The Secret of Golden Island

Yakov has fled to England to escape the war at home. Skylar’s beloved grandfather is unwell.

When the two children meet, they recognise something in each other: a reckless desire to change things for the better… Then a competition is announced. To win a nearby island! Yakov and Skylar are convinced the island will make everything better, but the odds are stacked against them.

Taken from the blurb.

A new book by Natasha Farrant is something very special. In ‘The Secret of Golden Island’ she has, once again, produced a superb adventure story, full of warmth and wonder. She manages to create a very intimate atmosphere, appealing directly to the reader and taking them with her on the most wonderful escapades.

In Yakov and Skylar, she has created two very different characters, who are both emotionally vulnerable. Yakov has had to leave behind everything he knows, his home country torn by war. Skylar is struggling to cope with how ill the grandfather she adores is. The reader feels huge sympathy for each child, empathising with their situations as they try, in their different ways, to cope with, and make sense of, what is happening. When they come, together, each is able to offer the other some comfort and a deep friendship develops.

And together, they take on the adventure of a lifetime, facing challenges and dangers with determination and courage as the prospect of winning the island gives them both hope for the future. It is an absolute joy from start to finish, a captivating read, certain to become a firm favourite with teachers and their classes as well as those who enjoy an exciting bedtime story.

Can’t recommend this one highly enough!

The Secret of Golden Island

Natasha Farrant

Faber and Faber ISBN: 978-0571382507

You can read my review of ‘The Rescue of Ravenswood’ here, ‘Voyage of the Sparrowhawk’ here and ‘The Children of Castle Rock’ here.

The Rescue of Ravenswood

Ravenswood has been home to Bea and Raffy for as long as they can remember. To them, it’s perfect so when faced with the idea it could be sold, the children are determined to save it no matter what.

Natasha Farrant crafts the most beautiful stories which are full of heart and hope and in ‘The Rescue of Ravenswood’, she has captured the essence of the love of home and belonging, the topsy-turviness of family- however that is formed- and how special places can be.

Bold and brave, Bea is in her element at Ravenswood. However, she struggles with feelings of rejection by her parents, feeling she can never be the person they want her to be. Although not her ‘real’ sibling, Raffy and she are incredibly close, enjoying a special bond and balancing each other’s personalities. When Noa arrives, the dynamic between them changes and what was supposed to be their perfect summer seems threatened. Each character is full of personality and easy to engage and empathise with.

Ravenswood is special to the children in the way in which many people will be able to relate to the places in their lives, places which are worth fighting for and worth preserving for future generations. As the children bring everyone together to save their most precious place, certain truths come to light and ‘everything changes, but everything stays the same’.

There is so much to enjoy about this story. Natasha Farrant always offers something special and ‘The Rescue of Ravenswood’ is a real treasure.

The Rescue of Ravenswood Natasha Farrant

Faber ISBN: 978-0571348787

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

You can read my review of ‘Voyage of the Sparrowhawk’ here and ‘The Children of Castle Rock’ here.