Island of Whispers

A remarkable and ultimately heartwarming story of grief, family, kindness, and being true to yourself. Multiple starred reviews and a rave from the New York Times Book Review, which praised it as "incredibly hopeful."

Part gothic thriller and part seafaring coming-of-age story, this new illustrated middle grade fantasy from award-winning author Frances Hardinge and acclaimed illustrator Emily Gravett is about a strange island filled with ghosts and long-buried secrets.

On the island of Merlank, the Dead must not be allowed to linger. The very sight of their ghosts can kill you. When young Milo is thrust into the role of Ferryman following his father's sudden death, he is the one who must carry away the Dead.

Pursued by a vengeful lord and two malignant magicians, Milo must navigate strange and perilous seas where untold threats whisper in the mist. Does he have the courage and imagination to complete his urgent mission?

A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Boston Globe Best Book of the Year
A Horn Book Fanfare List selection

Author: Frances Hardinge
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Published: 08/27/2024
Pages: 120
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.38lbs
Size: 10.12h x 7.95w x 0.63d
ISBN: 9781419774331
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.7
Point Value: 2
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 551209 / Island of Whispers


Review Citation(s):
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 07/01/2024
Kirkus Reviews 06/15/2024
Horn Book Magazine 07/01/2024 pg. 127
Publishers Weekly 07/08/2024
Booklist 08/01/2024 pg. 78
Shelf Awareness 08/29/2024
BookPage 12/01/2024
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2024 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style
School Library Journal 01/10/2025 pg. 1

About the Author
Frances Hardinge is the winner of the Costa Book of the Year for The Lie Tree, one of just two young adult novels to win the major UK literary prize. Known for her beautiful use of language, Hardinge has written many critically acclaimed novels, including Unraveller, Deeplight, A Skinful of Shadows, Cuckoo Song, Gullstruck Island, Fly by Night, Verdigris Deep, and Fly Trap. She lives in England. Visit her at franceshardinge.com. Emily Gravett is the winner of two CILIP Kate Greenaway Medals. Emily first sprang into the limelight with the groundbreaking Wolves, which has been followed by such modern classics as Meerkat Mail, Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears, Monkey and Me, Again!, the Bear and Hare series, Tidy, Old Hat, Cyril and Pat, and Meerkat Christmas. Emily lives in Brighton, England, with her family.