Orphan Island

Orphan Island is a captivating novel by Laurel Snyder that tells the story of Jinny, one of nine orphans living on a mysterious island. Each year, a new child arrives in a green boat and the oldest orphan must leave, following the island's unspoken rules. The children live in harmony with nature, with no adults to guide them, and the island provides for all their needs. As Jinny becomes the eldest, she is faced with the responsibility of teaching the newest arrival, Ess, about the island's ways. However, Jinny struggles with the idea of leaving the safety and familiarity of the island when her time comes. The novel explores themes of growing up, letting go, and the bittersweet nature of change. Jinny's internal conflict and her eventual decision to challenge the status quo drive the narrative to a thought-provoking conclusion that leaves readers questioning the true nature of the island and the fate of its inhabitants.