Review by Booklist Review
In the wake of "The Most Totally, Terribly, Horribly, Heinously Rotten Year of All Time," Milton's divorcing parents send him off to stay with his naturalist uncle, Evan, on aptly named Lone Island, where he meets the three likewise friendless children of the island's other resident scientists. The island is about to be sold off to real-estate developers unless proof of its unique species can be found, but its interior is blocked by impenetrable walls of "Truth-Will-Out" vine. Milton learns that admitting his true feelings aloud causes the vines to peel back, sparking an expedition that leads to encounters with a many-armed "Push-Pull Centopus," "Menu-You" fruit that tastes like anything you want, and other wonders. More important (to judge from the author's emphasis), the opportunities for the children to work through mutual suspicion and personal issues lead to an understanding of the importance of true friendship. The remote island filled with Dr. Dolittle--style flora and fauna helps to keep this message-driven tale afloat, and readers will likely wish for even more scenes with the imaginative fancies.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Sixth grader Milton P. Greene is having the "Most Totally, Terribly, Horribly, Heinously Rotten Year of All Time" in this contemporary story that turns fantastical. He's ending the school year friendless, his parents are on the verge of divorce, and he harbors painful memories of a humiliating school experience known as "The Bird Brain Incident." Milton has grown out of his "Nature Phase" and wants only to retreat into escapism via beloved video game Isle of Wild, so he's underwhelmed when an invitation from his uncle Evan, a biologist studying a secluded island, results in Milton heading halfway around the world to give his parents space. Initially disappointed by Lone Island's lack of electricity, pale-skinned, skinny Milton reluctantly befriends the progeny of the island's other scientists, including brilliant Fig, who has brown skin, and energetic, bronze-skinned brothers Rafi and Gabe; together, the kids search for a hidden treasure that will keep the island and its inhabitants from defaulting to corporate ownership. If myriad quests sap some momentum toward story's end, Redman (Quintessence) renders compassionate characters in Milton and crew, placing an emphasis on honesty and emotional directness that makes for an affirming adventure. Ages 8--12. Agent: Sara Crowe, Pippin Properties. (May)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
When life deals precocious, friendless Milton P. Greene a blow, he escapes into his hand-held video game. Exploring the game's island with intrepid naturalist Sea Hawk is impossible after Milton's divorcing parents send him to visit his real-life naturalist uncle on an actual tropical island with no electricity and that used to be owned by Uncle Evan's mentor, the late Dr. Ava Paradis. Still smarting from the loss of his only friend, Milton gets the chance at a friendship reboot after meeting the resident scientists' children, Rafi and Gabe Alvarez and Fig Morris. Though unfriendly Rafi rebuffs him, Fig, if skeptical, welcomes his company. Dr. Paradis had described amazing flora and fauna, but despite scientists' efforts, few have been verified, as the impenetrable Truth-Will-Out Vine closed off the interior after her death. When Milton discovers how to part the vines, he finds Dr. Paradis' field guide--a mystery until Fig decodes it. Learning that the island will almost certainly be sold to a developer, Rafi and Gabe unexpectedly join the urgent quest to find species like the Push-Pull Centopus and Menu-You Bush and prevent the sale. The story is entertaining and fast-moving but suffers from slapdash execution and jarring shifts in tone. The silly flora and fauna, played for laughs, clash with potentially effective messages about bullying, loneliness, and family breakup and undercut the sincere environmentalist theme. Milton is presumed White; Rafi and Gabe are Latinx, and Fig is cued as Black. All the ingredients of a first-rate fantasy, disappointingly half-baked. (Fantasy. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
