The Islanders is a delightful story of friendship and family. I enjoyed all of the characters, the island setting and learning about the turtles. The ending was perfect as well. I hope there are more middle grade stories to come from Mary Alice Monroe in the future.

This is a middle school book, but I loved it as much as all of Mary Alice Monroe's books. There is no age limit on good books.

Not one of my favorite books by the author, since it was more of a "YA" book. But I did enjoy leaning about the younger years of Lovie.

There are so many aspects that made me admire the book. Firstly, I loved all the Nature facts that the author provides, making you enthusiastic about becoming a naturalist. In addition, there were new facts to me, such as the line of wrack, loggerhead tracks, fiddler crabs, egret, Carolina parakeet, and so much more! On a side note, as a person who loves journaling, I loved how the author encourages readers to journal via Jake’s entries. Similarly, the illustrations are also cute and add nicely to the book.

Secondly, the author has a beautiful style of writing that made me reminisce about the old Enid Blyton adventure novels I read growing up. As the reader, you go along with Jake, start to appreciate the Island life, and have a sense of adventure without modern technology. The author also wrote the plot soothingly, where you enjoy the Islanders’ experience as they monitor the hatching of the turtle eggs (amongst many other adventures).

Thirdly, the characters are all adorable! I loved their friendship. They all face their challenges, and it was beautiful to see how they overcome their fears over the summer on Dewees Island. Macon is engaging with all the facts he provides, and I liked Lovie’s father’s drama. Moreover, Jake has a beautiful relationship with Honey. They both help each other move forward and think positively rather than worry about their family members.

Overall, I loved everything about “The Islanders,” and I hope the author makes many more sequels with these characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanted to read an excellent adventure novel with lots of exciting Nature facts with a charming friendship storyline.

The Islanders, Mary Alice Monroe’s first exploration into fiction for younger readers is a huge success. This sweet story is about a young boy uprooted from life as he knows it and is forced to spend the summer with his grandmother on an island. What he expects to be a boring summer (hello no WiFi!) turns out to be an exciting adventure for him and the friends that he makes. I hope that there are more books to come like this. Though written for younger readers, all ages will enjoy this story!

This is a captivating summer read! Mary Alice Monroe and Angela May have created a young adult novel like no other. This book describes an enchanting summer off the coast of South Carolina.

In her first young adult novel, Monroe has created a story like no other. In this chapter book, three kids meet on Dewees Island and become instant summer friends. Jake, Lovie, and Macon explore the island all summer. They learn how to observe and appreciate nature all around the island. Their adventures include boating, finding a stray dog, and nuturing a loggerhead sea turtle nest.

I would highly recommend this book to any upper elementary or middle school child. As a teacher, I saw many opportunities for nature and science lesson in the chapters. I anticipate a sequel to the Islanders and their adventures next summer!

Well done, Monroe!

When 11-year-old Jake found out he was spending the summer on Dewees Island with his grandmother, he wasn’t happy. He was wanting to stay in New Jersey and play video games with his friends. He wanted to be home to get ready for sixth grade. But his father, an officer in the Army, was injured in duty, and his mother wanted to be with him. So Jake is spending the summer with his father’s mother, Honey, in South Carolina.

On the ferry over to the island, he drops his phone trying to text his friends back home, and then he watches as it slides right off the boat and falls in the water. There goes his connection to his friends back home. Now he feels even more alone.

Once he gets to the island, Jake is met by Honey, who takes him home in her golf cart. Since cars aren’t allowed on the island, those who use vehicles drive golf carts. When Honey tells Jake that he’ll have to learn to drive her golf card to do his daily chores, he’s torn. He’s certainly not happy about having daily chores, but the thought of driving a golf cart around is pretty exciting. And she tells him he can learn to drive a boat too, as long as he passes the written test that comes first.

