Jewel Lagoon: Elastic Island Adventures

Description

Four children, Kiri, Jed, and twins Emma and Ethan, discover an `elastic' island that can send them pinging across the ocean to a variety of tropical island destinations. Landing at Jewel Lagoon on Trinity Island, the children quickly nd themselves in trouble. But even with help from the colourful creatures they meet - Pangali the Platypus, Olaf the Giant, and Big Wig and Wee Wig Knockulous - will they be able to return home safely?

Karen McMillan lives in New Zealand and is the author of 16 books, published in nine countries, a mixture of fiction, non-fiction and children's books. Karen has a Diploma in Professional Writing and an Advanced Diploma of Applied Arts (Writing). Love Bytes was originally published as Love in Aotearoa by Random House and the book was short-listed for the Ashton Wylie Book Award in 2005. Everyday Strength represented New Zealand in the Gourmand World Awards 2018 in the Health and Nutrition category. She is also the author of the popular Elastic Island Adventure series for children, that is in early development to be made into a TV series. Previously an award-winning fashion designer, Karen has worked in the book publishing industry for the past 18 years. Karen has written articles for a variety of different publications and from time to time she undertakes ghost-writing projects. She has also volunteered for many years for her local hospice, writing articles that promote the life-affirming work that they do. Karen is a breast cancer survivor. www.karenm.co.nz

"The book is aimed at younger independent readers, aged between eight and 12-years-old, it's an action packed and fast paced read. McMillan has pitched to the age perfectly, making it easy but not simple or boring for younger readers. Rich language, especially adverbs, will also help inspire and delight those tackling the book on their own. However, it is a wonderful read aloud story as well, with plenty of voice and delightful characters to animate, expanding the audience further. Jewel Lagoon will inspire the next generation of Kiwi writers, while also appealing to those readers who start to lose momentum around that age, the so called 'reluctant' reader. It's a fast paced, exciting, and original story that keeps you entertained from the beginning to the very end." -NZ Booklovers 'The story is wildly creative and populated with an array of vibrant characters, including adaptations of animals many children will recognise. The four main characters: Kiri, Jed, and twins Emma, and Ethan, have distinct personalities and varying skill sets which help them navigate through the challenges they face on their adventure. Children will identify with particular characters as they find common denominators with their own lives. The story works as a stand-alone read and there's plenty of scope for more tropical island adventures in this series.' Flaxflower "An enjoyable and entertaining runaway adventure for children with a cast of colourful characters, including four children transported by an elastic island to a kingdom in trouble. I was hooked from the beginning." Terry Toner, Radio Southland "A fast-paced, original story aimed at readers eight to 12." North & South Magazine "I was hooked into this book from the very start - Miss Eight and I read it together and talked about it as we finished each chapter, something she loves doing. It is about the right level for her; the text is well constructed but not too difficult for a reader her age. And the story has all the elements that appeal to children with a sense of adventure: an island that doubles as a new means of transport, a group of children off on an amazing quest, "goodies" and "baddies", and a big problem that only these children are able to fix. McMillan writes well; the story is exciting, fast moving, and extremely well crafted. It is refreshing to read a new book in the fantasy genre, and we both look forward to reading the second book in the series." Kiwi Reviews