The Islands of Elsewhere

by Heather Fawcett

With hints of magic and plenty of adventure, this seaside story of siblings on a hunt for treasure is just right for fans of The Penderwicks and The Vanderbeekers.

Not many kids have an island in their backyard, but suddenly, the Snolly sisters have three. They're staying at Granddaddy's seaside property for the summer, which includes the mysterious Fairy Islands: Fairy, Little Fairy, and Ghost. The people in Misty Cove call them "in-between places," and say they're full of magic--a magic that gets inside you.

But ten-year-old Bee Snolly doesn't believe in magic--she just wants to help her ill Granddaddy. And if she and her sisters can unravel the mystery of the Fairy Islands in time, they may discover a long-buried secret that could help them all.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Audiobook, Fiction, Magical Realism, Family, Canada

Audiobook

First published June 20, 2023

About the author

Hello! Welcome to my page.

I'm the author of books for adults and children, including Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, Even the Darkest Stars, Ember and the Ice Dragons, The School Between Winter and Fairyland, and more.

I'm only occasionally on Goodreads, so if you want a more reliable way to get in contact with me, I'd recommend using social media (I'm on Instagram and Facebook) or the contact form on my website.

Review policy: I only review books that I love, which is why you'll only see 4 and 5 star reviews here. Because readers often ask me about my favourite books and authors, I'm aiming to use this page as a place to collect all of my recommendations.

Also, I am NOT the author of More Than a Mom: Living a Full And Balanced Life When Your Child Has Special Needs. I've asked Goodreads to remove it from my page several times but it keeps getting re-added. If you have questions about this title, please direct them to the other Heather Fawcett!

Reviews

[Cindy Pham]

read this for a book club. i enjoy emily wilde and fawcett's writing but i think middle grade just isn't for me!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up.
A big thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss+ for letting me have access to an egalley in exchange for an honest review!

Y'all I haven't read everything she's written, but I don't think Heather Fawcett could write a bad book if she tried. She's put out three great books in a row! (4 if you count the upcoming Emily Wilde #2, which is a banger) This one is her first contemporary work, and I knew that going in, but I still kept waiting for fairies to show up. If you're wondering if they do or not: SPOILER no, but there is definitely something magical about those islands. there might have been fairies offscreen? who knows

What really makes this book shine are the characters. Fawcett writes children so well - the Snolly sisters (great name, btw) are all complex, unique individuals while still definitely being sisters and definitely talking and acting the way that real children at their respective ages might.
I also liked their family structure, as I'm sure there are lots of kids out there who will be able to see their own family in it: Mom and Dad are amicably separated, the girls all have Mom's last name, Mom and Dad actively work together to parent their kids... it's a warm and supportive environment for the kids while still being a little bit messy. It's also an important read for kiddos who have a loved one with Alzheimer's (or something similar); Granddaddy's illness is handled sensitively, but without sugarcoating anything.

Anyway, the long and short of it is that this is a sweet, funny contemporary middle grade adventure full of love and Summer Vibes.

[Mikala · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was kind of a "background" listen for me. I just threw it on while I was at my computer and listened in one sitting.
I enjoyed this but I wasn't blown away. It was pretty average and didn't stand out to me very much, although it was a very easy and quick read.
I would try more from this author in the future.

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adored Heather Fawcett's "Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries", and decided to check out this middle grade book on that basis.

Three sisters and their mother arrive on the west coast of British Columbia (BC) to spend the summer with their grandfather, who is in the early stages of Alzheimer's. His daughter is there to assess his health and ability to continue to function on his own, while the sisters are there to be sensitive to his occasional lapses, while enjoying the freedom of summer and the beautiful beach.

Quickly, the sisters discover that there are stories of piracy connecting their town of Misty Cove and the nearby islands to one of their ancestors, their grandfather's grandmother, Lucy Juniper. The girls decide to find possible treasure left behind by this unusual, exciting woman.

