Lauren Wolk’s new book, “Candle Island,” came up on my "Suggested for you" page on Instagram. I saw the cover picture…New England island (always a favorite story setting) and that it was written by Wolk (Newbery Award winner), and immediately requested a copy at the library.
Lucretia Sanderson and her mother move to Candle Island, Maine, to escape memories of the horrific car accident that took her father and to find privacy. Lucretia’s mother is a famous artist who does not give interviews and keeps everything about her art very private.
Candle Island, a summer vacation spot, is filled with an entertaining cast of characters from the very privileged summer visitors to a mysterious boy with a magical voice, a family who owns a bell-making foundry and an assortment of interesting island residents.
Upon arriving at their new home, Lucretia finds a secret room that holds even more secrets and connects her to the previous residents in an unusual way. While finding her place on the island and finding that some enemies turn out to be really good friends, Lucretia realizes she needs to address her own secrets.
Jessica Collins is an award-winning writer whose column "On The Children's Shelf" has garnered multiple Connecticut Press Club awards and has been honored nationally. Visit her blog online here.