has a lot to recommend it to tween (and adult!) readers.
Weaknesses: This expanded the normal range of ghost activities a bit further than I am usually prepared to believe, but I am hugely skeptical about everything. My students tend to believe in ghosts, so they won't find this unusual at all.
What I really think: This made me think, of course, of Choldenko's Al Capone books, as well as Sullivan's Escape From Alcatraz, but definitely gives an interesting spin on the idea of a prison on an island with the appearance of ghosts as well as an actual murder to be solved. My students are all about a good murder mystery, so I will definitely be buying this one, especially since Bradley's Double Vision books are strong circulators.

[Mark Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

What worked:
The trio of main characters form an unusual blend of personalities. Tori is a competitive soccer player and could be a popular member of the class. However, she’s upset about being suspended from her team, her brother’s in prison, and she really has no interest in making friends. That’s strange as she chooses Marvin, a geeky boy with dreams of creating a spooky movie, as her field trip buddy and they add Noah, a withdrawn new kid who fears everything, as their third. Marvin’s curiosity gets them into loads of trouble. Noah doesn’t want to be left alone even though every new experience adds another subject to his list of fears; he literally has a twenty-page list of them.
The story involves ghosts but it doesn’t exactly feel like a ghost story. The kids are able to see ghosts, while adults cannot, but their interactions aren’t frightening or spooky. A ghost offers help when the kids are lost in the dark woods but other observations are more confusing. The ghost of the last warden is seen talking to inmates near a rowboat along the shore but the kids don’t understand why. They figure out something happened on the island when the prison was still open and they’re determined to uncover the secrets. The overall story reads like a mystery so readers will be able to speculate and piece together the clues along with the characters.
The setting is perfect for a ghost story. The deteriorating stone prison is crumbling, damp, and musty which creates a stifling atmosphere. The waters between the island and the mainland are treacherous as the powerful tides only allow the ferry to safely traverse the distance once each day. The kids have no way to leave and much of the story takes place at night. Of course, it’s a cold and rainy night. The structures on the island include the run-down prison, an old lighthouse, and a forgotten morgue. Black ravens constantly watch from the trees causing readers to wonder if the eerie birds might be stalking the kids.
What didn’t work as well:
For kids with various emotional issues, all three main characters make incredibly “brave” decisions and take dangerous risks. Noah constantly ventures into the unknown despite requiring psychiatrists in the past to help him face his phobias. The characters’ behaviors don’t always match up with the personalities established in the early chapters.
The Final Verdict:
Don’t let your fears control you. The mystery on Raven Island is interesting but it’s difficult to make connections with the characters. Perhaps it’s just me, but I keep wanting more descriptions or detail to help me infer the whole characters. The atmosphere and conflict definitely fit the story and I recommend this book for lovers of mysteries and ghosts.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is nearing the end of the school year, and a class of seventh graders from Greenville Middle School is embarking on an impromptu field trip to the infamous Raven Island prison. They are the first tour to visit the island in over fifty years, but not everyone is looking forward to the trip. Noah is the odd one out without a partner, and Tori would rather be defending a soccer goal; only Marvin sees the potential in this visit as he prepares to create the greatest horror movie of all time. The three classmates ultimately team up for the field trip, finding themselves interacting with unexpected characters during their visit. When the ferry leaves without them and the only chance to return to the mainland happens the following morning, the unlikely trio must combine their skills to survive not only the human inhabitants of the island, but their ghostly companions, as well.

Inspired by the real-life Alcatraz prison, Raven Island is filled with secrets and nefarious realities that instill fear in the hearts of visitors of all ages. This story takes place almost entirely on the grounds of the island, from the prison to the surrounding forest and beyond, and readers will sense the palpable anxiety felt by each of the characters. Though Tori, Marvin, and Noah are not friends initially, they each share common threads of loss and life experience that help them connect on a deeper level while spending a harrowing night on the island together. With three different and distinctive personalities, these characters all bring important contributions to the table as they puzzle out a mystery that threatens their very lives.

