Awards Books

Mr. Harley Shane, now deceased, provided capital and occasional consultation in the founding of Sharp & Dunnigan Publications and in its earliest productions. That was the extent of his role in the company. The "supporting documentation" Mr. Shane indicates is likely no more than the requisite paperwork for the establishment and maintenance of a corporate entity. Mr. Shane neither performed nor oversaw official editorial duties in the creation of these works, and furthermore had no active, day-to-day role in the company nor in its operations.

Mr. Paul Drew Stevens (1936-1990), my father, was the Editor-In-Chief of "The Congressional Medal of Honor," "Navy Cross," "Air Force Cross," and "Real Animal Heroes" titles (the latter which was written by Chico, California-area author Zu Vincent, in close collaboration with Mr. Stevens). Moreover, these works accurately indicate the extent of Mr. Shane's contributions.

The Editor-in-Chief for "The Congressional Medal of Honor, The Names, The Deeds" is and always has been Harley S. Shane who was the C.E.O. and Incorporator. Supportive evidence is available.
Mr.Stevens was the On-Site Operating Officer and resigned from his position in 1988. All of the books from Sharp and Dunnigan Publications are the property of its' always majority Stock Holder as Liquidated and equitable division of property following the peaceful passing of Mr. Stevens. This effects the following Titles: The Congressional Medal of Honor, The Names, The Deeds; The Navy Cross ; Real Animal Heroes. All Paperback and other Tradepersons should take notice of this public notice. announcement.

The Editor-in-Chief for "The Congressional Medal of Honor, The Names, The Deeds" is and always has been Harley S. Shane who was the C.E.O. and Incorporator. Supportive evidence is available.
Mr.Stevens was the On-Site Operating Officer and resigned from his position in 1988. All of the books from Sharp and Dunnigan Publications are the property of its' always majority Stock Holder as Liquidated and equitable division of property following the peaceful passing of Mr. Stevens. This effects the following Titles: The Congressional Medal of Honor, The Names, The Deeds; The Navy Cross ; Real Animal Heroes. All Paperback and other Tradepersons should take notice of this public notice. announcement.

A book that most readers can identify with!

I loved this book. It is well written, easy to read, and fun. The poems have a musical lilt, almost like jazz. The topics are of everyday life things that happen to all of us all the time. Good work.

This collection of poetry does what truly great poetry should do -- it touches so truly and so deeply upon the human condition -- the joy and the suffering of it -- that the personal voice of the poet becomes, as Galway Kinnell once wrote, just another voice of a creature on the planet speaking. Whether speaking of difficult or joyous times, the loss of love or its fond remembrance, the naming of a child, aging, or death, the poet's words enliven, enrich and expand the reader's own experience, outwitting despair, careening toward joy, encountering pain with courage, and then letting that pain go to the "dirt-borers," whose job it is to turn the dead back into the living again. This is poetry that can save your life on those dark winter nights when the only voice you can hear is the one of your own despair. If I had to choose one or two voices to have with me on such nights, voices to sail the psyche's frail ship to morning's shore, Ms. Fargnoli's would be chief among them.

I bought this book for my newborn and I recommend it for children of all ages. The stories are great tales to share with your family. They are even entertaining for adults. I highly recommend this book.

The stories are rich and full of life. Storytelling lives on...thank you!

These stories are delightful, the illustrations are superb...I bought a copy for my grand-daughter, and was so enthralled that I ordered a second copy for me!

As one of the few people outside of the Amazon contest who has had the privilege to read Old Blood in its entirety, I am writing to sing the book's praises. Simply put it has a wide appeal outside of its listed genre. While it is a serious vampire thriller, it is also a well researched work of historical fiction with finely developed characters, and an intricately woven network of well articulated plot lines, all topped with a generous sprinkling of witty social satire. Frankly, its scope is cinematic and it would make a damn good film. Finally I must add that while I am not familiar with Amazon's criterion for designating its "Top Reviewer", I have to say that I am very surprised at the slapdash quality of that particular review. From the poor spelling to the gross inaccuracies in describing the plot the Top Reviewer's critique should hold little credence with the judges.

Having enjoyed the wit and vigor of the author's excellent historicial nonfiction, I thought I was prepared for his historical fiction. But if I had been-- I wouldn't be writing this review now. He takes his knowledge of Philadelphia history and embodies it in characters you feel for from the get-go. Their struggles engage you in universal hopes, dreams and fears, and before you know it, you really, really want to know what happens next.

