Gold - Softcover

Mills, Geraldine

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1910411558 ISBN 13: 9781910411551

Publisher: Little Island Books, 2017

Synopsis

Esper and Starn are twin boys who live in a grim world that has been almost laid waste by massive volcanic explosions. Very little grows in Orchard, which used to be a fruit-growing area, but with the death of insects and birds, pollination of the fruit trees is a tedious and precarious undertaking. When the boys discover an intriguing old manuscript in a locked room in their apartment, which tells of gold on one of the forbidden islands the people can see from the coastline, they determine to go on a gold-hunt. They manage to construct a glider that takes them far from their home territory, and so begins a whole new adventure for the boys, as they travel from island to island in search of gold. Their adventures are many and they come close to death. They do in the end, find the gold—but it is nothing like what they expected. 

About this title

About the Author:

Geraldine Mills is a poet and short-story writer. This is her first children's book.

From School Library Journal:

Gr 4–6—Twin brothers Esper and Starn long for a world devoid of darkness and ash after massive volcanic explosions leave their world in ruins. The government, policed by the authoritarian Sagittars, is harsh and cruel. The boys' father works at the Orchard, where he helps pollinate fruit trees. One day, Esper dares Starn to break into the "forbidden room" in their apartment, an area that has been off-limits since their mother and sister died. They discover a hidden map left by their great-aunt, which describes a path to islands with gold that can help save their dying world. With courage and bravado, the brothers construct a hand glider and set out across the ashen horizon toward the forbidden islands. Strong world-building and thought-provoking themes make this ideal for tweens looking for dystopian tales. VERDICT Though not as dark and disturbing as more YA dystopian offerings, this postapocalyptic tale nevertheless keeps the adventure thrilling and will enchant fans of both fantasy and fantastic sci-fi.—H. Islam, Brooklyn Public Library

About this edition

• Publisher: Little Island Books
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1910411558
• ISBN 13: 9781910411551
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240