Taking place over the course of only about twenty-four hours, this book packs intensity into each page. The pacing of the narrative is gripping, and readers will be compelled to continue turning pages until the final resolve is achieved. A diverse set of characters is woven into the novel, and the narrative includes pertinent cultural references which enhance the depth and flavor of the story. As the children interact with one another, their dialogue is believable and approachable, and readers are sure to feel a connection with the characters from the first moments. Middle grade readers with an interest in spooky mysteries will be immediately drawn to this story; it is a clever and entertaining addition to libraries for middle grade readers that is not to be missed.

I received a copy of this book from the author and I chose to leave this review.

[Donna Galanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daybreak on Raven Island sucks you in from the very first chapter infused with mystery, intrigue, and foreboding. This dark tale begins with three unlikely friends thrown together on a fieldtrip to Raven Island—home of tragedy, misery, and an abandoned prison with gloomy tales to tell.

Tori, Marvin, and Noah are soon trapped in a sinister puzzle they must unravel before the next day using all their knowledge, wits, and uncovered resources. This field trip quickly becomes more than just a day off from school when we discover Tori, Marvin, and Noah each have a secret connection to this haunted island. The suspense intensifies as these kids begin to experience unexplained phenomenon that shakes up their sense of self and what they thought they knew—and leads to darker dangers they could never have anticipated.

If you love ominous, atmospheric stories, then you’ll love Daybreak on Raven Island. The suspense quickly grows with this diverse set of characters who all carry woeful baggage. They work well in contrast to each other to unravel the secrets of Raven Island—and soon discover not all is as it seems.

7 things to love about Daybreak on Raven Island:

1. A haunted island with an abandoned prison, lighthouse, mansion, and spooky forest (my fave combo!).
2. Ravens who watch over the island … and follow you (think Hitchcock’s The Birds but in a good way!).
3. History comes alive—literally before your eyes.
4. Gobs of spooky foreshadowing to give you creepy chills.
5. Ghosts galore (of course!).
6. A dark and tragic history to be uncovered.
7. New friendships forged under tough circumstances.

Fleur does a wonderful job of creating not only a unique set of characters but a unique setting that comes alive. The landscape and wildlife are eerie characters themselves that at times hinder and aid our three young investigators.

With each scene the situation worsens, leaving us to wonder if Tori, Marvin, and Noah will indeed survive their night on Raven Island to see daybreak. Throw in a ticking clock, ghostly help, tragic mystery to solve, and a terrifying world to navigate in the dark and you’ve got a chilling mix for a compelling story.

I’m a big lover of touring historical prisons, imagining them in their heyday and the people who lived there—and died there. I checked off a bucket list item to tour Alcatraz several years back, and would have given anything to stay overnight on that island with an abandoned prison! This book happily fulfilled that yearning 😊.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: Raven Island was a forgotten place. Sure, you could see the massive rock from the Pacific coast. On a clearer day, you may get a glimpse of the prison, or the empty dock that used to welcome boats and ferries. You could even see the lighthouse, once proud and bright but now extinguished. Forgotten. The ravens were perfectly fine with this situation.

Premise/plot: Seventh grade field trip gone horribly wrong--this is the premise of Fleur T. Bradley's Daybreak on Raven Island. This action thriller OR mystery/suspense novel--for middle graders--is narrated by three seventh graders: Tori, Marvin, and Noah. These three were not friends before the field trip, but the good old "buddy system" assignments has brought them together (ultimately to be terrified). So the seventh grade class is visiting an old (long, abandoned) prison thought to be haunted. This will be the first time any outsider has visited the island in decades. But on this special occasion, a seventh grade class and a film crew (for a ghost-hunting show) are on the island. Some hoping to avoid ghosts; some hoping to see ghosts. For three students (and the film crew) the adventure awaits at night...

Tori, Marvin, and Noah miss the ferry back home and have to remain on the island overnight....where danger awaits.

My thoughts: This isn't my typical kind of read, but, I do occasionally push myself to read outside my normal comfort zone. This one offers mystery, suspense, action, adventure...and plenty of secrets. I do think this one has plenty of appeal to the thrill-seeking kid. It offers a bit of spookiness with just the tiniest dose of didactic "nutrition." I am not saying that to be mean, I'm not. A book about a prison is certainly an opportunity to talk about the justice system--past and present.

Without a doubt this one is premise driven and not character driven. If the premise sounds good to you, likely you'll enjoy it.