There are stories surround the islands, of them being "in-between places" and magical, which fuels the sisters' imagination, though the eldest, feet firmly rooted on the ground and in science, pooh-poohs this, despite odd, little occurrences.

Fawcett does a great job of characterizing the three sisters, Hattie 12, Bee 9, and Plum 8, as well as their baby brother, their mother and grandfather. The girls' sniping and frustrations with each others' beliefs and behaviours felt spot-on, while Fawcett also presents a family dealing with some heavy stuff. The girls' parents are divorced and doing their best to give the girls lots of love and time with them, while their grandfather's condition, despite its early stages, signals some tough decisions are coming eventually for the family.

So while there is a sense of otherworldliness to the narrative, the story is mainly about family, respect, and growing up. I'll have to check out more of Fawcett's work based on how much I liked this and her Emily Wilde book.

[the tortured poets department · Rating 4 out of 5]

EEEEEEEP I LOVED THIS SO MUCH
it was so funny and cute and atmospheric and lovely and special. i adored hattie and plum especially, and i enjoyed the magical descriptions of the islands and the banter between the characters. this is a delicious blend of 'the penderwicks' and 'my neighbor totoro', with maybe a dash of 'the secret garden' and 'amphibia'? i need a sequel immediately!!!!!!!!

[Mogsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2023/07/08/...

Earlier this year, Heather Fawcett took my breath away with her thoroughly charming, absolutely enchanting novel Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries. So, when presented with an opportunity to review her new novel, albeit one intended for Middle Grade, I did not hesitate for a second.

Steeped in magic and adventure, The Islands of Elsewhere follows the children of the Snolly family who travel to the Pacific coast of British Columbia where their grandfather lives. It’s summertime and the three older sisters—Hattie, 12; Bee, 10, and Plum, 8—are looking forward to a few weeks of sea and sunshine along with their baby brother in the appealingly named town of Misty Cove. But their mother also warns of a more serious reason for their visit. Their grandfather isn’t well, she tells the girls, and they’re here to keep an eye on him and offer him whatever help he needs.

Readers are able to quickly discern from clues that the children’s grandfather is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia, but the sisters are not aware of this. To them, granddaddy doesn’t look to be too ill. In fact, he’s his usual cheery self, baking cookies with the girls and telling them tales of his own grandmother, the witch pirate known as Lucy Juniper. A local legend in Misty Cove, she is said to have sailed the waters around the village, using her spoils to help the poor. From their grandfather’s seaside property, the Snolly sisters can see a cluster of three islands close to shore—known as Fairy Fairy, Little Fairy, and Ghost—and the story also claims that Lucy Juniper had hidden her treasure on one of them.

Whether or not these legends are true, there’s definitely something special about the trio of islands. The locals refer to them as the “in-between places” and say they are magical, which only makes the Snolly sisters even more curious. Perhaps, if they were to explore the islands and chance upon Lucy Juniper’s treasure, they can follow in the footsteps of their great-great-grandmother and help others, staying in Misty Cove forever to care for their sick granddaddy.

While the writing style is technically best suited for middle grade children or younger teen readers, I have to say the reasons that make this novel stand out and why it’s worth checking out can be applied to all book lovers and fantasy fans of any age. Even though the characters are young, the themes in this story are sophisticated, complex, and—most importantly—they feel real. The Snolly sisters embody qualities that anyone can related to: Hattie, the oldest, has an artistic soul and is caught between the responsibilities of maturity and clinging to the artifacts of her childhood; Bee, who receives the most focus in the book, is the science-y one who doesn’t believe in magic but is nonetheless willing to do anything to help her family; and Plum, the youngest and the freewheeler who delights in dressing up in costumes is simply enjoying all the wonderful things life has to offer.