Jake starts to think maybe being on the island won’t be so bad, especially when he makes new friends. Macon is on the island for the summer with his mother, and Lovie spends most summers on the island. Macon is a walking encyclopedia, and Lovie already knows a lot about Dewees Island, so Jake is having to catch up. But with the books his father read when he was a kid and his journal, Jake finds his knowledge of the island growing quickly. Then Honey gets him his own journal and encourages him to pay attention to the details of nature, to write about or draw what he sees, and she offers him more field guides to help him learn.

As Jake, Lovie, and Macon explore the island, they all have family issues they’re dealing with. Jake is worried about his father, who is badly injured and needs time to recover. And if that’s not enough got him, Honey has been struggling for the last couple of years, since her husband died, and Jake isn’t sure how to help her around the house the way she needs. Macon’s mother is pregnant, and his father only comes to the island on weekends, so the rest of the time, Macon has to be prepared to help her, or to call for help if the baby is coming. And Lovie has a secret about her father that haunts her, and she’s not sure what to do.

Then a misunderstanding with a boat turns into an epic punishment, and the three friends find themselves on Dawn Patrol for the Turtle Team, up early every morning to look for turtle tracks and nests of eggs that they can help protect. Honey offers to oversee them, and her involvement with the Turtle Team seems to bring her back from her sadness. And maybe that punishment is just what Jake, Lovie, and Macon need to discover a sense of purpose, and that can help them all find the courage they need to deal with everything else going on in their lives.

Mary Alice Monroe is known for her bestselling books, like The Beach House series. The Islanders is her first middle grade book, written with her friend Angela May and based on her passion for conservation. Filled with interesting, well researched facts about Dewees Island and the loggerhead turtles that call it home, this heart-warming book is a reminder of power of nature to heal us, the power of friendship to bring out the best in us, and the power of family to help us feel at home anywhere in the world.

I thought The Islanders was a really beautiful novel for middle schoolers, the kind of book that draws you in and makes you feel closer to the world around you, no matter how land-locked you may be. These characters are facing universal issues of facing your fears, finding your passions, and dealing with changes in your family. I would have loved this book as a kid, and I love it as an adult. Highly recommended!

Egalleys for The Islanders were provided by Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing, with many thanks.

Mary Alice Monroe’s name is almost synonymous with coastal women’s fiction and especially the travails of the loggerhead turtles. Now she’s brought us her first children’s book written with Angela May called The Islanders.

Jake is left with his depressed grandmother, Honey, on the South Carolina of Dewees when his mother goes to his father who has been critically wounded in Afghanistan. His grandmother has not gotten over the loss of her husband two years earlier and the not knowing the state of her son, Eric, is worsening her condition. So Jake arrives to a dusty, cluttered house where all of the food items are either sporting a fine green tinge or out-of-date. This is not the summer he envisioned.

His viewpoint soon shifts as he makes friends with Macon, who is also new to the island, and Lovie, who has lived nearby all of her life and wants to show the newbies around. As the summer passes, the three become fast friends, overcoming misunderstandings to forge a powerful bond.

The Islanders is filled with lots of information about the wildlife on Dewees as well as the loggerhead turtles and I can’t imagine any child who loves nature would not be inspired by reading this book. The authors have made the story and facts very accessible and the events that happen to the kids are plausible and might bring about recognition from their own lives. It’s a book of friendship, of kids exploring the natural world as well as the unknown possibilities of “what ifs.

I admit that I was as thrilled as the characters when a loggerhead nest boiled (that’s evidently the term for when all of the sea turtles dig up through the sand at the same time) and all of the little sea turtles ran for the ocean. What a completely wonderful and memorable scene! One that I think of with a smile and hope someday I might see in person.

A highly enjoyable read!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What kid wouldn’t want free reign of an island for the summer? That’s exactly what Jake gets to do in The Islanders. At first, Jack is nervous about visiting the island where his grandmother, Honey, lives. Jake’s parents are in the military and his dad has been injured in an IED attack. His mom goes to be with his dad and sends Jake to Dewees Island to live with his grandmother for the summer. Because he is sad about his dad and not sure what to expect, Jake is not too happy at first. Everything changes when he meets Louie and Macon, two other kids on the island. Together, they explore the island, get into a little trouble, and become best friends.