[LitPick Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvin, Tori, and Noah don't want to be on their 7th-grade class trip to Raven Island Prison. Tori would rather be on the field with her teammates playing soccer, Marvin wants to be at a film festival, and Noah would rather just be at home than in that creepy prison. The three are paired to be buddies for the field trip and slowly start to build a friendship. However, when they sneak away from the rest of the group into the woods, they notice something very strange: ghosts. They know something very creepy is going on and rush back to find their school group. But when they miss the ferry back, they know they're stuck at Raven Island for the night. Something strange is going on at Ravenclaw Island, and it seems to be connected to Tori, Marvin, and Noah. Will they be able to figure out what's going on and survive the night?

Opinion:
Overall, I liked reading this book. It was very suspenseful, which made the book very exciting and made me want to keep reading. The pacing of the book was pretty fast, but I think that worked well with the suspense. I also liked how each character had their backstory, and we got to see more details about their life and thoughts as the book went on. The narration of the chapters switched between Tori, Marvin, and Noah, which I think added multiple perspectives to the story and gave us more details about what was happening. The author did a great job of describing the settings of the story, which again added to the creepy and mysterious tone of the story. I highly recommend this book to any age group, though it was a little spooky, so it may not be the best for young children.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The seventh graders from Greenville Middle School are about to go on an exciting adventure to the Raven Island. But for Tori, Marvin, and Noah, things are about to get a whole lot crazier on their class field trip to Raven Island prison. They would rather be involved in the things that they at least enjoyed but that's easier said than done.

But when the three of them stumble upon some past secrets and unexplainable truths in the woods, their fate is sealed. With their ferry gone, now, they must band together to uncover a killer who is meticulous and clever, outwit a ghost-hunting crew, and unravel the mysteries of the island.

"Raven Island will take its bounty."

By working together, they are able to piece together the clues, outsmart their foes, and ultimately bring justice to the island. Through their shared experiences and newfound friendship, they learn that sometimes the most unexpected adventures can lead to the greatest discoveries.

Fleur T.Bradley is one of my favourite authors when it comes to middle grade novels. Her writing style and compelling narration always gives me immense delight. After reading Midnight at the Barkley Hotel, I knew I had to get my hands on this one as well. And she didn't disappoint me in this one as well. The way the plot gives you unpredictable surprises and intricate details to the atmospheric vibes of an eerie and anticipated story setting is nothing short of an exciting adventure. One of my favourite scenes was when the trio went to the lighthouse and encountered one of the spooky memorable moments of their lives.

I'd highly recommend this book to all the readers who love a well woven spooky middle grade novel. A must read!

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 7th grade school field trip leaves sporty Tori, new kid Noah, and budding filmmaker Marvin stranded on an Alcatraz-like island, complete with far too many locked doors, a creepy forest inhabited by 13 jet black ravens, a network of tunnels and paths, a crumbling prison and ghosts of prisoners and a warden, too. Bradley’s book is not just a simple haunted jail plot, however, and the unlikely trio of students sets out to solve a decades old mystery of escape, abuse, and death. The tension is almost palatable from beginning to end and while some aspects of the mystery may be solved by readers, much will remain hidden until the very end. Middle grade readers will sympathize (or even empathize) with real life experiences of the main characters-loss of a parent, an imprisoned family member, struggle to find friends, poorly expressed anger. Race of characters is highly representative with Black, Korean, Caucasian, and Hispanic all present and prejudices and race-related statistic woven into the main plot in a seamless way, never coming across as contrived or preachy. No profanity or sexual content and the murder and prisoner abuse are all relayed in a bloodless and non-graphic manner. Excellent blend of mystery and horror genres and highly recommended for libraries of those in grades 4-7.

[Christine Letizia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daybreak on Raven Island is perfect for mystery lovers and for those who enjoy spooky ghost encounters.

I was super intrigued by the clever premise of this book - 3 kids end up stuck for the night on a haunted island that used to hold an active prison. It's inherently creepy and a great set up for an overnight adventure.

Bradley doesn't hold back with the chilling ghost encounters and the grimness and isolation of the prison itself. She does a great job bringing us into an environment filled with tension. I particularly liked how she designed the island and how it feels so interconnected. And the double mystery was a fun surprise.

