Beautifully atmospheric, this is one of those novels that sweeps you up in the majesty of the setting... due to David Almond's lyrical prose and David Litchfield's atmospheric artwork.

the setting of Lindesfarne is perfect for this tale, and I loved how Hassan is portrayed and how he deals with a certain group of boys on the island.

Lyrical and immersive - highly recommended.

David Almond writes beautifully crafted stories that transcend generations. Island is no different, A lovely and engrossing story that will delight all ages and complimented by gorgeous illustrations that bring the story to life even more.

Hmmm… What starts out as a wonderful look at an older girl going once again with her single father to Lindisfarne, as their annual tribute to her mother and his wife, long since deceased, turns into something really quite pretentious. The illustrations, sparkling and well-done, add bonkers cliffs and a sense of not really being as the script describes it, to what was a World Book Day release back in 2017, now padded out as more of a deluxe volume. I can see others love it, but I was on board so much more for the sort-of ghost story than I was the 'lesson' of the piece.

Louise and her Dad are making their annual pilgrimage to Lindisfarne where, when her mother was still alive, they used to have their family holidays. Louise is now sixteen and would much rather than gone camping with her friends but revels in the ritual of being where her mother's soul is. Her father, however, has met up with sultry Coral, an American tourist, and he's smitten. Much to Louise's disgust she's left alone trying not to regret her decision to go off with her pals. But when she meets up with Hassan her perspective is returned to her. Hassan is also on a pilgrimage and Lindisfarne is going to provide him with a connection that he's lost also.
Originally written for World Book Night in 2017, 'Island' has been reissued with gorgeous illustrations by David Litchfield. Movingly and visually telling Louise and Hassan's story, Litchfield and Almond have created a wonderful piece of art - a book of poetic prose and stunning images.
It's a short read but a long lasting one; one I would highly recommend.
Thanks to Hachette Kids and Netgalley for access to this e-arc. I'll be buying a copy of my own when it comes out on June 22.

Top notch story from the wonderful David Almond. Louise is a great character, she sharing happy memories of mum in Lindisfarne with her dad and feels very resentful when he meets a tourist, and they get together, taking his time away from her. Her mum's been dead for 8 years and you get the feeling that this is the first time dad has connected with another woman. Yes she is being selfish, but she does come around fairly quickly. She meets a mysterious boy, who is refugee and is on a personal pilgrimage to Lindisfarne. The way the stories of Hassan and Louise revolve around each other and the serendipitous moment when Hassan shakes his fathers' photograph has a wonderful feeling of synergy and karma. I liked the way the stories resolved and carried on, a total delight to read.

Thanks to the publisher I got an early copy of the book, the illustrations look as clear and good as they do on the digital.

A story of Louise on an annual pilgrimage with her father to Lindisfarne, a place where her mother's memory comes to life. There is an aspect of 'coming of age' to this time, at 16 Louise's life may be moving to a new phase. On arrival we encounter Hassan, a seeming wildness and free-spirit, we learn later why he is there.

The relations in the book progress with encounters of confrontation, death, ultimately of love and hope. A good feel for the place and it's locality blends with live-changing experience.

Louise always returns to her island, it’s not only a tradition, but it’s a vital part of who she is and her relationship with her father. As the years increase, Louise longs for something more. A chance encounter with a rebellious spirit opens her eyes & her heart to the possibilities of who she can really be.

A remarkable book about connections and the powerful, jumbled emotions that they can produce during adolescence. You know you will discover something interesting when you pick up a book by David Almond.

Louise and her Dad have gone to Lindisfarne again where they annually spend some time reconnecting with the magic of the island and trying to recapture feelings from when Louise’s Mum was still alive.
This year seems different, and that change is noticeable when they cross the causeway and see a visitor striding through the water towards the island. The young man makes an impression on Louise although her Dad dismisses him because of his unkempt appearance.
Her Dad does not dismiss Coral, whom they meet on a walk and who is asking questions in her American accent. He invites her to eat with him and Louise later and Louise becomes jealous of someone else spending time with her Dad when she feels they should be remembering Mum.
David Almond has done it again and painted the landscape of Northumbria with different people searching for what they need from life. The connections between people and nature are there as it is a David Almond masterpiece. The writing is beautiful and poetic and, impossible as it seems, is enhanced by David Lichfield’s black and white illustrations. Good and bad shine through to make this a thought provoking, emotional read.

As always, Almond takes us along a wonderful journey of finding the unknown in the known. Set in the North, Almond paints it as a place of contemplation and awe and wonder, where you find something extraordinary amidst the ordinary. More than anything, it is a story of longing and belonging. The magic is in being strange and otherworldly and bigger than life, and this comes through in every sentence Almond strings along.

Everything I’ve ever read by David Almond has had a touch of magic, of beauty, of human connection - and this is no different

This book literally took my breath away. The writing is simply beautiful and is very "David Almond" in the sense that he seldom uses literary words but somehow he can make it sound lyrical just by varying the sentence lengths.

The drawings by David Litchfield have that warmth that is also very "David Litchfield".

Will definitely buy this when it is out.

Just one question: Is the illustration going to be in black and white like it is in the ARC?

This is a truly beautiful story about life, love ,beauty and overcoming adversity even from the darkest moments. Louise travels to the island of Lindisfarne with her father each year to remember family holidays and her mother. Whilst there she meets Hassan a Syrian refuge who has made his own pilgrimage to the island in memory of his father who visited some years earlier. The two young people find a deep connection and confront a mindless death from a group of teenagers. But from this tragedy a deeper understanding of the need to recognise the beauty in life and its power over evil and negativity shines through. This is a beautiful book with David Almond at the height of his lyrical , poetic and magical language powers whilst David Lichfield’s sublime illustrations add such depth and warmth to the story that they have the capacity to pull you even deeper into this emotional tale. From start to finish this is a book to savour and read again- for adults and teenagers this is a wonderful and powerful book that truly makes you reflect on the power of life and the human capacity to let love shine through Highly recommended in so many ways