X-Isle - Hardcover

Augarde, Steve

3.39

744 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0385751931 ISBN 13: 9780385751933

Publisher: David Fickling Books, 2010

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Ever since the floods came and washed the world away, survivors have been desperate to win a place on X-Isle, the island where life is rumored to be easier than on what's left of the mainland. Only young boys stand a chance of getting in, the smaller and lighter the better. Baz and Ray are two of the lucky few to be chosen, but they soon discover that X-Isle is a far cry from paradise. Ruled by Preacher John, a dangerous religious fanatic, it's a violent, unpredictable place, where terrible things can happen at any moment. The boys hatch an extraordinary plan in order to protect themselves-the construction of a mighty weapon of defense. But can they complete this weapon in time, and are they really prepared to use it to secure their freedom?

Powerful and compelling, X-Isle is a fast-moving thriller and a great read for boys. Filled with suspense, fights, adventure, and mystery, this is a book that will keep you guessing right to the very end.

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About the Author:

Steve Augarde was born in Birmingham, England, but spent most of his life in the West Country, working as an illustrator, paper engineer, and semi-pro jazz musician. He has written and illustrated over 70 picture books for younger children and has produced the paper engineering for many pop-up books, including those by other artists-as well as providing the artwork and music for two animated BBC television series. His first book for older children, The Various, won a Smarties Silver Award in 2003. Steve is married, with two daughters, and lives in Yorkshire.

From School Library Journal:

Gr 7 Up–A catastrophic flood has covered the world, leaving most of human civilization underwater. Life on the mainland is so hard that survivors compete to have their young sons taken away to an offshore island. It is rumored that on this island, used as a base for divers who scavenge underwater warehouses, the chosen boys must work for their keep but are safe and well fed. However, when Baz's father manages to win him passage with a valuable bribe, Baz finds that island conditions are much worse than he expected. He and the other boys live in a single filthy room. They are worked to the point of exhaustion, barely fed, and sometimes tortured. Preacher John, the island's leader and a self-appointed prophet, begins to use his Sunday sermons to suggest that God demands human sacrifice to make the flood waters recede. The boys' lives may be in danger, and they slowly begin to formulate a plan to turn the tables on their oppressors. A last-minute plot twist, though heavily foreshadowed, isn't quite worked through. But readers looking for grit, suspense, and a good underdog story will find much here to enjoy.Hayden Bass, Seattle Public Library, WA
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