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Book Review of The Coral Island: A Tale of the Pacific Ocean (R. M. Ballantyne Collection)

The Coral Island: A Tale of the Pacific Ocean (R. M. Ballantyne Collection)
reviewed on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2


I love these books! This one is the first in a series of two ( the second being "Gorilla Hunters"). It is one of Ballantyne's South Pacific books, which are generally slightly more graphic than the others. Three boys become stranded on a pacific island. Together they establish themselves, and live, quietly awaiting rescue, until one of them is captured by pirates and taken to Tahiti. This is the graphic section, for the Polynesians were not kind to their captives. These books are remarkable in that Ballantyne seeks to reveal the nature of the culture he deals with in each one. They are great for boys, 10 and up in particular. And girls too, for that fact of the matter. I read a different one out loud to a 9 y/o, a 5 y/o, and a 3 y/o. They loved it. The 9 y/o actually became so impatient to hear the rest of the story, that he finished it on his own. Then started another one. If you are familiar with Henty, I would definitely recommend Ballantyne. They are well written, captivating, humorous, heartbreaking, and God- Honoring. They support, unlike Henty, a literal 6 day creation and a salvation by Grace alone theology.