So, please Amazon, -- let us know, what -does- happens next?

From the 1st sentence you are swept into the harsh world of 17th century Pennsylvania. Keels combines realistic period detail with gothic suspense. By the last sentence you desperately want to know if the hero has fallen into friendly or evil hands. Give me more!

This picture book is based on a true story of a little boy who lived long ago on Sand Island. His dad is a fisherman and the little boy wants to be like him. He sets out to build his own boat. He has to trade work for supplies and he finally gets his boat made! The whole island meets and has a party to celebrate!
I liked that the little boy used his mind to work out his problems. He didn't have some of the supplies and skills that he needed to build his boat. He went to neighors for help and offed skills that he did have in exchange.

Yes I enjoyed ths book. Kids will learn a lot of the authors note like the site of Carl Dahl's (the boy who the book is based on) home is now being used to house a ranger's cabin for the National Park Service.

This is a wonderful and evocative book. Sand Island is a real place, where real people used to live, and the author does a marvelous job of presenting the way life was like for a curious young boy growing up on this little island in the middle of Lake Superior.

This is based on a true story, a 10-year-old boy whose mother is deceased, living on Sand Island (in Lake Superior), a community of Norwegian's, with his father and with his younger sister. His father is a fisherman and he longs for the day when he can have his own boat. His younger sister tells him he is too young to own his own boat. He decided to make his dream a reality and one step at a time, and does build his own boat. He does not have a full plan at the beginning but takes it one step at a time. He finds male neighbors and friends to help him along the way, by borrowing a tool or bartering his work for their time and labor. I found it odd that he never asked his father for help, a little odd that there was more help from neighbors than his own father, but I assume his father was very busy fishing to support his family! The last step in the process was getting oars and his father did give him some old oars that they had in storage, which Carl had to refinish.

The themes in the book are of independence, hard work, perseverance, and ingenuity. I thought the boys resourcefulness in finding help wonderful. The boy's positive attitude is wonderful. With each step of the boat-building project we see the amount of hard work that he had to put into making it, a wonderful thing to see in a 10 year old.

The book ends first with Carl's peaceful and rewarding solo boat ride then with a party to celebrate the newest boat on the island including music and dancing.

The illustrations are gorgeous, pale paintings that look as if painted atop a canvas laid with sand!

In the author's note at the back of the book, I learned that this tale is set in the early 1900s and is based on a real person named Carl Dahl. In the 1940s sea lampreys came into Lake Superior and killed all the whitefish and trout, essentially killing the fishing industry there. The site of Carl Dahl's home is now being used to house a ranger's cabin for the National Park Service.

Kathleen Ragan's earlier collection, "Fearless Girls, Wise Women & Beloved Sisters," is probably the finest anthology of folktales featuring women. In this new, unique, wide-ranging collection inspired by 9/11, Ragan explores how folktales can help us develop creative responses to the terrifying events of today's world. Like the sunrise that never fails, Ragan brings hope.

I'm as tired as anyone of the endless drumbeat of pessimistic opinions. This is a book that talks back to the endless squawking of today's Chicken Littles.

First, it shows that we've always shared our world with danger and fear. The folktales Ragan quotes come from all times, all places.

Second, it tells many stories of personal ingenuity and hope outfoxing fear. Here's a voice worth listening to!

In an illuminating opening essay, Ragan describes her family's response to the tragedy of 9/11, as her young girls act out their confusion, integrating their reactions into their play, that shocking violence intruding into the world of childhood. In the process of editing an anthology of folktales, the author turns to her years of research for answers, "tales that emanated from the folk of all social classes... to communicate and share experiences... to survive in a dangerous world." Language is a powerful antidote to fear. Throughout civilization, stories have been whispered in the dark of night to calm frightened children, or spoken around campfires to send shivers of excitement through those gathered in the eerie glow of the fire. Drawing from the fables of the common people, in stories both specific and universal, this collection marries fear and fable as a way of ameliorating the dangers of the unknown. These are fables of empowerment, efforts to regain control, whether outwitting bandits or banishing evil spirits. As mentioned in Jack Zipe's insightful introduction, "Paradoxically, it's because folktales do not `teach' us to overcome fear that they help us deal with fear."

