The Secret Island
Author:
Enid Blyton
Illustrator:
N/A
Published by:
Hodder Children's Books
First Published:
1 Jan 1938
Ideal for readers aged
6-9y
My Review
This was my absolute favourite book as a child, and I have re-read it countless times, both for my own enjoyment, and to my children! The idea of running away to a secret island, learning to survive without adults by doing dreamy things like building a willow house, foraging for wild strawberries, and bathing in the lake everyday, just sounds like a dream to any young reader! The balance of all the details of the ways in which the children find a way to live independently, and the constant threaten of being discovered and made to return to their troubled homes, provide the perfect amount of interest to keep the pages turning - and the inevitable happy ending still makes me cry! Themes of friendship and family (including adoption - spoiler alert!), ingenuity and bravery run all through the story. It's just perfect! If you want a book to inspire children to get outdoors, explore, and find their own adventures, this is the one!
Heads Up!
As in many of Blyton's books, the children are escaping from home environment where they are suffering at the hands of relatives - they are made to do endless chores, neglected, and punished if they don't perform adequately by their harsh and critical aunt. Blyton's message is clear though; no child should have to endure this kind of treatment!
This is the first in a series following the same group of four children; this book can be read as a stand alone though. It's also worth noting that 'The Secret Forest', previously published under the title 'The Secrets of Killimooin' is quite scary in places compared with the other books in the series, and has racist undertones, as. arguably, does 'The Secret Mountain'.