Despite not being the target audience, I am also no less impressed by the storytelling. The tone is lighthearted and warm, but Fawcett still manages to weave in heavier topics without derailing the book’s spirit of fun and adventure. The children’s parents are divorced but by all accounts the separation was cordial, and mom and dad are still friends who are completely supportive of each other and their kids. Their grandfather’s deteriorating condition is a constant presence but is also handled gracefully by not letting it define his character, though neither does the story shy away from the challenges and realities of living with a family member who has dementia. It’s hard not to be touched by how much love there is in this family; at times it almost overwhelms.

For these reasons, The Islands of Elsewhere almost feels like a contemporary fiction story about family, life changes, and growing up. However, there is most certainly a strong undercurrent of fantasy here, perhaps enough to make this novel fall comfortably into the magical realism category. All in all, it is a refreshing read, perfect for those sun-soaked summer days that take you back to less complicated times when everything seemed possible.

[Katy O. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful lightly magical MG family fiction ~ perfect for fans of the Penderwicks and the Vanderbeekers!

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute! I feel like the best audience would be younger Middle Grade, as opposed to Middle Grade that has teen or adult appeal as well.

The setting was a bit mystical, what with the seaside house and islands where there may be a hidden treasure. The Octopus Octopus Octopus restaurant was quirky and fun. Bee, Hattie, and Plum were distinct and had unique personalities. I almost wish we had more time to get to know them!

There were mentions of the Snolly sisters' grandpa having some sort of memory issue (think dementia or Alzheimer's), and it makes some of the sisters anxious at times. The girls' parents are separated, but amicably, and they have a good relationship with both.

Cute, summer read, especially for younger readers!

[Meagan Khatthaname · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute! I have loved all of Heather Fawcett's children's books.

Second read: I read it aloud to my 7yo and she loved it too!

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mom, Hattie, Bee, Plum, and baby Dore are spending the summer with Granddaddy. Granddaddy's memory is starting to go and they are worried about him. The girls wish that they could just move to live with Granddaddy full time. They love his house on the sea and the Fairy Islands just off shore that locals claim are visited by real fairies and possibly the ghost of their great-great-grandmother who locals called both a pirate and a witch. Could their grand-granny have left treasure on those islands that would solve the question of how they can move here full time?

Hattie is the eldest sister who is artsy sister and still maybe believes in magic. Bee is the no-nonsense buddy botanist 2nd sister who likes facts and doesn't believe in magic. Plum is the hyper 3rd sister who always is wearing a different costume and is constantly in motion. Mab is their fellow explorer, the family one-eyed cat (also featured on the cover). Granddaddy is a sweet old man who loves to surf, knows the land, and is on a constant quest for the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe. (This book may require a variety of chocolate chip cookies on hand.) Bee and Hattie have an interesting dynamic in that Bee is the bossiest and often takes charge contrary to the norm. There's a little tension between them because of this that they have to work out. The town where Granddaddy lives is filled with quirky characters like Galaxy who runs the only restaurant in town and includes octopus in every dish (even the milkshakes). This reads almost entirely like contemporary fiction, though in a whimsical setting that sometimes has the girls and readers wondering if a touch of magic isn't involved. They make some discoveries that seem very handily linked to some nightmare-ish dreams Bee has about her Grand-Granny. You can argue either way as to whether magic is involved or not. Those dreams get a little creepy, but the rest of the story is just a feel good adventure of family exploring and growing attached to the land their ancestors have held for many, many years.

Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: Part of the lore of the Fairy Islands involves a number of fatal shipwrecks in calm seas that seem exceedingly odd. A death of a ship captain is blamed on their Grand-Granny though some think the man died of a heart attack before she pirated the ship. Two of the girls wade out to an island during low tide but one almost gets swept away. Beyond that, nothing worse than a skinned knee.
Ethnic diversity: The girls come from a White family. Some in the community are of Asian or Black heritage.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified.
Other: As mentioned, Bee's dreams get a bit creepy at times. Granddaddy has a form of dementia that is getting worse. The girls parents are divorced but are still amicable; their father leaving is something the girls are still dealing with at times (though he makes good efforts to see them regularly).