In sixty-four selected stories, the author stakes out her terrain: "Building Stories", "The Nature of Fear", "When Common Sense Makes No Sense", "On Death's Payroll", "A Shared Destiny", tales from every corner of the world, weaving her own life story into the collection, reinforcing hope and a positive outlook in spite of all odds. Because the world we live in is unpredictable, there are no happy endings, only these stories, the endless musings of Scheherazade spinning her way through the present in search of the future. The theme is universal, each tale dressed in the folklore of its country of origin, India, Scotland, China, the Northwest Amazon Basin. Yet all have a clear message, conquering fear in all its forms, "The Broken Friendship", "The Story of the King and the Four Girls", "The Devil's Little Joke, "Solomon and the Vulture". This collection is rendered even more remarkable by the Ragan's personal essays, her intimate reactions and experiences, couched in family revelations: "In reading tales from all over the world... I felt I could see the shapes of worlds to come, worlds that might come from each vision." More importantly, Ragan accepts responsibility for the visions she chooses, embracing that challenge with an open heart. Luan Gaines/ 2006.

You learn about the life of this child and experience his triumph over adversity. The book makes you want to read the child's original words even though they are in Spanish.

How would you feel if your former master, who had loved you and cared for you like you were her own child, had said that once she died, you and your family would be free. Happy, right? Well what if no one paid any attention and you were sold to another master who punishes you for crimes you didn't commit?
That is the dilemma Juan Fransisco Manzano faces when his former owner, who took him to parties and had him wow her guest with his uncanny ability to recite poems and verses from the bible. At his baptism, Dona Beatriz, his former owner, declares that once she dies, he and his family will be free, for the price of 300 pesos, and any new-born babies will be born free. But once Dona Beatriz dies, Juan's family discovers they don't have enough money to buy Juan's freedom. So he is sold to La Marquesa De Prado Amendo, whose son, Don Nicolas, takes a liking to Juan, and befriends him. But La Marquesa frequently and brutally punishes Juan for sneaking peaks at her books. But she is grateful enough to let Juan watch her sons take art classes, and Don Nicholas gives Juan some parchment and a stub of crayon to draw with. Eventually, Don Nicholas helps give Juan the courage to run away, and Juan flees in search of his mother.
In really enjoyed this book for three reasons: the poetry, the character development, and the Spanish vocabulary sprinkled into the text.
The first reason I liked this book was in was written in free verse poetry form. This made the book very quick and easy to read, which made me like it more. It was also very unique, and was very well done.
The second reason I liked this book was the character development, mainly Juan. He grows up a lot in the book, from age eleven to age sixteen. But he also develops, by not abiding to La Marquesa's rules or caring about the consequences. He also learns that he doesn't need to keep sneakily buying pen and paper using the money he receives at parties. He can just store all the knowledge in his head.
And finally, I enjoyed the Spanish vocabulary sprinkled in. I take Spanish class on B days and found that the Spanish words were very useful. I also like how the author used in text definitions to explain to you what the word was.
In conclusion, I thought this was a fabulous book and would recommend it to someone looking for either a book written in poetry of a book with Spanish sprinkled into the text.

C. Davidson

The verse novel is a tricky fickle thing. Though no one to the best of my knowledge has ever put down the rules that govern the creation of a verse novel, there are always a couple unwritten understandings. No verse novel should tell its tale through poetry when it would make more sense to tell it through prose. Also, just breaking up a bunch of sentences into lines doesn't mean you're writing poetry or anything. The ideal verse novel is one where it makes sense to write a story through poetry AND just happens to have an ear for beautiful language. Such is the case with Margaraita's, "The Poet Slave of Cuba". In the book it says that, "The life of Juan Francisco Manzano haunted her for years before she finally realized that to do justice to the Poet Slave's story, she needed to write it in verse". The result is an achingly beautiful and horrific story that deserves to be read by teens everywhere.

Born a slave in Cuba in 1797, Juan Francisco Manzano grew up the toast of his owner Dona Beatriz. His ability to memorize speeches, plays, and words of all sorts made him a kind of sought over pet to the Spanish aristocracy. Though she promised to grant him his freedom when she died and she allowed both his parents to buy their freedom, Juan Francisco remained a slave after Dona Beatriz's death and was handed over to the dangerously psychotic Marquesa de Prado Ameno. The Marquesa resents Juan from the moment he is put into her possession and every attempt he makes at reading or writing is put down with shocking violence. A biography told in poems, this book shows the worst of slavery's cruelties and the sheer will it takes to not only survive under such conditions but escape.

