Joshua's Island

Reviewed by Kim Anisi for Readers' Favorite

Joshua's Island by Patrick Hodges is the story of Joshua and Eve, two 13-year-old kids who face something many kids have to deal with in real life, too: bullying. And not just verbal bullying, but bullying that includes physical violence. Joshua is a small boy, and even most of the girls in his class are taller than him. And for some reason, the most popular girl - Rhonda - has decided that Joshua should be the victim of her bully squad (consisting of boys). Joshua is an outcast, has no friends any longer, and then he has to work in a team with a girl who can't stand him. However, things change when Eve begins to understand that all the stories circulating about Joshua might very well not be true, and that her new best friend Rhonda might not be a good person to be friends with after all. However, Rhonda does not take it lightly when people doubt her.

While the issue of bullying in Joshua's Island is of course a very unpleasant topic, I did enjoy reading this story very much. The friendship that developed between Joshua and Eve is heart-warming, and the closer you get to the end of the book, the more your hope in humanity is restored. I wish that there were truly more kids like the ones in the book - and fewer idiots running schools. The plot moves along nicely at a pace that is neither rushed nor drawn out. You start feeling connected to the characters quite easily and early on in the book. It is a pleasing read for people of all ages.

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.

This is a fantastic heart warming must read