[Micaiah Boyea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and magical book. It didn’t speak to me as much as Grace did, but I do often prefer a more antique and/or fantastical setting for my fantasy and this was modern. I loved that each sister had their own special talent and personality, and that they were so attainable. Plum was basically just the fun, energetic costume wearer- that’s definitely something most kids can do! And it’s something that is valuable in this world- we need the comedic relief, the sunshine people, the free spirits, the little bit of chaos, to balance everything out. Bea’s special talent was science and being methodical in her approach to things: also valuable and attainable! In the noise of so many “chosen one with special powers” books, it’s nice to see normal kids doing ordinary things but presented in a way that felt, to me, celebrated. I mean, I love me some special powers books too, but balance is good!

This was more of a gentle and quiet book, although there were some parts in it that were pretty exciting and even spooky. The magic is left for you to decide if it was real or not, which I liked and think fit with the setting. The sister relationship felt pretty real, with squabbles and mismatched beliefs, but they always circled back to loving and supporting each other, and you could see a little emotional growth by the end of the book.

All in all, definitely something I would recommend for any kid age 7 and up.

[Kimberlin Whitsitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75! I loved the relationship B has with her sisters, the way they looked out for each other. I loved the hints at challenges they were facing. Separated parents, their grandpa had early stages of what sounded like Alzheimer’s. Really threw me back into childhood and how much fun it is to be a kid! Their perspectives are magical and it made me wish I could be a kid again for a day and explore an “island” for treasure left behind by my great great grandmother. Such a sweet book and I really enjoyed the audio.

[Lauren]

What a sweet little book! I love the Snolly sisters (and brother, and Mab the cat) and would gladly go on more adventures with them. If you're looking for a book that feels like My Neighbor Totoro, this is it.

[Cammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute! It borrowed liberally from the Pendwericks, which made me endeared to the kids more, but I also loved that their parents were very involved and not just letting them fend for themselves the way Mr. Penderwick did. I gotta say I couldn't really visualize the islands despite them being described so often, and by the end, I still couldn't tell which sister was the oldest.

I was a little disappointed by the way the mystery ended at the end... it sort of felt like we had all of this buildup for no real reason, when the ending was kind of like "The real treasure is the friends we made along the way."

[Allison Turkish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, for me this was a meh. The story didn't interest me the whole time despite the great character development.

I like the great Misdirection backpack.

[literarybutterfly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for a book club since we all love Fawcett’s Emily Wilde series. The Islands of Elsewhere is a cute middle grade book that sort of teeters the line of fantasy - you’re not given any answers and left wondering if certain things that happened were influenced by magic or if it’s just real life. I liked that it incorporated difficult topics such as dementia and co-parenting in an age appropriate way. While it certainly doesn’t live up to Emily Wilde, I think children in the target age range could really enjoy this book.

[Taylor Galvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute middle grade. Definitely skews on the younger end of MG

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Snolly family has piled into their car to visit their Granddaddy on the Pacific coast of Canada for three weeks this summer. While there will of course be relaxing moments of vacation, the Snollys are also there to observe their Granddaddy and determine if he is still able to safely care for himself. Granddaddy lives in the small town of Misty Cove, where everyone knows everyone else and Granddaddy’s family has resided for generations. But Misty Cove is more than just a cute coastal village; it also contains mystery and intrigue, both of which lead the Snolly sisters on a fantastic adventure to discover the truth of the past and a way to help ensure a positive future for their beloved grandfather.

This lovely story is a fast-paced, heartfelt tale that is ideally suited to middle grade readers. The Snolly family has four children, ranging in age from baby to early adolescent, and each character has a unique personality and interests that help contribute to the overall narrative. Though the story is presented in the third person, Bee—the ten-year-old second child—takes the primary focus. She is driven by science and is brave and daring, and she is determined to improve her grandfather’s life no matter what it takes. Bee’s tenacity and heart are endearing throughout the story, and readers will delight in discovering each new puzzle piece alongside her.

