Synopses & Reviews
A sighting of the rare frangipani fruit fly sends Lilly's scientist parents off in search of the fabled Shipwreck Islands. In this Smithsonian's Notable Book for Children, Lilly awaits their return at the home of her great-uncle Ernest, the chief librarian of Mundelaine, a town that seems to have more than its share of piratical-looking characters lurking about. When news comes that her parents' ship has wrecked, she must overcome her fear of the sea, find the hidden island, and outsmart a bunch of treasure-hungry pirates to save the day.
Review
"Th[e] transformation from skittish bookworm to swashbuckling pirate girl is the real buried treasure in this enjoyably preposterous, emotionally resonant, library-revering adventure. Shepperson's cartoonish pencil illustrations are as wonderfully detailed, action-packed, and good-humored as the story."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Review
"Ten-year-old Lilly has always joined her scientist parents on their expeditions, but their voyage to the Shipwreck Islands will be so dangerous that they send her to stay with Great-Uncle Ernest instead. In his seaside town, everyone seems to have a secret (and possibly a pirate past). Even the library's one book on the Shipwreck Islands has its own secret. ... Whether puzzling out who's who and what's what or just enjoying Lilly's exciting exploits, many children will relate to this rather cozy adventure story and its lovably flawed heroine. Like the story, Shepperson's many full-page illustrations are lively, engaging, and occasionally humorous."--Booklist
Review
* "[An] enjoyably preposterous, emotionally resonant, library-revering adventure." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Review
"Many children will relate to this rather cozy adventure story and its lovably flawed heroine." --Booklist
Review
"Full of adventure and questions of 'What next?'" --Library Media Connection
About the Author
Phyllis Root has been writing for children for thirty years and has published more than forty books for young children. She currently teaches in the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program at Hamline University.
Rob Shepperson lives in Croton-on-Hudson, New York, with his wife and two daughters. His droll editorial drawings appear regularly in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post. He is also illustrator of David Harrison's Bugs and The Big House by Carolyn Coman.