This is a great book for kids that love animals and nature. Not only does Jake learn a lot about the island and it’s inhabitants (human and non), he also helps his grandmother and friends learn new things while he is there.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this amazing book!

This is a children’s book written by one of my favorite authors. This is a wonderful book for middle schooler’s in this day and age. It’s the story of Jake, Lovie and Macon who become fast friends on Dewees Island and spend the summer “electronics free”, they find there is a whole world out there that they were missing. They explored, learned about nature and even got into some trouble. This book also shows kids how wonderful it is to have a relationship with their older relatives. I hope that there will be a sequel to this book because I think kids are going to love it!! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a chance to read and review this awesome book!

The Islanders by Mary Alice Monroe, I didn't really pay that much attention to the blurb or I most likely would not have chosen to read this book. Having said that I am glad that I did, this is a book written more for middle school children but as a adult I found that I enjoyed the read also. When Jake's father is hurt while in the military he is sent to live with his grandmother on Dewees Island, SC. Its a huge adjustment for him no cell phone, video games or wifi but as the story progresses he falls in love with the laid back life style of the island. I would definitely recommend this book to young adults.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

When Jake’s father is injured in Afghanistan, he is not excited to be dropped off to spend the summer with his grandmother, Honey, on Dewees Island. Jake is far from his friends with no phone or internet. Honey’s idea of fun is to be with nature. But will Jake be bored to death? Jake luckily makes friends with Lovie & Macon who explore the island with him. He also finds out that everyone has tough times but they are easier if you have friends & family around you.

This book appeals to middle grades readers. There is also enough adventure to hold the attention of older readers. There is a good mix of science facts added in to the plot of the story. I will recommend this book to my third grade students.

Thank you to Netgalley and Aladdin Press for the review copy of The Islanders by Mary Alice Monroe and Angela May.

The Islanders is told through the point of view of Jake, who is off to live with his grandmother for the summer while his father is in the hospital recovering from a military injury. He is convinced this will be the worst summer of his life because he will not have wi-fi, his grandma Honey has food in the refrigerator that’s five years old, he has no friends on the island, and he will spend most of his time worried about his dad. He is slightly mollified when Honey tells him he must learn to drive the golf cart to do his chores, and he can take boating lessons! Macon and Lovie are the two other kids on the island, so despite their differences, the three form a friendship based on close proximity. The unlikely trio spend their days exploring the island.

Through a string of events, they become especially fascinated by and involved with turtle patrol. Jake, Lovie, and Macon felt very genuine as 6th graders. They realistically struggled through misunderstandings with the help of wonderful adult characters. I absolutely recommend this book!

Mary Alice Monroe is at it again with her beautiful books!! Lovie is a 10 year old girl living on Dewey's Island in South Carolina. The summer has a lot of highs and a few lows for the kiddos. It is a summer of learning, connecting and unplugging...... which is something we all need to do occasionally. I can't wait for more of MAM's middle grade books!!

The Islanders
by: Mary Alice Monroe with Angela May
Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing
Aladdin
Publication date: June 15, 2021
Reviewed by: Jennifer Smith
Plan to spend the summer with eleven-year-old Jake on Deewees Island past Isle of Palms, South Carolina. Not yet understanding the mysteries of the wild before coming to the Island, young Jake was destined to become a naturalist like his Father. Although Monroe and Mays wrote the book for middle school students, I absorbed Ihe story myself feeling like a carefree young child fifty years ago voraciously reading for the local library's summer reading club.
Jake reluctantly came to Deewees Island to visit his Grandmother Honey, because of a serious family emergency. His mom, an Air Force officer, needed to spend time with his dad, an Army captain who had served in Afghanistan. With no cars, restaurants, and very limited TV, Wi-Fi, and video games, Jake is thrilled to form a strong friendship with Macon, a smart city boy from Atlanta, and Lovie, an island-wise little girl whose Aunt Sissy is on the Island's Turtle Team, just like Honey. Jake settles in to island life with adventure and hands-on environmental education, especially about loggerhead turtles. He sketches, journals, visits the Island's Nature Center often, and carries out chores as required by Honey.
The recurring themes of friendship, family, overcoming obstacles, and determination are prominent as events unfold for the three friends and their families. As always, Mary Alice Monroe brought her vast knowledge of conservation, ecology, and love of nature to the story.
Thank you to Net Galley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for an Advance Reader's Copy, and the opportunity to review this book.
#NetGalley #TheIslanders #MaryAliceMonroe #SimonandSchusterChildrensPublishing