Ample white space, frequent dialogue, and a driving plot keep younger middle grade readers connected to the story while they are immersed within it. Rich descriptions bring the town of Misty Cove to life, and the details found within the accessible text paint a vivid picture of the Snollys and their experiences. Readers who enjoy stories that encompass fairy tales, family history, occasional scary moments, and general folklore will appreciate the delivery of this book and its overall trajectory, especially as otherwise mundane circumstances take on a different hue. Entertaining and filled with thoughtful moments, this story is at once a charming mystery/adventure and a love letter to families whose loved ones are struggling with dementia. This is a well-crafted addition to library collections for middle grade readers.

[Margaret Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since reading Heather Fawcett's wonderful adult historical fantasy, MISS EMILY WILDE'S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF FAERIES, I've read several of her children's books, none of which has disappointed me. THE ISLANDS OF ELSEWHERE impresses me as a "cozy" fantasy in the tradition of Edward Eager (one of my favorite children's authors) and his inspiration, E. Nesbit. Fawcett's novel, though, features contemporary elements, divorced parents (although apparently amicably) and a grandfather in the early phase of Alzheimer's disease. It retains the typical set-up of the magical (maybe) adventures of a family of siblings, in this case three sisters, ages twelve, ten, and eight, and their baby brother. It's interesting that the oldest, on the cusp of adolescence, still believes in magic, while Bee, age ten, the main viewpoint character, insists on order, logic, and science. They and their mother move in temporarily to help their mother's father and assess his capacity to keep living on his own. His seaside property includes the tiny islands of the title, and his own grandmother was a Robin-Hood sort of local pirate during the Depression, also half-seriously suspected of witchcraft. The sisters decide to search the island where their great-great-grandmother lived in hopes of finding a stash of treasure. If they succeed in that goal, maybe their mother can afford to quit her job so they can live with their grandfather full-time and take care of him. A very E. Nesbit type of plot! The descriptions of the landscape, the small town, and its quirky residents are captivating. The individual characters of the sisters are equally fascinating and believably individual. The story's genre might almost be labeled magical realism, for until the climactic discovery every strange event could be explained as coincidence or a natural phenomenon. The happy ending is satisfying without being an extravagant Cinderella-tale wish fulfillment.

Note: For some reason this review is getting attached to the audiobook. I read the hardcover but haven't been able to change that feature. "Change edition" doesn't alter the page on which the review appears. Sorry!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heather Fawcett amazes me so much. She's a local (to me) author and she just keeps pumping out books at a wild pace! It's been so great to see her first adult book, Emily Wilde, getting so much praise, but don't sleep on her YA and middle grade books! She never disappoints and consistently knocks it out of the park with her settings.

I'm still working my way through her middle grade books, but I read this one was about Vancouver Island and bumped it up on my list. She writes mostly fantasy, but I would say this book is more magical realism or fantasy lite. There's some ghosty references, but otherwise it's pretty much fiction.

Anyways, she nails the setting as usual. The Islands Of Elsewhere is about the 3 Snolly sisters, who travel to their granddaddy's property in coastal Vancouver Island for the summer to help their mom look after him as he battles dementia. They learn about a potential buried treasure that they believe would enable them to move to their granddaddy's property permanently to look after him, so they set out to explore the nearby fairy islands.

It's a nice family story, with just enough spookyness from the remote setting. It's a fictional town, but it's clearly modeled after Tofino, so I loved imagining the 3 sisters running around the beaches and exploring coves. It's a fun and lighthearted read, my only criticism would be that it's maybe a little too conveniently packaged in the end. Lots of children likely have had or will have exposure to their grandparents becoming forgetful and I would have liked to see that theme explored in a little more depth. It's sad, but children are resilient.

Otherwise, a really quick and nice summer read (though I read it in December lol).

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

"At the root of every fairy tale is science."

