Allreaders.com
Author William Steig booklist (click here)

Book Review By Laura Southcombe
Abel's Island by William Steig

Abel is a spoiled wealthy mouse who lives in comfort, enjoying champagne and caviar. He never had to work or worry about getting the necessary things in life. Abel gets married, and one day he and his new wife Amanda go out for a picnic. A big storm breaks out, forcing them to hide in a cave. When Amanda's scarf is blown away by the wind, Abel runs out to catch it. He falls into the river and gets carried away by the stream.

When Abel finds himself on an island, he is at first unconcerned. He thinks that a rescue team will be sent out in no time to find such a socially important mouse as himself. However, time goes by, and no rescuers come. Abel has to learn to take care of himself. He begins by exploring the island and making himself a shelter in a rotten log. Then he starts searching for food. Although he terribly misses his old life of leisure, Abel proves to be a very inventive and capable fellow. He learns how to start fire, pick seeds and mushrooms, make pottery. When a mean owl shows up and attacks him, Abel successfully defends himself and fights it off. He also keeps searching for a way to get away from the island and make it to the shore. He tries to use a rope and build a bridge and a catapult, but at first nothing seems to work.

Abel spends a year on the island. When he finally makes it home, he is quite a different creature. Not only he is wiser and stronger, he has also discovered a talent of a sculptor in himself, which he intends to use so that he no longer depends on his mother's money.


Plot & Themes
Animal story Yes
Kind of animal:
Is this an adult or child's book? - Age 7-10
Exploring into the wild Yes
kind of story - stranded on island
Animal talks/thinks aloud? Yes

Main Character
Gender - Male
Profession/status:

Main Adversary
Identity: - none

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 5 ()
Island? Yes
Island: - stranded

Writing Style
Amount of dialog - little dialog
Back To Main Menu