THE ISLANDS OF ELSEWHERE

Granddaddy lives alone, and he is ill: Will his grandchildren be able figure out the best way to help him before he gets worse?

The Snolly sisters—Hattie, 12; Bee, 10; and Plum, 8—along with their mom and baby brother, Theodore, are visiting their sick grandfather in Misty Cove, a wild and mysterious place many hours’ drive and a ferry ride away from their Vancouver, British Columbia, home. When they get there, they learn that their grandfather owns the Fairy Islands, which include the three islands called Fairy, Little Fairy, and Ghost. Legend has it that there is something spooky about them, and the children’s family is closely tied to some of the stories, specifically Granddaddy’s own grandmother Lucy Juniper. Each sibling uses their personal strengths to help figure out the best way to help their grandfather, who has been forgetting things and often seems confused. Aspiring botanist Bee collects algae, Hattie and Plum are enthralled by magic and fairies, while Dore can imitate sounds, from cats (his favorite) to seals. In addition to the strong characterization and magical setting, the story weaves in realistic topics that many children will recognize from their own lives, including bullying, aging grandparents, and divorced parents, all the while validating their feelings. Primary characters read White.

A charming family story with a touch of fairy-tale atmosphere.