Candle Island

Gr 4-8–It is the late 1960s, and Lucretia “Lucy” Sanderson and her mother have moved to Candle Island for some peace, unaware of the mysteries and drama they would find—and not just from the secret they brought with them. Candle Island has a winter population of 315, which more than doubles in the summer when the wealthy folk come for vacation; and while Lucy and her mother are here to stay, they find themselves not exactly welcomed by everyone on the island. All they wanted was a place to escape the memory of Lucy’s father’s death and the journalists who are looking for an interview with the famous Sanderson artist. Life on the island isn’t so simple; they find an injured bird, a secret room, and a lost cat between them, among other mysteries. What was supposed to be a peaceful move is met with rocky waves and complicated relationships. Wolk’s latest novel wonderfully portrays new relationships while tackling grief and self-discovery. The characters are well developed, and readers can see parts of themselves and those they know. The book also has several small mysteries that readers will be itching to solve. While a work of historical fiction, the story has the modern feel of a quiet life without current technology and trends.