From School Library Journal
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Gr 4-7-The moment 11-year-old Fionn Boyle and his
sister Tara set foot on Arranmore Island, he senses something
unusual: every part of this island off the coast of Dublin calls
to him as if it has been waiting for him to return. Fionn soon
discovers there's a dark force buried deep on Arranmore that has
also been lying in wait. It may be his destiny to confront this
evil as the next Storm Keeper, the Island's magical protector.
Though Fionn is riddled with self-doubt, his character is a
fresh, contemporary take on the "underdog finding his special
purpose" trope. His snarky sparring with Tara and her snobby
crush on Bartley reveals wit and strength Fionn doesn't recognize
in himself and his courage convincingly grows over the course of
the novel. Guiding him toward his future is the siblings'
adventurous grandher Malachy, Arranmore's current Storm
Keeper. His wisdom and patient advice underscore the novel's
themes of remembrance, history, and family. Inspired by her
grandparents' life on the real Arranmore Island, Doyle infuses
every aspect of the novel with the richness of Irish folklore and
culture: readers will be captivated by descriptions of the
Island's beauty and magical history. The perilous climax doesn't
resolve all plot threads, but enough questions are answered to
provide an emotionally satisfying conclusion while teasing the
battle ahead for the lovable crew. VERDICT A first purchase,
modern yet timeless fantasy with plenty of heart and a Celtic
twist.-Marybeth Kozikowski, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook,
NYα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Review
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"Doyle’s writing glows, with the pitch-perfect barbs the young
people sling at each other, the atmospheric weather events, her
masterfully delineated characters ― including the island itself ―
and a page-turning plot. Heart-wrenching and heart-stopping, this
is one gorgeous novel." - New York Times Book Review
"Doyle's prose explodes with lyrical language as she deftly
explores themes of loss, guilt, and how memory weighs on one's
soul. . . . Doyle proves with this exquisite debut that she is a
middle-grade fiction author to watch, and readers can look
forward to the continuing adventures of the Storm Keeper.”
―Booklist, starred review
“Doyle infuses every aspect of the novel with the richness of
Irish folklore and culture: readers will be captivated by
descriptions of the Island's beauty and magical history . . . [a]
modern yet timeless fantasy.” ―School Library Journal, starred
review
“Fans of Harry Potter or Percy Jackson can add Fionn Boyle as a
generous and brave hero from the Emerald Isle.” ―School Library
Connection, starred review
“The engaging construction of magical time travel and Doyle's
beautifully descriptive prose will enchant those looking for an
atmospheric magical adventure.” ―BCCB
“Irish legends collide with modern times in a fast-paced, magical
tale about the ordinary becoming extraordinary. . . . A
distinctive fantasy with depth, humor, and heart.” ―Kirkus
Reviews
"Doyle's vivid imagery and colorful language engages the senses
as she weaves together an atmospheric setting . . . a beautiful
blend of Irish legend and self-discovery." - Shelf Awareness
“Magical in every way.” ―Eoin Colfer, New York Times bestselling
author of the Artemis Fowl series
“Imaginative and exhilarating.” ―Rebecca Stead, Newbery
Award-winning author of When You Reach Me
“Catherine Doyle is one to watch.” ―Lauren Wolk, Newbery Honor
author of Wolf Hollow and Beyond the Bright Sea
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About the Author
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Catherine Doyle grew up beside the Atlantic Ocean in the west of
Ireland. Her love of reading began with great Irish myths and
legends, and fostered in her an ambition to one day write her
own. The Storm Keeper's Island is her debut middle-grade novel
and was inspired by her real-life ancestral home of Arranmore
Island (where her grandparents grew up), and the adventures of
her many sea-faring ancestors. After living in Dublin City for
two years, Catherine is now based in Galway but spends a lot of
her time in the US and London.
www.catherinedoylebooks.com/
@doyle_cat
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