When she meets the second survivor on the island we see Fran’s true mettle. She is a flawed character, earthy and real. Fran’s voice, too, is quirky and funny, immediate, and not always likeable. There is some wonderful language and beautiful imagery throughout the book the description of Fran’s little brother: ‘hands reaching out like stars’ will stay with me for quite some time. This is her story of survival, emotional growth, and acceptance of the devastating series of events which led her here. After finding herself on a survival course for difficult teens, Fran ends up stranded and alone (save for the pilot’s dog for company) on an unknown island after a plane crash. And, as it turns out, incredibly brave and resourceful. Fran is defensive, spiky, moody, difficult. The first-person narrative, told from a teenage girl’s point of view, concerns Fran, who has life issues which are gradually revealed throughout the book. Plus, the cover is extremely eye-catching I can definitely see this being picked up in my school library – teenagers judge a book by its cover just as much as adult readers. This YA novel from debut author Olivia Levez is no exception in this respect. There is something about a book whose setting is an island – the excitement of the unknown, the peril to be faced, the question of survival – that makes it hugely appealing.
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