Joshua's Island

As someone who was tormented growing up and someone who is currently raising a middle school girl, Joshua's Island really struck a chord with me. Told from the rotating perspectives of Joshua, a bullied, sullen child, and Eve, his out-going science partner, this story beautifully depicts the harsh reality of what it means to be on the outside looking in. Hodges skillfully crafts each diary entry so the reader feels the heartache of each painful day, and although from an adult perspective it may seem, at times, over-the-top, I can assure you it's a realistic take as emotions are magnified during this stage of growing up. This book is a wonderful reminder that there is a part of each of us longing to fit it and so showing kindness to others in our daily life is time well spent, even as adults. Bravo to Hodges for crafting such a lovely novel. Looking forward to sharing his other offerings with my family.

I recommend this book to anyone from the age of 10 all the way up to adulthood. I am 31 years old myself; I just read it and loved every moment of it, and am sure that anyone who has any experience as child whatsoever will enjoy it thoroughly, as well.

Where do I start? I've been wracking my brain trying to come up with ways to give this book the credit it deserves.

Joshua's Island follows two thirteen year olds - Joshua, the school outcast, and Eve, the exiled popular girl. The book has a simple but important message- Bullying should not be tolerated. Ask for help.

Joshua is an extremely relatable character, and Eve is inspirational - to choose the nerdiest kid in school over her new found popularity takes courage and an extremely big heart. They're both well written, believable, and adorable together.

Joshua's fear felt so real, I began to fear for him. Every time he was left alone, I was convinced he was about to get assaulted yet again. And while his bullying was extreme, there are real kids experiencing this kind of fear on a daily basis.

The book is a good example of what SHOULD be done when faced with bullies. I don't have preteens yet, but I will definitely be giving this book to them before they begin high school. I hope that my children grow into the kinds of people who could ask for help if they were in trouble, or would stand up for someone who can't stand up for themselves. I believe this book would teach them how to do that.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my review and I'm so glad I did because otherwise I might have known I needed to read it. With four kids who are already having to deal with bullies even in elementary school, this book really hit home. The story deals with 13-year-old Joshua who has been cruelly and relentlessly bullied for years, causing him to withdraw and accept his role as outcast while just trying to wait it out until he can escape from this school and peer group. You would think that a book written about such a painful subject would be sad and depressing - and I'll admit that it brought tears to my eyes a couple of times, but really, it's not a sad book at all! Joshua is beaten up but not beaten down and he still looks to the future with hope, knowing that this part of his story will end and he will be able to move on to better things.

I started the book while waiting for my kids at the bus stop this afternoon and by the time the bus arrived I already loved poor Joshua and desperately longed for a happy ending for him. I begrudged the time I had to spend on things like homework, dinner, and bedtime before I could get back to the story. When I was able to continue reading, I devoured the rest of the book and walked away thoroughly satisfied with the ending. So glad I read the book.

Joshua's Island is an insightful and inspiring novel that makes you experience what the victims of bullying go through on a daily basis. Bullying is prominent in this day and age, especially since there's so many new ways to bully others through the internet. Joshua is picked on by the bully squad for years and is too frightened to seek out help. His other classmates are too intimidated to help and idly sit by. The first person to open her eyes to the bullying is Eve. With the help and support from Eve, things start taking a turn for the better for Joshua. And, there's also that touch of romance everyone loves.

With the alternating perspectives, you experience both sides of the story and I couldn't put it down. Patrick Hodges does an incredible job at making two completely different characters that we can fall in love with. His detailed encounters and character thought processes had me hooked.

This novel teaches the importance of standing up for others and that we need to work together to extinguish bullying. I highly recommend this novel and think it should be passed on to others. So, if you haven't read it, it should be your next read.

Joshua's Island was a lovely, emotional read. I thought the way Mr. Hodges dealt with bullying and the feelings of isolation and hopelessness it causes was spot on. The hero, Joshua, had my heart from the beginning. Here was a child who had been utterly alone for three years through no fault of his own, ostracized because of nasty rumors and picked on because of his small stature.

The heroine, Eve, was a harder sell at first. She threw away true friendship for popularity and was very naive about the price she would have to pay. I was happy when she quickly learned the error of her way. I also like that Hodges didn't make Eve's path easy. Because she stood up for what was right, she too was ostracized and her meteoric rise to popularity was eclipsed by the speed of her fall.

The relationship between Eve and Joshua was beautiful and organic. Two kids have never needed each other more. I loved that Eve brought Joshua out of his shell, and Joshua helped Eve believe that she could be forgiven for her past sins.