The text in the book alternates between different points of view on almost every page. In a sense, the villains have just as much of a say as the heroes. Juan, for his part, sometimes will have three pages in a row of thoughts, each with its own separate poem. Alongside this format are illustrations by Sean Qualls. Qualls has a style that usually doesn't do much for me. In this case, however, he's the perfect complement to Engle's tale. The white aristocracy with their blank eyes and sharp pointed teeth are positively horrific. These images magnify the storyline. Here, for example, are two ladders that lead suggestively against a wall. Now a shiny coin. Now a butterfly. They are rough unfinished drawings that show far better Juan's situation than any polished colored print could ever convey.

At first I was a little perturbed that for all the book's poetry and loveliness, I couldn't find any actual poetry by the real Juan Francisco Manzano. Then I reached the end of the title and in the back found that author Margarita Engle not only offers us a biography of the true Juan Francisco, but reprints his bibliographic details as well.

Now, there is a debate surrounding this book. It is not a debate that questions whether the story is told well or whether or not Engle gets her point across to the reader. It's more a question of audience. Though published by Henry Holt, Inc's young reader division, and not a specific teen imprint, there is little doubt in my mind that this is not exactly kiddie fare. It's repeatedly violent, often to extremes. There is more bloodshed, torture, screams, and pain in this book than you'll find in most children's literature. To put it plainly, this is the "Beloved", of kiddie lit. Which, when you think about it, doesn't make it very kid-friendly at all. Teens, on the other hand, will find much to appreciate here. Juan Francisco spends much of this book as a teen, after all. His thoughts and actions are not those of a young boy, but rather a man trapped in an untenable situation. As such, I'd steer this book clear of the shorter set and aim towards kids with some maturity.

You read about the main character's pain, and to some extent a kind of apathy has to take place or the story's too difficult to bear. As a reader, you actually find yourself wondering how a person could live under such grueling conditions without a hope of a reprieve and still want to live. And there is a moment in the book when someone says that good always triumphs over evil. That it is amazing that the devil even tries. Words like these and phrases of this sort have been turning about in my brain ever since I put, "The Poet Slave of Cuba" down. Engle's text has a kind of staying power that wordsmiths everywhere should envy. Envy and admire.

I guess I should point out that while, "The Poet Slave of Cuba" is well-written, smart, and beautiful, it is not a pleasant book to read. Teens who pick up this book should be informed right off the bat as to what the book consists of. Just the same, it's definitely one of the more honest treatises on slavery I've ever had the chance to read. Engle does a magnificent job with her subject. She does the man's memory proud.

Former Wall Street Journal reporter Roy J. Harris Jr. presents Pulitzer's Gold: Behind the Prize for Public Service Journalism, an in-depth account of the ninety-year history of the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, especially the most exalted prize of the Joseph Pulitzer Gold Medal. From accountings of the distinguished journalistic coverage that exposed sexual predators among Catholic priests, to the New York Times' role in helping the community cope after the September 11th attacks, to the Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein's uncovering of the Watergate scandal, to the Boston Post's revelation of swindling schemes hatched by Charles Ponzi and much more, Pulitzer's Gold takes the reader on a one-of-a-kind historical tour. A distinguished tribute to the journalists who labored to bring the truth to light and help make America better place to live, as well as a studious history of journalism's most prestigious award.

Pure Gold---Five Shining Stars for "Pulitizer's Gold"

"river run, past Eve and Adam's," so begins Joyce's "Finnegans Wake" that boisterous tale tracing through time and space the story of Anna Livia Plurabelle, the Liffey, and her people. As we reach the sea, the last words of the last chapter, ("A way a lone a last a loved a long the") return to the first. "Pulitzer's Gold" has that grand cycling sweep. Beginning in Chapter 1 with the heart-holding, eye-catching stories of the two 2006 prizes (for coverage of Hurricane Katrina by the Sun Herald and the Times Picayune), the book's close celebrates the 200l award to the Oregonian for uncovering U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service abuses.

