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Published Aug 2011
240 pages
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publication Information
From the acclaimed author of Climbing the Stairs comes a fascinating story set on a remote island untouched by time. Uido is ecstatic about becoming her tribe's spiritual leader, but her new position brings her older brother's jealousy and her best friend's mistrust. And looming above these troubles are the recent visits of strangers from the mainland who have little regard for nature or the spirits, and tempt the tribe members with gifts, making them curious about modern life.
When Uido's little brother falls deathly ill, she must cross the ocean and seek their help. Having now seen so many new things, will Uido have the strength to believe in herself and the old ways? And will her people trust her to lead them to safety when a catastrophic tsunami threatens? Uido must overcome everyone's doubts, including her own, if she is to keep her people safe and preserve the spirituality that has defined them.
Drawing on firsthand experience from her travels to the Andaman Islands, Padma Venkatraman was inspired to write this story after meeting natives who survived the 2004 tsunami and have been able to preserve their unique way of life. Uido's transformation from a young girl to tribal leader will touch both your heart and mind.
"Starred Review. Refreshingly hopeful and beautifully written." - Kirkus Reviews
"Starred Review. Offering an enticing blend of mystic traditions and imaginative speculation, Venkatraman (Climbing the Stairs) beautifully expresses a primitive tribe's connection to nature and their struggle to find safety in the 21st century." - Publishers Weekly
This information about Island's End was first featured
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Padma Venkatraman was born in Chennai, India, but became an American citizen after attaining a Ph.D. in oceanography from The College of William and Mary. Padma's oceanographic research led her to the Andaman Islands, where she lived for a year, in close proximity to tribespeople similar to those in Island's End. Her first young adult novel, Climbing the Stairs, won the Julia Ward Howe Award and was a Book Sense Notable, Booklist Best Book of the Year, Bank Street College of Education Best Book, New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, YALSA BBYA selection, Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People, and CCBC Choice. She lives with her family in Rhode Island. You can visit her online at www.cliofindia.com/padma.
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