What do you think?
Rate this book
Jock's Island
Book by Elizabeth Jane Coatsworth
80 pages, Paperback
First published October 21, 1963
57 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Coatsworth
179 books47 followersElizabeth Jane Coatsworth was best known as the author of Away Goes Sally, The Cat Who Went to Heaven, which won the 1931 Newbery Medal, and the four Incredible Tales, but in fact she wrote more than 90 books for children. She was extremely interested in the world around her, particularly the people of Maine, as well as the houses and the surrounding land. She also loved the history and myths of her favorite places, those near her home and those encountered on her countless travels.
Coatsworth graduated from Vassar College in 1915 and received a Master of Arts from Columbia University in 1916. In 1929, she married writer Henry Beston, with whom she had two children. When she was in her thirties, her first books of adult poetry were published. For over fifty years, she continued to write and publish poetry in collections and to weave poems between the chapters of her books of fiction.
Coatsworth graduated from Vassar College in 1915 and received a Master of Arts from Columbia University in 1916. In 1929, she married writer Henry Beston, with whom she had two children. When she was in her thirties, her first books of adult poetry were published. For over fifty years, she continued to write and publish poetry in collections and to weave poems between the chapters of her books of fiction.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 20, 2017
We found this in a charity shop, the cover attracted us as we love dog stories and the volcano errupting behind the dog suggested an exciting short read. The story is told from the dogs perspective so it was slightly confusing as this did mean I felt confused about what was happening. The end chapter makes a reference to the errupting volcano but I wonder if a child reading this would make the connection between people leaving the island and the scene at the beginning of the story where Jock a working sheep dog finds other dogs shot
There are some nice pencil drawings and descriptions of life on a harsh isolated but beautiful island and an interesting discovery in a cave. The other confusing element of this book is that it has the feel of a true life story but seems to be set on an English or Scottish island none of which have volcanoes, least of all active ones!
There are some nice pencil drawings and descriptions of life on a harsh isolated but beautiful island and an interesting discovery in a cave. The other confusing element of this book is that it has the feel of a true life story but seems to be set on an English or Scottish island none of which have volcanoes, least of all active ones!
April 6, 2019
Lovely quiet story for those who know that some dogs are much more intelligent, and brave, than some people know. I am so very glad that Jock finds an even better life/ family than the one he had.
I would like to know where the heck this island actually is, though... 1600 miles from next closest inhabited land, somewhere between Africa and S. America... ?
Edit - very likely the island is Tristan da Cunha. Google it; it's interesting!
I would like to know where the heck this island actually is, though... 1600 miles from next closest inhabited land, somewhere between Africa and S. America... ?
Edit - very likely the island is Tristan da Cunha. Google it; it's interesting!
July 4, 2017
What attracted me to this book was the stunning artwork of the cover and with a simple name there is no giveaway as to what will go on. Due to it being a vintage book the story is definitely on the outdated side but a stunning read for those willing to try its old pages.
Although basically not tending to put too much emotion into Jock, Elizabeth does a great job in putting in the emotional side of a struggling heart fighting against the unknown scary events around him with the job of duty. And taking the struggling collie from an almost drear and hopeless survival existence into a world where hope is renewed.
Like some of her other books Elizabeth Coatsworth has a beautiful way of describing her character's world, making her characters realistic and setting an emotional message within an easy-to-read plot. There is some questionable material for a much younger audience yet the story is one that I would recommend for young adults interested in a good read.
~A Book From Your Childhood~
Although basically not tending to put too much emotion into Jock, Elizabeth does a great job in putting in the emotional side of a struggling heart fighting against the unknown scary events around him with the job of duty. And taking the struggling collie from an almost drear and hopeless survival existence into a world where hope is renewed.
Like some of her other books Elizabeth Coatsworth has a beautiful way of describing her character's world, making her characters realistic and setting an emotional message within an easy-to-read plot. There is some questionable material for a much younger audience yet the story is one that I would recommend for young adults interested in a good read.
~A Book From Your Childhood~
August 2, 2008
I personally did not care for this book as a choice to read to my daughter. Emily picked it out and insisted I read it to her. I think it was a little too much for a 5 year old - volcano explodes, and lots of animals die. She likes animals so I think that is why she put 5 stars because it was about a dog.
Emily (5 1/2 years old): The book is about Jock the dog. The saddest part was all the dogs dying from the volcano. I gave it five stars because I liked it - it was fun.
Emily (5 1/2 years old): The book is about Jock the dog. The saddest part was all the dogs dying from the volcano. I gave it five stars because I liked it - it was fun.
March 28, 2013
“A Dog of Honor and Heart”
On a remote, unnamed volcanic island off Britain there is a small fishing village and cannery. Besides fishermen there are many hardy inhabitants who tend their herds of sheep, goats and cows. An intelligent, bushy border collie named Jock works faithfully for Old Tom; between them exist respect and loyalty for each other, but no real bond of love. High up on the mountain herding straggler sheep Jock finally returns to the village below—-- to discover that all the people have departed and all the dogs have been shot! A government boat had been sent to evacuate the inhabitants after an unexpected volcanic eruption.
Stunned and isolated from human direction Jock continues his loyal herding of the remaining sheep—so strong has Tradition been bred into his canine bones. Long weeks on the cold mountain tops fighting predators (even a bellicose young ram) wear him thin and ragged, while the village turns into a feline army of ferocious scavengers. Will the heart of this noble creature--who can’t understand what happened to his master or that he will never return—ever know the joy of human love? A poignant short book which will touch the hearts of readers of all ages.