With wonderful supporting characters like the firecracker Kelsey and Eve's adorable sisters, Hodges really rounds out the secondary cast. I love how Joshua started out alone on his Island and as his relationship with Eve progressed, kept adding castaways like Eve's best friends Susan and Emily.

The villains in this book weren't just the bullies Rhonda and Brent, but also the adults who preferred to ignore the problem rather than deal with what was really going on in the school. Again, I felt that Hodges really got that right.

The only reason I gave this book four stars instead of five is because I didn't feel Joshua's parents were fleshed out enough. Eve's family was very real to me. I had a clear picture in my mind of her mother and sisters. Eve's mother, when she found out what was going on at school, jumped into action and really tried to save the day. We are told early on Joshua's parents aren't around much, and that he had been hiding or excusing his physical injuries for three years. I guess I can buy that maybe they wouldn't notice if they weren't around, but three years is a very long time to hide that type of violence. And when Joshua finally confessed all to his mom, I was underwhelmed by her reaction. She was more than happy to let Eve's mom take on the burden of saving her son. She never contacted the principal herself or a lawyer or the bullies' parents. I just didn't buy it, especially as Joshua kept insisting his parents and sister were such great people.

Despite my issues with Joshua's family, I think this was a very moving book and would recommend it to both young adults and adults.

I went into this book with a heavy heart considering certain circumstances that have occurred in my community over the last few years due to bullying. When I discovered the book's subject matter revolved around bullying, I was both intrigued and hesitant. I'm so very glad I read this book.

Every child should have an opportunity to read this book. Regardless if the form of bullying is physical or mental, kids need to know they are not alone and there are places to turn for help.

Adults need to read this book so they understand the reasons behind the child's reluctance to step forward. Notice the signs and keep open communication with your child.

I felt the author did a wonderful job driving both points home. The writing style sucks you in and keeps you engaged while reading, but you don't lose sight of the true concepts.

But aside from the bullying aspect, the book is also about a boy who finds himself. The characters are very relatable and with good morals. Exactly what I like out of characters. You simply can't help but adore them.

I highly recommend reading Joshua's Island, especially if you have children.

If ever a book hit me in the feels, it was Joshua's Island. I'm not ashamed to admit this book had me bawling like a baby.
Patrick Hodges spins a masterful tale about the ugliness of bullying and gossip, the beauty of friendship and love, and the satisfying justice of retribution. His characters are extremely well written and brought to life so beautifully you can't help but fall in love with them. Your heart aches for their every hurt and jumps for joy at their triumphs.
The story is told from the two perspectives of Joshua and Eve. Sometimes I find different POV's jarring, but this is not the case with this book. The story line flows effortlessly and the POV's help you gain more understanding of the suffering and helplessness they feel at the hands of their tormentors. More than once I had to reach for my box of Kleenex, and with my jaded heart that is a difficult thing to accomplish. Kudos Mr. Hodges!
Once I started reading this book I could not put it down. I especially loved the secondary character of Kelsey, the little spitfire who befriends Joshua and Eve. I understand Patrick Hodges next book centers on her story and I personally cannot wait to read that.
This book is a must read for all young people and adults alike. I cannot emphasize that enough. It is a powerful message about the consequences of bullying for both the victim and the perpetrators. 5 out of 5 shiny stars. Job well done Mr. Hodges!!!

Theirs is something so sweet and genuine about this book. It’s a story of bullying but that isn’t all it is.
Joshua is in middle school and for three years he has suffered at the hands of the school bullies. They’ve spread vicious rumors, making all the other kids steer clear of him, and he gets to look forward to weekly beatings. Joshua is alone- that is, until the day that the popular Eve is assigned to be his lab partner. Eve’s popularity doesn’t last for long as her feelings towards Joshua deepen. They are outcasts but they are together.

Throughout the story, Joshua and Eve making other friends here and there and the heart of the book is in overcoming the bullies and changing their school.

I typically cringe when young people say they are in “love”. Most 14 year olds don’t know what that means. The love between Joshua and Eve is so innocent and loyal that I can’t help but root for them. Their love makes them brave when everything and everyone else is against them. Their love draws other people to them. It’s really something special. It may not be love as we think of it (that love develops over time) but it is love all the same.

This is one of those books that you just feel good about the world when you finish reading. The good persevere and the bad gets what’s coming. It’s simple, yet it opens your eyes to a problem that goes on in a lot of schools with a lot of young people. That’s why this book hits you so hard- you know there are kids going through this and you just hope they have friends like Joshua and Eve and Kelsey.

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.