Theo has struggled with the shift in his relationship with his father since his mother died in a car accident. His new stepmother and stepsister seem to take up all his father’s attention and Theo’s tendency to overcome his anxiety by collecting and reciting fast facts about anything and everything fails to help him feel any more secure, as they sail away on their holiday.
Very soon in the story the ship is caught up in a storm and Theo is thrown overboard (with his ‘emergency kit’ for disasters) and, although his stepsister throws him a life ring, he drifts away and washes up on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Will Theo be able to survive on what he believes is a deserted island and will he be reunited with his family?
As Theo begins to explore the island he soon realises his survival kit is not as practical as he believed, there are mysterious (extinct) birds, a feisty donkey and possibly even a ghost. He eventually meets an eccentric female professor who has strangely resided on the island, due to a shipwreck, for many years. Guided by the professor, Theo slowly begins to understand how nature works, both for and against you, and how one can learn to survive difficult situations. Learning skills rather than just facts gradually becomes his greatest opportunity for survival and also allows him many opportunities to reflect on his relationship with is dad and new blended family.
In a story with a delightful balance between the setting (deserted island and all its challenges) and the plot (finding connections to family and nature), the reader will enjoy the adventure, drama and humorous moments as well as learning a myriad of fascinating facts (always written in italics). The format combines short chapters and scattered illustrations that makes the book both fabulous for the independent reader and also a great read aloud to classes and younger readers .
Each illustration created by Anke is a snapshot of pivotal moments in the story as well as some quite unique depictions of unusual animals. The inclusion of a detailed map of Lost Island on the very first page will immediately capture the imagination of many readers as they begin the adventure with Theo. Your map-loving, fact-collector child will become thoroughly immersed in this story from the outset.
Samantha has written many books that connect children to nature through literature and she has once again gifted us with a story that explores how children can build relationships with nature and with people in a beautiful non-didactic and enjoyable way. Readers aged 8+ are going to love this adventure as they (along with Theo) explore their inner wild.
Teacher notes https://www.uqp.com.au/books/the-lost-island
Title: The Lost Island
Author: Samantha Wheeler
Illustrator: Anke Noack
Publisher: UQP, $ 17.99
Publication Date: 4 August 2026
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780702271182
For ages: 8+
Type: Middle Grade Fiction
