Aguiar, Nadia

The Lost Island of Tamarind

First, I think this book is meant to be the beginning of a series because the story was not finished completely at the end. It was just published last year, so hopefully a sequel is coming. At 436 pages, I wouldn't recommend it for beginning readers, but older elementary and up to high school students should find it entertaining. It's about three siblings who are cast away upon an island not found on any maps, and which most people cannot reach. Tamarind is reminiscent of Never-Never-Land, and the children have a great adventure while trying to find their parents and escape the island (something that has rarely, if ever, been done).

Things parents should be aware of:
a woman who steals children to make them work in mines (they escape and free the other kids)
pirates
man-eating vines

If you think your kids can handle those things, they will enjoy this book very much. It was only mildly frightening in the scariest parts, and those were few. There is a lot of mystery and adventure, which I found very enjoyable.