Island of Whispers written by Frances Hardinge and illustrated by Emily Gravett is a stunning story about a young boy named Milo who must take on the important job of carrying dead souls across the water when his father, the Ferryman, dies suddenly.
This story has seven fascinating chapters within the 126 pages. It is full of spirits, magic, ghosts, and fairytales. Milo understands that after a death, the shoes of those who have died must be delivered to the Ferryman quickly. If the family demands the shoes be returned and forcefully tries to get the shoes back, as they do in this story, there can be great problems in the land. “Wherever they walked the grass slowly turned brown, the crops wilted, fruit withered, fish died.”
As the story moves on, Milo’s efforts are courageous as he helps the wandering Dead get to the Island of the Broken Tower where they then can move on.
The outstanding pen and ink illustrations delivered in black,
white and indigo blue colors are breathtaking. The exceptional front and back covers are sprinkled with silver moths which become gold moths when the cover is moved ----a possible reminder that the story is full of growth, transformation, and change.
This wonderfully imaginative story written by Frances Hardinge and illustrated by Emily Gravett is for serious readers 12 and up who enjoy fantasy and excellent storytelling in both word and pictures (Two Hoots/ an imprint of Pan Macmillan) 2023.
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Activity Questions for Island of Whispers
What is your favorite illustration in this beautifully produced book? Why? Give your favorite illustration a name and then explain why you selected that illustration and that name.
The first person that the reader hears dies is the 12-year-old daughter of the Lord of Merlank. Although the family had given up her blue shoes as soon as she died, as was the order of things, her father, the next day, decided to get them back. What did he tell the Ferryman was the reason he wanted them back? Why was this request not able to be met by the Ferryman?
How did the use of black, white and blue colors move the book forth?
