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Romantic,
Optimistic,
Adventurous

8 reviews

On the Island
by Ms. Tracey L. Garvis Graves

Published: 2012-03-14
Paperback : 332 pages
32 members reading this now
18 clubs reading this now
11 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 7 of 8 members
When thirty-year-old English teacher Anna Emerson is offered a job tutoring T.J. Callahan at his family's summer rental in the Maldives, she accepts without hesitation; a working vacation on a tropical island trumps the library any day.

T.J. Callahan has no desire to leave town, not that ...
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Introduction

When thirty-year-old English teacher Anna Emerson is offered a job tutoring T.J. Callahan at his family's summer rental in the Maldives, she accepts without hesitation; a working vacation on a tropical island trumps the library any day.

T.J. Callahan has no desire to leave town, not that anyone asked him. He's almost seventeen and if having cancer wasn't bad enough, now he has to spend his first summer in remission with his family - and a stack of overdue assignments - instead of his friends.

Anna and T.J. are en route to join T.J.'s family in the Maldives when the pilot of their seaplane suffers a fatal heart attack and crash-lands in the Indian Ocean. Adrift in shark-infested waters, their life jackets keep them afloat until they make it to the shore of an uninhabited island. Now Anna and T.J. just want to survive and they must work together to obtain water, food, fire, and shelter. Their basic needs might be met but as the days turn to weeks, and then months, the castaways encounter plenty of other obstacles, including violent tropical storms, the many dangers lurking in the sea, and the possibility that T.J.'s cancer could return. As T.J. celebrates yet another birthday on the island, Anna begins to wonder if the biggest challenge of all might be living with a boy who is gradually becoming a man.

"On the Island is a clever, captivating story. The characters will live in your thoughts long after you turn the last page." ~ Meira Pentermann, author of Firefly Beach

Editorial Review

No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

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Discussion Questions

Suggested by Members

Do you agree with the societal mores that set the judgement of these two characters?
Would you let your child travel with an unknown adult in a similar situation?
by GrandmaNaNa (see profile) 02/07/13

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

No notes at this time.

Book Club Recommendations

Tropical theme
by GrandmaNaNa (see profile) 02/07/13
mangos, pineapples, coconut milk drinks etc. would be appropriate.

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
  "loved it"by Veronica P. (see profile) 03/07/13

 
  "Moral Dilemma"by Linda E. (see profile) 02/07/13

Two people of different age groups find themselves in a challenging situation. Living closely together in a life threatening situation they develop an emotional bond that is not considered a... (read more)

 
  "On The Island"by Amanda M. (see profile) 08/20/12

 
  "On the Island"by Michelle W. (see profile) 08/17/12

A real page turner....couldn't put the book down until I was done!!!!

 
  "On the Island"by Dana S. (see profile) 08/01/12

I found the story not well developed, the characters not believable more like cardboard cutouts than real people. Everything was tied up too neatly. I would not have finished the book had it not been something... (read more)

 
  "ON the Island"by Jo J. (see profile) 07/11/12

I wasn't particularly looking forward to this book from the description of it that I had read. Started reading it and almost immediately got hooked and really enjoyed the read. It is not o... (read more)

 
  "On the Island"by Stacey C. (see profile) 06/13/12

 
  "A Buried Treasure"by Kristi F. (see profile) 06/06/12

Don't you just love it when you find a hidden treasure? Ab-so-lute-ly!!! I found this treasure while searching reviews and was thrilled when I saw it was only $2.99 for my nook. As you p... (read more)

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