The Islands of Elsewhere follows the Snolly sisters, as they spent their summer holidays at their grandfather's house by the sea. And not only is the sea right there, so are three mysterious islands that are filled with legends, pirates, and maybe magic. But Bee doesn't believe in magic, she just wants to help her ill grandfather. And perhaps a magic secret buried at the islands will help her do so.

Fawcett is one of my all-time favourite authors! I absolutely adore her writing style and sense of whimsy that she brings into each of her novels. I count of middle-grade, YA, and adult novels as some of my favourite books I have ever read, and every new release of hers, I will absolutely read.

But The Islands of Elsewhere feels very different from her other novels, with the exception of A Galaxy of Whales. Both of these are predominantly contemporary children's books which touches upon quite heavy topics, climate change, money problems, and family illness. I think that these all have their place in books for children, and Fawcett definitely has a tough job, including these topics in a palatable way.

And that is probably where I have to stress that this book was not written for me, as I am way older than the target demographic. So I wanted the books to go more into these heavy topics and felt kind of dissatisfied with the ending. But a child will probably like it.

However, all in all, I had a very pleasant time with the Snolly sisters, exploring their past and mysterious islands. It was overall a good book that I can definitely see children loving, so I would 100% recommend everything by Fawcett.

[Lydia Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Content Summary:

Romance: None concerned with the plot. Mentions divorced parents (very amicable) and the dad has a new girlfriend.
Violence & Gore: A character skins a knee lol
Profanity: None
Substance Use: None
Frightening/Triggering Scenes: A character is dreaming of a witch that seems very scary to the children. A grandfather has this "mysterious" disease that makes him forget things at random times. (Very good conversation starter for kids + parents regarding Alzheimer's/dementia). The sisters go out exploring often at night and the unsupervised excursions lead to tense situations. There are mentions of character deaths, but nothing graphic.
Audience Rating (My Opinion): PG

I wanted to read Heather Fawcett's backlist after reading and loving the Emily Wilde series. This book was really sweet and showed a very distinct group of sisters all of which have their quirks and personalities. Their bickering felt very real and I loved the entire family dynamic. I feel that the conversation around the grandfather was well done from the children's perspectives. I wish there would have been a little more plot and even character interactions with the locals. I think a bigger conversation about what the great granny did/didn't do and the town's feelings towards her. The best thing about this book is that Bee seems like a teeny tiny little scientific no-nonsense Emily Wilde and I think it's so stinking cute.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magical middle grade story. Sisters Bee, Hattie, and Plum are excited to be spending part of the summer at their grandfather's house, which is right on the beach. In fact, his property includes three small islands, the Fairy islands. How fun. Unfortunately there's a secondary reason for this trip: to check in on grandfather, who has been suffering from memory lapses recently. This summer will certainly be an experience. The Fairy Islands just might have some magic after all.

This is a lovely little story about family, with a tinge of magic. Absolutely loved the family dynamics here. The sisters feel like sisters, and realistic for their ages. Though their parents have divorced, it's clearly amicable, and the kids get to spend time with both their father and mother. Grandfather's Alzheimer's is introduced gently, and is a nice inclusion for a middle grade story like this. Kids this age may be experiencing similar situations with their own grandparents. The magical elements were slight, more magical realism than pure fantasy, but very enjoyable. The setting is well realized, and I loved following the Snolly sisters on this little adventure. Would recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Sirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three sisters, Hattie, Bea, and Plumb, are visiting their grandfather for the summer. Mom has warned them that his dementia is getting more noticeable, but the girls still have plenty of time to explore the local islands between collecting specimens, practicing for the sandcastle competition, and testing out homemade costumes. When Grandpa makes a few big mistakes, though, the sisters realize that they have to do something to help, and what better way than to find their great granny's missing treasure to help fund an extended stay?

