National Network for Equitable Library Service

An island off the coast of another island is home to a small community; life is rich with joy and challenges, and the people who live there love their island home. One day they learn that the government will move them off the island, to new homes with modern conveniences like electricity. Life will be simpler, but will it be better? In gentle and spare prose, and with her unique folk-art illustrations, Lori Doody tells the story of resettlement in Newfoundland-it is a deeply personal tale, but it is also the story of anyone who must leave a loved home to start anew and who carries their old home still in their heart."&nbsp&nbspKey Selling Points - Author/illustrator Loir Doody has published ten widely praised books, several of which have been short- and/or longlisted for regional and international awards. This story is inspired by the author's mother's own experience.This gentle tale about the need to establish a new home will resonate with many people who have had to leave behind a loved community. The book includes an afterword with some historical background.&nbsp&nbspThe economical text effectively conveys a wealth of emotion and captures a full range of feeling. Precise, spare and carefully crafted sentences outline the events while the spaces between the sentences tell their own story. [...] The story is touching and heartfelt, and will speak to readers of all ages.&nbsp&nbspA must-read for all ages, The Island captures a glimpse of the past that needs to be shared and remembered. Highly recommended.&nbsp&nbsp[Lori Doody's] gentle plots and captivating illustrations invite readers young and old into familiar worlds seen with fresh eyes. [...] This spare and beautiful depiction of a long and tangly piece of Newfoundland history caused me to mist over and I don't mind admitting that the sweet ending elicited a little "oof" sound from this normally stoic reader.