Once on This Island

by Gloria Whelan

Book Overview

From the author of the National Book Award-winning novel Homeless Bird comes a gripping historical novel about a young girl during the British-American War of 1812. When war erupts between England and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0064406199
• Release Date: August 1996
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.6" x 0.4" x 5.1"

Customer Reviews

WONDERFUL

My 13 yr old says she loved it. I had to search to find it! It really gives you an inside look of what life was like back then.(13 yr old's words)

Got a copy as a gift

I got a copy of this book and I like Mary's character. She is straightfoward and truely amazing at times. This is a good read.

One of the greatest historical novels ever!

The year is 1812, and the war between the Americans and the British have caused many changes to Mary's home, Mackinac Island and to Mary's family too. When British troops conquer the island, her father, a patroit, refuses to take the oath of allegience to the British army, and leaves the island to join the American army. Her best friend White Hawk,a Indian raised by white men, decides to stay with his tribe and fight for the British. At first things aren't that bad. Taking care of the family farm is hard labor for Mary, her sister Angelique, and brother Jacques but things are still merry. However things start falling apart as Jacques leaves his two sisters and joins the American army, while Angelique falls in love with a British soldier. Enduring many hardships, Mary has only one dream---that one day her family will be reunited and her best friend White Hawk, who she has a crush on, will return. This was a wonderful novel by Gloria Whelan, the first of a trilogy about Mary. I read this in one sitting and I haven't read anything as good as this in awhile, and I really do read a lot! Great work Mrs. Whelan!

Suggest to all readers!

Once On This Island is a wonderful book about a young girl named Mary O'Shea who lives on the island of Michilimackinac (present day Mackinac Island)during the war of 1812. The island is captured by the British and Mary's father must go to Detroit. He leaves her, her brother Jacques, and her sister Angelique to stay on the island and watch the farm. He never dreamed of how long he would be gone. Read this book to find out what happens while Mary's father is gone.

Best book I've read in a long time!!!

I really enjoyed Once on This Island. It's the War of 1812 and Mary O'Shea and her brother, sister, and father live on the island of Michilimackinac, today's Mackinac Island. I've read this book many times and each time it gets better and better! Please read if you're ready for a good book!