The best book for this middle school aged children ii have read in years. Mary Alice mentioned the last , nature related book that i remember reading with my son in the book ; My Side of the Mountain. I loved the nature and knowledge she shared. The quotes at each chapter were great. I am planning to buy two copies on Wednesday night from the Indie store she chooses for my two children’s families. I can not say enough about this book. The characters, writing, flow, everything was fabulous!

One of my favorite parts of reading and reviewing books is having the opportunity to read them with the young readers in my own life. When I saw that one of my very favorite authors, Mary Alice Monroe, was coming out with a young readers chapter book, I was totally intrigued- and when I saw it featured some of my favorite chracters from The Beach House series, the turtles, I knew it was a must read!

Here is our review, from a 9 year old enthustatic young reader...

" I thought the islanders was great. I liked how they explained a lot about turtles and the nature around them. The characters were fun and adventurous. My favorite part was how they protected the turtles every morning. I would definitely recommend it to everybody!"

Thank you to Atria Books for our gifted copy.

Mary Alice Monroe with Angela May, have brought us a perfect summer read with a new middle-grade novel, "The Islanders."
Eleven-year-old Jake is dealing with a lot this summer. His mother has left to be with his wounded father in Afghanistan, and Jake has been sent to stay with his grandmother Honey who lives on Dewees Island in South Carolina.
Jake is understandably dismayed by the prospect of a summer without friends, television, WiFi, or cell phone. And his formerly feisty grandmother seems different, depressed and removed from things that used to matter to her.
Thankfully, the Island quickly offers many diversions for Jake. He can drive Honey's golf cart by himself! Learn to motor a boat around the island!
He quickly makes friends with local girl Lovie, and fellow new kid Macon, and they are soon exploring the island. Jake takes up journaling his adventures through drawings and letters to his father.
After a misadventure, they find themselves sentenced to daily "dawn patrols" of the beach searching for Loggerhead turtle nests. Soon they are on a mission to protect a turtle nest from predators.
This is a touching story about friendship, family, mending wounds and accepting change. It is also a fun summer adventure, full of exciting animals and vivid scenery. The illustrations will make you smile!
I would have loved this book when I was Jake's age, and I adored it now. This is a book I will be reading again soon when I need a return visit to the beautiful Dewees Island.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for an advance digital copy for review. I will definitely be ordering a physical copy for my shelf!

Jake has to stay with his grandmother on Dewey Island for the summer while his mom takes care of his recently injured military dad. There is no Wifi or electronics and he misses his parents and his friends. Jake quickly realizes that island life might not be so bad.
This is a perfect middle grade summer adventure story! It is engaging and easy to read and filled with animal facts and life lessons to be learned. I loved how the author made the outdoors and nature the heart of the story and used bright, diverse characters to tell the story. I plan to have my 10 and 12 year old sons read it next. Thanks to NetGalley for a digital arc.

With thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for an early copy in return for an honest review.

I always enjoy when a book prompts me to do research and by the time I finished reading I wanted to look up everything I could about the loggerhead turtles in South Carolina! The story also made me wish I'd had summers like this, where I just roamed free in the outdoors. Overall, this was a delightful summer-time read.

I'd recommend this book to middle grade readers who like stories with animals, a strong sense of setting, and the importance of opening yourself up to your friends...even if you are afraid of being embarrassed.