The Islanders

By: Mary Alice Monroe, Angela May

Narrated by: Michael Crouch

An instant New York Times bestseller!​

“Storytelling for young readers at its finest—equal parts summer adventure and environmental suspense…[a] love letter to family, friendship, and the natural world.” —Kwame Alexander, New York Times bestselling author of The Crossover

From New York Times bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe comes a beautiful story of friendship, loss, and the healing power of nature in her first book for middle grade readers.

Eleven-year-old Jake’s life has just turned upside-down. His father was wounded in Afghanistan, and his mother is going to leave to care for him. That means Jake’s spending the summer on tiny Dewees Island with his grandmother. The island is a nature sanctuary—no cars or paved roads, no stores or restaurants. To make matters worse, Jake’s grandmother doesn’t believe in cable or the internet. Which means Jake has no cell phone, no video games...and no friends. This is going to be the worst summer ever!

He’s barely on the island before he befriends two other kids—Macon, another “summer kid,” and Lovie, a know-it-all who lives there and shows both Jake and Macon the ropes of life on the island. All three are struggling with their own family issues and they quickly bond, going on adventures all over Dewees Island. Until one misadventure on an abandoned boat leads to community service. Their punishment? Mandatory duty on the Island Turtle Team. The kids must do a daily dawn patrol of the beach on the hunt for loggerhead sea turtle tracks. When a turtle nest is threatened by coyotes, the three friends must find a way to protect it. Can they save the turtle nest from predators? Can Jake’s growing love for the island and its inhabitants (be they two-legged, four-legged, feathered, or finned) help to heal his father?

Not just a kids book

Loved hearing about little lovey to keep the series familiars come to life in a new way. Can’t wait to listen to the next one.

Resilience, Discovery & Friendship

What a great story on resilience, discovery and friendship! This was loved any readers of all ages in our house.

Wonderful!

This book was very well written and researched and captured the very essence of middle school-age children. My two grandsons, ages nine and eleven visited us recently, and every time my husband and I took them out in the car to and from our various activities and outings, we listened to The Islanders. We were all captivated with the story and couldn't wait to get back in the car to finish listening! Well done!

The cover

I love everything best book ever all the books that I read where ok but this one is so relatable to me

Perfect! An inspiration for children of all ages!

Although the story was written from Jake's perspective, Little Lovie loomed large. I felt I knew her already from the beach house series. I laughed at their antics, cried through their pain, and rejoiced as they overcame challenges together.
Having followed the IOP turtle team from my home in Connecticut for years, I could easily imagine the joy the kids felt as they embraced their role as "The Dawn Patrol" .
Another well written story weaving family trials, the joy of friendship, and the emotional impact of nature. This time through the eyes of children.

The islanders

My grandsons loved this book!
Excellent book to keep things calm with four boys in the car. I love MAM’s books.

A new view

I bought this book in hardback for my daughter. She sat daily absorbing the book. Because of her interest, I ordered it on audible. Thank goodness I did. As a native of Charleston, I hear and feel the true description of what we -as kids and adults remember. This book delved Into the description of our days on the islands…Not the repetitive descriptions of horses clip clopping, confederate jasmine wafts and more.

This book highlights science, friendships, loss, disability, acceptance and growth to an extent where it’s not only for middle school readers.

Exceptional Narration

Loved this sweet story. Rated a 4 because at times it was slow, probably fitting for island life. Michael Crouch (narrator) was exceptional at micro-changes in voice and tone; I almost always knew who was talking with without the character being identified.

I love this line of books!

I have read all of The Beach House Books. They are my very favorites. All I can say is “wow, what a good story.” It reminded me of my own childhood. This one was different, but I loved it!

Kids loved it

Great story for kids and us parents liked it as well. Super diverse ideas and great lessons.