If I hadn't so recently read as many books about siblings fighting and making up, I might rate this book higher. I love the setting and the mystery, and there's a delicious sense of wonder as we try to determine if the magic is real or not. Grandpa is a fantastic character who reminds us that mental illness doesn't take away who a person is or his capability to love. Quite the cozy little book.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple story about three sisters that explore the islands off the coast of their grandfather’s property. There are some scenes where the girls share their worries over their grandfather’s failing memory and those are touching. There are more scenes of the girls just exploring the islands in their search for treasure. In the end there are some scenes of possible ghosts or paranormal activity but it’s never entirely clear if those are just tricks of the mind or not. There are definitely hints throughout that things COULD be haunted or ghostly but you could also explain that away. I honestly find that a little annoying - particularly since I read this because this book was chosen as this year’s Reading Link book (a reading program for school libraries in my area) and I am likely going to need to discuss this book quite a lot in the next few months. I will default to “what do YOU think?” But I do prefer to fully understand what happened in books myself.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, as a reviewer mentioned, this does remind me a bit of the Penderwicks. Plum reminds me of Birdie, and she's my favorite. The ending isn't quite tied up neatly, so I'm hoping that means there's a sequel in the works. What I haven't seen mentioned, and maybe it's just me, but there seemed to be little illusions to the various plays of Shakespeare. I am not a Shakespeare scholar, but I saw hints of Macbeth, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Winter's Tale, Hamlet The Temptest , The Merchant of Venice, As You Like It and Romeo and Juliet. Did anyone else notice that? Again, I could be totally wrong, but I kept noticing it. Was it intentional? It made the book more interesting to me. I would have given it 5 stars except for the ambiguous ending. I would totally read a sequel though!

[Kay S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy Heather Fawcett's books. They always combine just enough mundanity into fantasy novels to make them really easy to fall into the sense of disbelief. This book is perfect for the kiddos: piracy, summering with grandparents, cookies, fairies, siblings, witches... At times, as an adult, it feels like too much. But I can see kids being awed by the combination of everything they love.

I also felt like it took a really long time to get to the fantastical part of the plot. There was a lot of preamble and history to get to the meat of the story. It felt like it was a huge set up for multiple more stories and to do so required a bunch of explanation and introduction to characters who were hardly important to the plot.

I did zip through it though. I enjoyed it!

[Kelly Green's Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this middle grade book quicker than Hattie, Plum and Bee could scarf down their grandfather’s newest chocolate chip cookie recipe!! What a magical adventure in treasure hunting, fairies, lost world’s and learning appreciation of the simple things.

I just adored the main characters and how unique they were and how well they each adjusted to new family situations. Each character was so exceptional that readers of all ages will certainly find a character to associate.

The setting and the secondary characters just add to the visual imagery of the story. I just can’t rave enough about this book. In fact, I would love to see a sequel…. I truly believe that the little key has another books worth in it 🥰🗝️

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best sister story I've ever read; I loved the bond the Snolly sisters share. Their loyalty and love for each other always triumph over the sibling squabbles. I enjoyed the multigenerational relationship and dealing with potential dementia.

The island made a fun setting and the ocean and sea creatures felt so real. I enjoyed the mystery and history this family had on the island. The danger level during the treasure hunt kept me reading at the edge of my seat.

This novel had me hooked right from the start and the magical realism always felt as if it was actually possible. I can't wait to read more books by this author. Thanks to Netgalley for my review copy.

[Crystal M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dude! A happy family with three daughters spend the summer with their grandfather experiencing the beginning stages of memory loss in a quirky small town on the PNW coast. Cute! Whimsical! Buried treasure! Mysterious islands! I listened to the audiobook in about five days, so maybe that's partially why it felt so sort? But I think some plot lines should have been expanded on for more emotional resonance, such as needing to find treasure for money to help their grandpa. Like, the money didn't feel dire/necessary. Also, there was no antagonist, other than a minor character/seaside bully, so it felt lower stakes, which I feel mixed about.

Would rec to kids 7-11. 8.3/10 B+