Review Detail

I’m not sure what I expected of Joshua’s Island, but I know I did not anticipate absolutely adoring this book! Nor did I expect it to hit so close to home. I never experienced the kind of bullying Joshua endured, but I can relate to his feelings of extreme isolation and loneliness at that age.
It reminded me a great deal of books like John Green’s, “Looking for Alaska,” in that bitter-sweet, emotional journey to self discovery. Joshua’s Island reaches across all genres and will appeal to all ages, especially if you are someone who struggled through the awkward early teen years.
The examples of bullying are extreme in this book, but I believe they were meant to be a way of showing the reader just how huge this problem is, and how easy it is for us to overlook what’s happening right under our noses.
Joshua and Eve are well-rounded (adorable!) characters with a great deal of depth and individual flaws, which they overcome together. There are times when the two act and speak a little more like adults than the thirteen year olds they are supposed to be, but they are dealing with situations that go well beyond their years, and they handle it together as a team.
The book is beautifully written and well edited. There were a few moments that felt a tiny bit over the top for me, but with Joshua as the brave underdog, I still found myself cheering him on.
Bottom line: Get this book! It will make you laugh. It will make you cry, and you will NOT be able to put it down. I’m looking forward to what’s next for this author with his upcoming release of Ethan’s Secret.