I don't remember a lot about this book, being the last time I read it was over 15 years ago; but I remember the peace that I got from reading it, the calmness that I felt while I read it, especially when it seemed to me that the rest of my life was in turmoil. I credit this book with helping me through that time. ( )

There isn't much in The Island that seems to me markedly "young adult." I read this novel first at eleven or twelve and the light off of Wil's father's binoculars has stuck with me since. It isn't so tragic that we're observed, but that we're scrutinized and compacted into little understoods.

I'm the art type in a family of workers with retirement in mind, but I'm lucky. They get happiness, and interest, and creativity. They know I'm doing what feels good, and though they don't understand they also don't push.

I'm glad Wil gets through. He's exercising what we know as embodied research. His knowledge is not quantifiable, but only demonstrable, and he communicates this to his father, finally. This is good. Most are left with not quite understanding but a deep sense that there is more to be understood. The way we pay attention in the world means everything.

The Island says to take notice, mostly, and to be.

Deep... ( )

I don't remember the details of this one much, just that I read it in middle school (or very early high school) and enjoyed it. I really connected at the time with the main character – I wasn't quite as solitary as Wil, but I was an introverted teenager, so it felt like we had a lot in common. ( )

This is a book about a teenager named Will. Will has to leave all of his friends behind as he moves into a totally new world. He ends up coming across a small lake that has an island in the center. He starts to go there quite often. It is his favorite place to go because he can learn about nature. While being on the island so much, he comes to learn about himself as well. Everyone from town thinks he's kind of crazy since he is extremely antisocial now as he is constantly on the island.

I thought that this book was quite interesting. It was pleasant t read. I like the amount of detail put into describing everything about the island. I like this book especially because I can kind of relate to it. Sometimes I just want to go somewhere where people aren't around and I can be alone. The author did a great job describing the feelings of Will throughout the entire story. I would recommend this book to almost anyone. ( )