Five on a Treasure Island by Enid Blyton: Book Review

Title: Five on a Treasure Island
Author: Enid Blyton
Illustrator: Eileen A. Soper
Series: The Famous Five #1
Genre: Mystery, Adventure
Audience: Middle Grade
Format: Paperback

My Synopsis:

Julian, Dick, and Anne are disappointed when their parents announce plans to vacation alone in Scotland. The children quickly change their tune when they learn that they will be spending the summer at their aunt and uncle’s house on the coast with their cousin George (Don’t ever call her Georgina) and her dog, Timmy. What follows is a glorious summer of swimming, canoeing, and exploring George’s private island.

My Review:

I’ve heard of Enid Blyton but I’ve never read any of her books before. I don’t know if she wasn’t as popular in the US in general or if my library simply didn’t have her books. Either way, I feel a bit deprived. I would have loved this book as a child!

As an adult who is more than willing to read a book for any age group, I still enjoyed it but I wish I were coming to it with a child’s innocence. Now, I find it astounding that George’s parents are like, “You want to spend a couple of nights on an island by yourselves, children? Here are your sandwiches.” I wonder what has caused that cultural shift? Smaller families and more time to worry about each child? Higher crime rates? It’s just something to ponder.

Julian, Dick, Anne, George, and Timmy are a fun little crew and their explorations feel like the stuff of childhood dreams. Anne, the youngest, is slightly timid; Dick and George are maybe a little too brave; and Julian seems to be the level-headed one. Timmy is just excited to be around his beloved pals.

If you’re looking to re-capture some childhood innocence or want to share some nostalgia with the children in your life, give this book a try. I smiled my way through it, reliving my own small summer adventures.

Recommended by:

Heather at Random Redheaded Ramblings

Similar Books:

If you liked Five on a Treasure Island, you might also like my reviews of

• The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall, read by Susan Denaker
• The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
• Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

I haven’t reviewed this series (yet?), but The Melendy Quartet by Elizabeth Enright, beginning with The Saturdays, also has a comparable feel.

Purchase:

Buy Five on a Treasure Island from Malaprop’s Bookstore in Asheville, NC.

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