Rating: Not for me

Reading level: Early Elementary

A prudish and entitled mouse finds himself stranded on an island. He comes up with several innovative but unsuccessful methods of getting off the island and dreams of getting back to his beloved wife. I’m guessing Abel’s Island has won literary awards because the main character grows to have patience, grit, creativity and hope.

Possible concerns:

  • Idols. The mouse makes a statue of his wife and talks to her and at times tries to do some sort of telepathic communication with her believing she can hear him.
  • Revenge/hate. Abel wishes horrible things for the owl that is stalking him & has nearly killed him (quicksand with sharp glass to make him suffer kind of wishes). He also chants some sort of incantation against the owl when he finds one of his enemy’s feathers.  On the positive side, there is a striking contrast later in the story when Abel is chased and nearly killed by a cat. He realizes that the cat is “just being a cat” instead of harboring ill will against him.  
  • Nature worship? Abel talks to a star and seems to hear it respond.

You may wish to also check out this book’s review on ChristianParentReviews.com: https://christianparentreviews.com/book-reviews/Abels-Island