Milo and the Mysterious Island
Gr 2-4-This seagoing saga contains aspects of the Columbus story and the "Choose Your Own Adventure" series (Bantam). Milo and his fellow cliff mice sail on a homemade raft to an island where strange, striped mice are reputed to live. Magical stones that give light are in their cargo. When the strangers finally arrive, they see "a crowd of striped mice standing on the beach, waiting for them-." The last 13 pages of the book are split into two endings, one happy and one sad. Will the cliff mice be friendly and cooperative, share their treasures, and hope for the best? Or, will they be fearful, untrusting, and greedy? The fuzzy, subdued illustrations give a mysterious sense of place and a chance for the glittery, golden, magical stones to shine-literally! This well-written story would be a great inspiration for group discussion about the spirit of exploration and encountering people who are different.-Carolyn Jenks, First Parish Unitarian Church, Portland, MECopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.