Island of Whispers by Frances Hardinge. Illus. by Emily Gravett

I am a fan of Costa Book Award-winning Frances Hardinge’s books (The lie tree,  Cuckoo song and Unraveller) and was intrigued when I read that she and award winning illustrator Emily Gravett had collaborated in a picture book. And what a stunning collaboration! Hardinge’s wonderful authorship brings to life the story of Milo, a young boy who lives on the island of Merlank. His father is the ferryman who carries away the Dead who must not be allowed to linger as their ghosts can kill. When his father is killed, he must take over the job, and what a difficult job it is. All the shoes of the dead must be collected so the ghosts would follow onto the ship and then there is a hazardous journey though dangerous seas until the Dead could be left on another island to join their friends and family. Meanwhile a young girl has just died on the island and her father the Lord of Merlank is determined to bring her back to life. He follows Milo’s ship and with the help of two magicians tries to wreck it. Milo must use all his ingenuity to complete his task and evade the Lord and his magicians.

Accompanying Hardinge’s lyrical prose are Gravett’s black, blue and white illustrations that add depth and feeling to the story. The eerie atmosphere of the ghosts on the ship is perfectly captured and the headless bird is very frightening. I loved the gorgeous cover with its silver moths and the character of Milo is drawn with a few brushstrokes.

This is not a picture book for young children but one that will appeal to readers aged 12+ who will need the maturity to deal with the idea of the dead being ferried to their resting place. The themes of coming of age, kindness and use of imagination as well as dealing with grief will also appeal to adults and readers who enjoy books by Neil Gaiman.

Themes: Death, ghosts, Magic islands, Coming of age.

Pat Pledger