Book of the Month

The Island by Armin Greder

The forbidding cover on this picture book seems more like a deterrent than an invitation and this is certainly an uncomfortable read, but a book which should be read by all ages. The chilling story of a xenophobic community, and their reaction to the stranger unfortunate enough to be stranded on their island, mirrors events we see happening all around the world. The mere thought of helping a stranger brings out fear and prejudice- he will take our jobs, our food… In the end the fisherman who persuaded the rest of his community to ‘help’ the refugee, by forcing them to confront but reject issues they do not wish to think about, is punished, the stranger is cast out and the islanders wall themselves off from the rest of the world. As one reviewer said - “Adults... may have nightmares. So they should.”

View library holdings

Novel Booklists

• From Books into Movies
• Popular Series

Good Reads

• Fantasy
• Fast Reads and Short Stories
• Great Adventure Reads
• Guys Reads
• Stories from the Past
• Stories to Encourage Reading

What to read after...

• Anthony Horowitz
• Harry Potter
• John Marsden
• Philip Pullman
• Lemony Snicket
• Jacqueline Wilson

Award winners

• New Zealand Book Awards