The 21 glorious chapters interweave three eternal golden braids, as intricate as any described by Hofstadter in Escher, Gödel, and Bach. These are (1) the story of the Pulitzer Prize itself, a story of growth, change, challenges, and evolution, (2) the individual stories of the newspapers, publishers, editors, and investigative reporters on whose walls shine the gold medals, and (3) the winning stories themselves, an archive of democracy in America, 1917 to the present.

Written tautly, wittily, masterfully, Pulitzer's Gold represents in itself a monumental investigative expedition. Archival research, yes, but also years of meetings, interviews, conversations, verifying and expanding what was being discovered. As good a read as a novel, this is equally a work of scholarship, each chapter detailing the sources, and illuminated by a comprehensive appendix of all the Pulitzer journal awards.

The bigger story is told through the individual stories, an approach that is endlessly fascinating. This is, in a way, the Vietnam Memorial Wall of courageous, high risk, public service journalism. The names and to a good extent the personalities whose best and brightest work may have gone into each Gold Medal award live again in this book. They are spoken of with the respect, honor, and appreciation that one outstanding journalist---Harris--- can give to another, a discerning, differentiating, discriminating honor someone outside of journalism probably could not fully catch with a guide such as Harris.

Equally valuable is the mother lode of information most of us may not know about the prizes: for example, that the applicants self-nominate and have to prepare portfolios showing why the story they propose should be recognized. For example, that consequences---results, impacts, actions---are one of the three criteria for the award, anticipating by many years the expectation that claims for merit have to be backed up by evidence of good effects.

Indeed, this book had its beginning in a presentation given by author Roy J. Harris Jr. on the one hundredth birthday of his father, Roy J. Harris Sr, of the St. Louis Post Dispatch. In this presentation, Harris Jr. not only honored his award-winning father but also reflected on the newspaper's then unique record of receiving five Pulitzer Gold awards. "What," he asked then, "was happening in this paper, at this time, that raised the St. Louis Post Dispatch to such a level of achievement?" The St. Louis Post Dispatch was among the journalistic homes of the Pulitzer family, but there was more happening---actually, the procedures of the award intended to reduce favoritism may have acted against specific recognition. What was that "more? Harris shared with us in this presentation what he learned about the way in which courageous public service journalism is created.

Now, seven years later, we are fortunate to have a full picture, across all the winners, that offers a basis in evidence for consideration of the organizational qualities and the individual qualities encouraging the risks of public service investigations. Pulitzer's Gold is a grand panoramic picture, a grand book to study, and a grand book to read.

If there is a "but" to this marvelous book, it may be a yearning for a closing chapter tracing the meaning of the strands and putting together an initial overall answer to what makes for a great newspaper (by Pulitzer standards) and where we are today. For example, the Pulitzer strand shows many changes: are the forces that drove these needed changes still vital? What may be ahead for the Pulitzer Board (and committees) in the changing future?

In contrast, there is splendid detail about each winning story but less sense of growth and more sense of a stasis in that the stories are mostly about: corruption and catastrophes. Some hard-hitting, exceptionally courageous stories about the Ku Klux Klan helped do their good work, and the Klan has disappeared in gold award winners in the last decades. Environmental issues can be seen expanding in passion and depth. Bad government is an enduring topic. Few investigative, award-winning stories seem to honor what works. Is this apparent pattern because public service journalism as anticipated in the Freedom of Speech clauses is essential to telling truths to power, particularly its inconvenient, bad, and ugly sides? Having worked for the U.S. General Accountability Office, I fully appreciate the need for as many trust-worthy feet as possible to jump into that scale of justice, but a last chapter really getting into Harris's ideas about the grand themes would be, well, grand.

The "but" is minor relative to all that is excellent in "Pulitzer's Gold." From the
elegant, appropriate cover designed by Kristie Lee, to the beautifully typography and layout, to the superb contents, this book is highly recommended. Applause to RJH, Jr., who has continued the noble legacy of the "century of those who mined the gold" and in doing so, help us honor the courage of those who are writing next year's award winning story.

Roy Harris has done a tremendous job bringing much forgotten history alive with his eloquent book Pulitzer's Gold. In the tradition of great historical writers like Barbara Tuchman, Harris weaves together rich strands of narrative to tell the compelling stories behind the most influential journalism of our times like the publishing of the Pentagon Papers, the year-long investigation into the Watergate break-in by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, and the outing of the Boston Diocese's shocking cover-up of the sexual predators in its midst. These stories and others are already familiar to us but what's not familiar are the stories behind the stories, and by filling in these details, Harris does a tremendous service not only to journalists but to anyone for whom history is a dynamic, urgent teacher. In reading Harris' gripping accounts of how these stories unfolded, I was reminded how vital good historical writing is to our understanding of what's going on today. This book is sure to attract a readership outside the communities of journalists and historians for whom these stories will be engrossing; I suspect anyone with a thirst for understanding our contemporary culture will find his writing invaluable. Maybe even more importantly, they'll find the stories just a good read. After all, how many of us knew that both the New York Times and the Washington Post were almost bypassed for the Public Service gold medal by the Pulitzer committee for their respective work on the Pentagon Papers and Watergate? And for the Watergate affecianado, Harris' interviews with Bob Woodward and others provides entirely fresh accounts of those pivotal events from the people that were there.That's living history.

This book will grab your heart from the very beginning and not let go. Even after finishing the very last page, you will keep this story in your heart. Don't miss this book!

Maggie, the heroine, is a baby facing a challenging life with the help of her tenacious and loving mother. What that mother needs is someone with whom she can share her life -- and Maggie. Allison shares with us her deepest concerns and makes us realize our human frailties as well as our small triumphs. Joe is equally as lovable, and wins your heart.... Kathleen Korbel has written an excellent 'keeper.' "A Rose For Maggie" is a timeless story that has something for all of us. I highly recommend it as a gift for your friends, and for you.

This book is gutwrenching so be warned, do not attempt to read it without a full supply of tissues. I was floored by the intensity and the realism the characters exhibit. They are not perfect super people who handle troubles without a doubt, guilt or worry. I liked that everything wasn't sugar coated and their thoughts weren't always pretty, they were human, and I always admired both Joe and Allison throughout their story. I read this book with my stomach in knots and an ache in my heart. I felt deeply for these characters and wasn't once tempted to skim. Although this is a very serious book there are bits of humor scattered throughout the story and the excerpts of Joe's children's books are charming. A ROSE FOR MAGGIE was a truly incredible story and the ending, wow, it was wonderful! I give this book my highest recommendation with absolutely no reservations. If you're lucky enough to find this treasure hold on tight to it

I started reading my 7 year old daughter's books, primarily to stimulate our conversations, and found myself very keen to keep on reading this particular story late into the night!

Having read many of her Enid Blyton books now (which have almost all been very good), this remains the best so far.

In brief, 3 children find themselves in the care of their Aunt and Uncle when their parents go missing on a long flight in a small plane. The Aunt and Uncle start out quite nice, until everyone starts to believe that the children's parents have died.

Their Aunt and Uncle start to treat them so badly, that they want to run away, but are scared about what might happen when they eventually have to return. An older child they are friends with helps them to run away to a secret island in the middle of the lake, to start a new life all by themselves.

This tale is exciting, funny and educational. The young run-aways learn how very hard it is to make their own living, the importance of work and helping each other, and how careful they have to be with food and clothing.

Each week on their secret island brings new challenges and adventures. The book certainly has momentum, and rises to a great climax, with a satisfying little twist at the end.

This was the first book I ever read entirely on my own, and I'm happy to say it led to a lengthy affair with the written word. It remains, to this day, one of my favourite books.

Its a story of 3 siblings who's parents have died, and they have been sent to live with their abusive aunt and uncle. Their only solace is a local boy who has even less than they have in life. The 4 of them plot and execute their escape. Its an excelent tale of adventure, with a great ending, and is perfect reading for someone just starting out.

The story is set in england in the early to mid 20th century (It was written around then as well) but this doesn't alienate the reader. I first read it in the mid 1980s and found I could completely relate to the heros of this story.

I highly recomend it to get your kids away from the boob tube and start them reading. It worked for me, and I have the attention span of your average gnat.

This is the first book in the Secret series and the most exciting one of them. It's about four children who run away from home. They set sail to an island nearby to hide out. Even bringing along with them a cow and some chickens. What makes this book so fun to read is how they were able to survive on this island. There are descriptions of caves with secret entrances, wild berries to pluck and eat, a club house made completely from interwoven willow trees, cooking and eating at a campsite, hiding from the grownups that are looking for them to drag them back to their mean aunt and uncle. A dreamy whole summer until it starts getting cold. The story does end with the desired happily every after and the promise of more adventures to come.