Sue Whiting (text) and Rebecca Crane (illustrator), Pearly and Pig and the Island of Secrets (Pearly and Pig #3), Walker Books Australia, March 2024, 190 pp., RRP $15.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781760657697
Firstly, a big congratulations to Sue Whiting, Rebecca Crane and Walker Books for Pearly and Pig and the Lost City of Mu Savan (book #2) which was named a notable in the Younger Reader category for the 2024 CBCA Book of the Year awards.
Pearly and Pig and the Island of Secrets is the third Pearly and Pig story, and this series is only getting stronger in my opinion.
Again, readers follow Pearly and her more-than-a-pet pig, Pig, as they tackle the wilds of nature, this time in the cold and rugged climate of Iceland. Still aspiring to live up the family legacy of adventurers, Pearly has reservations about the task her grandmother has set her. Pearly is keenly aware that tapping out would demonstrate a lack of determination and skill, but much of this seems to be Pearly’s own self talk.
Soon after her arrival on the island Pearly and Pig learn that they are not alone. They meet the de Klerk family who claim to be studying puffins, though Pearly suspects something fishy is afoot. Casper de Klerk is a fun character in this book. He and Pearly could be good friends, if not for Casper’s rudeness.
As I’ve said in reviews for other books in this series, it is definitely aimed at an 8-11 year old audience. And while this is Pearly’s third adventure, readers will not feel left behind if they haven’t read the first two books already. They can jump straight into this one. Which is a great move by the author and publisher. There are also classroom activities and notes at the publisher’s website.
Reviewed by Cherie Bell