The three main characters - Tori, Marvin, and Noah - are all relatable. The reader is drawn into their unique perspective of this prison and the ghosts, and we are rewarded by seeing them face their fears. Tori's experience with a brother incarcerated made her view of the prison very different from others. Her sadness and frustration with prisoner treatment is the driving force behind Bradley's commentary on the prison system. This commentary adds to the book and challenges young readers preconceived notions of how this system works in our country.

Overall, this is a great spooky middle grade book with tons of mystery and heart!

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished your book and I absolutely loved it. And I’m not much for mysteries or spooky stories. But this was so good I finished it in two days—and I have ADHD! Lol.

That being said, I’m donating it to my 7th grade classroom because of the subject matter of prison reform. I work for Chicago Public Schools and I know some students in our school with parents, uncles, aunts, siblings etc who are incarcerated. I think this book would really resonate with those kids.

I really like how you handled the topic. I think it was very age appropriate and informative.

My fave character was Marvin because growing up I was always making movies. In fact my degree is from Columbia College and it’s in Television Production. So even at 44 I completely related with Marvin! Tori’s story broke my heart and Noah was such a sweetheart with his book of fears. Which we learn in the story that everyone has many fears and he’s not alone!

I DID NOT expect that ending AT ALL. That was the best part. I loved the integration of the ravens especially Poe. Every character jumped off the page. I had no problem visualizing each one.

So glad I got this. I’m going to get your other book as well! I love your writing style. Fast paced yet descriptive.

💛

[Audra Falk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daybreak On Raven Island
Fleur Bradley
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
middle grade mystery
Taylor Swift singalong: You're On Your Own, Kid

This is a fun adventure/mystery for middle grade readers (approx ages 10-12). Three kids go on a school field trip to an island with a closed-down prison. Think Alcatraz. Of course they miss the only ferry ride home, and end up spending the night on the island along with the island's owner and a party of ghost hunters. (Yes, this is a ghost story.)

The quick pace, short chapters, and changing perspectives among the three students all keep the story moving along nicely. Plenty of action and adventure ensue throughout the night!

One student has an older brother who is in jail, and through her character readers get a nicely handled intro on the topic of prison reform and empathy for families dealing with incarceration.

I definitely enjoyed Midnight at the Barclay Hotel more (the author included some nice nods to more "mature" readers!), but considering I am not the target audience here, I expect readers will be thrilled with Bradley's newest. I am already looking forward to her next book!

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling MG paranormal book inspired by Alcatraz Prison.
👻
Tori, Marvin and Noah are headed to Raven Island prison for a school field trip, but aren’t excited about it. Something is off about the whole island and that feeling shoots into overdrive when Marvin causes them to stay behind and miss the ferry. Now the kids are stuck on the island overnight. After sneaking out of the owner’s bedroom they’ve been locked in, they realize someone has been murdered. Desperate to find out what happened tonight and fifty years ago at the prison, the kids go into detective mode.
🔐
This was such a great middle grade book and I’m thrilled it was nominated for the @txbbaward so more kids will be exposed to it. The kids were likable, each having their own demons they were struggling with and even though it was a spooky/mystery vibe, it discussed a very real issue our country is struggling with: prison reform. This would be a great whole class novel to discuss the various topics that arise. @fleurbradley @innocenceproject

CW: prison/incarceration, parental death (off page), grief, murder, gun use, violence (all age appropriate), drowning

[Chris Velazquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book, after a field trip to explore an old abandoned prison on an island, three kids are left behind and must solve not just a murder, but also find out the secret of the island and if it's haunted or not.

There's honestly not much I can say about this book. Some characters feel flat, others are well fleshed out, including two of the three kids, who are quite well written with very realistic issues and traumas (not so much the third kid, who I could never warm up to, he was just impulsive and often selfish). The setting is great, so it's enjoyable to explore it as the kids do, but often it just starts rehashing, and the book does often get repetitive (how many times did they have to walk through the woods?) and slow; too slow, I'd say. There are some good messages in the book regarding prison reform and how trauma can affect children, and the ending felt satisfactory to me.

I don't know, I often write long reviews, just don't feel like I can with this one. It's not a great book, but it's also not bad. It's a decent book, had the potential to be much better, but I'm glad I read it.