(March 28, 2013. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
On a remote, unnamed volcanic island off Britain there is a small fishing village and cannery. Besides fishermen there are many hardy inhabitants who tend their herds of sheep, goats and cows. An intelligent, bushy border collie named Jock works faithfully for Old Tom; between them exist respect and loyalty for each other, but no real bond of love. High up on the mountain herding straggler sheep Jock finally returns to the village below—-- to discover that all the people have departed and all the dogs have been shot! A government boat had been sent to evacuate the inhabitants after an unexpected volcanic eruption.
Stunned and isolated from human direction Jock continues his loyal herding of the remaining sheep—so strong has Tradition been bred into his canine bones. Long weeks on the cold mountain tops fighting predators (even a bellicose young ram) wear him thin and ragged, while the village turns into a feline army of ferocious scavengers. Will the heart of this noble creature--who can’t understand what happened to his master or that he will never return—ever know the joy of human love? A poignant short book which will touch the hearts of readers of all ages.
(March 28, 2013. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
August 5, 2011
One of the FIRST ever books I ever read. I am pretty sure this book is ancient. I read this as a kid, and the book was in pretty bad shape, but I loved it!
November 12, 2017
Jock is a border collie who lives and works on a volcanic island. His owner sends him off to collect the sheep. When he returns all with his charges, everyone is gone. They have been evacuated because of volcanic activity. How Jock survives and who he meets is the bulk of the story. The pencil drawings are good and sometimes foreshadow the next page in the story.
For me the story incited my interest in history and science. How do the ocean currents carry wreckage that far? Why does it wash up in certain areas? What kind of cultures were on the islands before they were settled by Europeans? I particular like how the author respected the dead at the archeological site. Are islands in the ocean all comprised of old volcanoes? How safe are they? The time period seemed to be somewhere in the 1800's. It would be fun to look for clues in the book to see if I could pin down where the island was on a map and the time period. The author dropped many hints in describing scenes. Geological differences on the island and how they came about could also be examined from the various descriptions.
It is a short enough chapter book that you could read it as a class and tie it into appropriate social students or science lessons. You could even extend it into math with mapping and distance = rate X time to calculate Jock's travels or the human's travels.
It is graphic in that all the other domestic dogs are shot and their bodies left. Many were killed at the docks. The dogs weren't allowed to go and if left alive would savage the other domestic birds and animals that are left behind. The transition from domestic to feral in the cats is described in the scenes to help support the situation.
For me the story incited my interest in history and science. How do the ocean currents carry wreckage that far? Why does it wash up in certain areas? What kind of cultures were on the islands before they were settled by Europeans? I particular like how the author respected the dead at the archeological site. Are islands in the ocean all comprised of old volcanoes? How safe are they? The time period seemed to be somewhere in the 1800's. It would be fun to look for clues in the book to see if I could pin down where the island was on a map and the time period. The author dropped many hints in describing scenes. Geological differences on the island and how they came about could also be examined from the various descriptions.
It is a short enough chapter book that you could read it as a class and tie it into appropriate social students or science lessons. You could even extend it into math with mapping and distance = rate X time to calculate Jock's travels or the human's travels.
It is graphic in that all the other domestic dogs are shot and their bodies left. Many were killed at the docks. The dogs weren't allowed to go and if left alive would savage the other domestic birds and animals that are left behind. The transition from domestic to feral in the cats is described in the scenes to help support the situation.
March 3, 2024
Elizabeth Coatsworth, why would you do this to me. I genuinely cannot get over the imagery of all the dead dogs, or the equal sadness of all the cats left loose to fend for themselves, eventually growing scrawny and often injured from fighting over food.
The writing otherwise is nice enough, and the ending is ostensibly happy -- Jack lives and . But the whole premise is just so sad, I feel like I might have cried over this and possibly refused to finish it as a kid. This is a dog book that can disappear and stay gone with no great loss to the world, in my opinion.
The writing otherwise is nice enough, and the ending is ostensibly happy -- Jack lives and . But the whole premise is just so sad, I feel like I might have cried over this and possibly refused to finish it as a kid. This is a dog book that can disappear and stay gone with no great loss to the world, in my opinion.
March 16, 2023
A quick note with a spoiler.
I bought this book hoping my daughter Eve, a major dog lover, would enjoy it, but I'm not going to give it to her now. All the other dogs on the island, besides Jock, were shot unnecessarily and the ending was kind of abrupt.
I bought this book hoping my daughter Eve, a major dog lover, would enjoy it, but I'm not going to give it to her now. All the other dogs on the island, besides Jock, were shot unnecessarily and the ending was kind of abrupt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2017
B+. children's book, grade 3, adventure, mystery, animal story, Cornwall, volcano, Mom's stash, keep
November 29, 2012
I honestly don't know if this book was any good or not, but at the time I loved it, so it gets five stars. It is the first 'novel' I ever read, the year was maybe 1975 and I was around 10. I loved it and have been reading ever since. So well done Ms. Coatsworth! You may not have planned it this way, but you will have to take credit for changing my life, and now, I'm a writer!
September 5, 2021
Third read, and this book somehow seems more delightful with each read.
Read aloud this time to a group spanning 85 years in age, and all enjoyed it greatly.
It's sad this book hasn't received more attention. Elizabeth Coatsworth created a true gem in this little book.
Read aloud this time to a group spanning 85 years in age, and all enjoyed it greatly.
It's sad this book hasn't received more attention. Elizabeth Coatsworth created a true gem in this little book.
February 9, 2008
This is a book about a dog that I actually didn't care for as much as I thought I would
September 20, 2008
This book has a lot of descriptive language.
March 31, 2015
Loved it!!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews