Bibliomusings: Nim's Island--Wendy Orr

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Nim's Island--Wendy Orr

Genre: Children's fiction/literature
Year Published: 1999
Pages: 125
Rating: 4

I took my son to see this movie and fell completely in love--so completely that I bought the book the next day. Nim and her father live alone on a deserted tropical island--alone, that is, insofar as human contact goes. They have plenty of companions of non-human type. Nim is a bright, vibrant, courageous and resourceful girl who loves reading adventure novels, but when her father is lost at sea she finds herself alone and frightened. By a twist of fate, her favorite adventure hero/writer emails her father! Nim turns to Alex Rover for guidance and help--little realizing that Alex is not only a woman, but a neurotic germaphobe who hasn't left her house in years. I will say no more, except that their unlikely friendship teaches them both something about themselves and others.

I thought this was a great piece of children's literature. It is fantastical and unrealistic, but the truths it uncovers are not. And it provides us with two strong female characters, as well as a lesson that our strength and courage can manifest in a variety of ways.

Challenge/s: None
Book a Week # 18

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