Synopsis: Nim's island is the most beautiful place in the world. But one day her father gets stranded in his boat, and disaster threatens her island. Nim must be brave, but who will come to her rescue?

Review: Many young readers will be familiar with Nim's story through the recently released film. This edition features an image from that on the cover, but the body of the text thankfully remains unencumbered by someone else's interpretation of the story. Nim has grown up on the island from which her explorer mother disappeared, living alone with her father, a scientist, and indigenous creatures which she treats as pets. She guards her idyllic lifestyle jealously, and the threat of a visiting tourist boat is something she can't bear. Father and daughter communicate with the outside world by email, and when her father vanishes, it is Nim's emails to one of his colleagues which keep her hoping and planning for his rescue. Despite her mother's lifestyle and her own independence, Nim is bitterly disappointed to discover that her would-be rescuer is a woman, and we sense from the preview of the sequel appended to this edition that this may cause further problems once her father returns.

 In Nim's story we see a girl growing up, learning to think and act for herself, taking her destiny in her own hands. In doing so she faces not only practical dilemmas but also philosophical uncertainties which she must resolve before she can move on. Delightfully illustrated, Nim's story is easily accessible for younger readers, and provides a pacy and exciting adventure story. Below the surface however are thought-provoking questions which turn this small novel into a far deeper work which will engage readers of all ages.

2008-05-28