Abel's Island
1976
First Published
3.95
Average Rating
128
Number of Pages
Abel's place in his familiar, mouse world has always been secure; he had an allowance from his mother, a comfortable home, and a lovely wife, Amanda. But one stormy August day, furious flood water carry him off and dump him on an uninhabited island. Despite his determination and stubborn resourcefulness—he tried crossing the river with boats and ropes and even on stepping-stones—Abel can't find a way to get back home. Days, then weeks and months, pass. Slowly, his soft habits disappear as he forages for food, fashions a warm nest in a hollow log, models clay statues of his family for company, and continues to brood on the problem of how to get across the river—and home. Abel's time on the island brings him a new understanding of the world he's separated from. Faced with the daily adventure of survival in his solitary, somewhat hostile domain, he is moved to reexamine the easy way of life he had always accepted and discovers skills and talents in himself that hold promise of a more meaningful life, if and when he should finally return to Mossville and his dear Amanda again.
Avg Rating
3.95
Number of Ratings
5,259
5 STARS
36%
4 STARS
34%
3 STARS
22%
2 STARS
6%
1 STARS
2%
goodreads
Author
William Steig
Author · 39 books
William Steig was born in New York City in 1907. In a family where every member was involved in the arts, it was not surprising that Steig became an artist. He published his first children's book, Roland the Minstrel Pig, in 1968, embarking on a new and very different career. Steig's books reflect his conviction that children want the security of a devoted family and friends. When Sylvester, Farmer Palmer, Abel, Pearl, Gorky, Solomon, and Irene eventually get home, their families are all waiting, and beginning with Amos & Boris, friendship is celebrated in story after story. http://us.macmillan.com/author/willia...
