Maria's Island
Victoria Hislop, Gill Smith
A dramatic and moving story set in the same world as the international bestseller The Island from the celebrated novelist Victoria Hislop.
The absorbing story of the Cretan village of Plaka and the tiny, deserted island of Spinalonga – Greece’s former leper colony – is told to us by Maria Petrakis, one of the children in the original version of The Island. She tells us of the ancient and misunderstood disease of leprosy, exploring the themes of stigma, shame and the treatment of those who are different, which are as relevant for children as adults. Gill Smith’s rich, full-colour illustrations will transport the reader to the timeless and beautiful Greek landscape and Mediterranean seascape.
Reviews
A good book about leprocy for older children, Maria's island was short,detailed and overall a great read.
Viscountess Petronella O’Doughnut 01.09.2023
I didn't like this book because I didn't like the thought of people having leprosy. I thought that the story was a bit sad and a bit happy. My favourite character was the cat.
Master Merlin Custard 29.08.2023
beautiful story extraordinary paintings
Marshal Aphrodite Jumpsuit 23.08.2023
I loved this as it reminded me of my favourite holiday
Duchess Cupcake Elephant 22.08.2023
I loved this book because it was very interesting! It's about Greece which is the home country of my parents. My grand parents also live there and I saw myself in the story of Maria who is the protagonist of the book.
Fairy Letizia Peanut-butter 22.07.2023
I liked Maria the best because of the fact that Maria helped all the people with Leprosy and never had stigma. I found out that l couldn't put the book down it was so entertaining
Anonymous 15.07.2023
I really enjoyed reading this book because even though it is fictional it has a strong, deep message that you really take to heart. I love how it is based on events that really happened, the vibrant Greek landscape entrances readers and the characters personality/morals really make feel more drawn to them.
Viscountess Bubbles Desperado 10.07.2023
I think this book is great, it was sad, interesting and factual. It teaches people about leprosy and the island spinalonga. It was factual and I enjoyed marias story. I would recommend this to whoever likes to read factual books
Princess Agnetha Biscuits 10.09.2022
I really liked the book and my favourite character is Maria. I would recommend it to others.
Principal Blueberry Casserole 03.09.2022
Really loved it.
Anonymous 01.09.2022
You can learn about history in this book leprocy was a real disease and it killed people until they found a cure. The book was emotional because the mother died of leprocy before they found a cure. A fact was that when people caught leprocy they were sent to an island called spinalonga. Spinalonga is still there but know one goes there anymore. I would recommend this book to people. i really liked it but it’s sad and it made me cry.
Marshal Peaches Gormenghast 31.08.2022
I like this book inspires me to never give up
Doctor Fifi Mozzarella 31.08.2022
Sweet and romantic
Countess Mildred Fascination 30.08.2022
It was a very good book
General Phoenix Rubber-duck 29.08.2022
This is such a good book. It is very interesting to read and emotional. I read this book non-stop.
Queen Esmerelda Bottlenose 17.08.2022
Good
Mademoiselle Honeycomb Turkey 07.08.2022
I enjoyed this book and my favourite character was Maria. I would recommed it to my friends
Professor Jet Dalmatian 31.07.2022
Amazing!
Principal Orchid Vesuvius 30.07.2022
I thought the book was amazing it was so interesting learning about leprosy and how it effected peoples lives . I really liked Maria and how nice she was but there was also some facts in it so enjoyed learning about that as well as reading it . Yes I would
Princess Morgana Postage-Stamp 20.07.2022
The book was really good, it was a good story and my favourite character was Maria. I liked it when Rita sat down to talk to her yiayia. I would recommend it because it is a really happy story.
Dame Daisy Tyrannosaurus 19.07.2022
