Genre: Historical fiction
Key Stage: KS3+
Rating: ★★★★★
The Island at the End of Everything by Kiran Millwood Hargrave (2017)
Plot: ‘The Island at the End of Everything’ is a novel based in the Philippines in Culion Island. This story is rooted in real events with a twist of magic through the eyes of Amihan, the daughter of one of the many ‘touched’ who she calls nanay. Unlike her mother, Ami is one of the untouched in the colony. Whether it was fortunate or not is up to her. But the arrival of the government official Mr Zamora, Ami’s life changes forever. Forced to leave to the mainland to stop the illness from ‘breeding’, Ami soon yearns for her mother and the blue seas and lush forests at home. With the help of Mari, she tries to get back home before it becomes too late..
Positives: Personally, I loved this book and how each page lured me to the next. While reading this book, I had not even realised that I was even reading- that was how engrossed I was into this story. Everything was described with such detail that I felt as if I was Ami and that I was in Culion.
Negatives: What negatives can I say if this was a 5 star for me?
Who I would recommend it to: I honestly would recommend it to everyone from KS3+ but even younger readers like Years 5 and 6. I can guarantee that you will connect to this book just like the I did. This story does explore themes of prejudice, difference and loss but they are deftly handled, and there is real emotional depth and poignancy to the story, which is at times heart-breaking but ultimately one filled with hope. So, if you dislike heart-breaking books with the separation of a loved one, it is best you look for another book.
Reviewer: Yaminah, Year 9