Treasure Island, with eBook
(Libby/OverDrive eAudiobook)

Gr. 5-9. This is one of the best in the picture-book-size Scribner Storybook Classic series. True to the spirit of Stevenson's timeless novel, Timothy Meis' abridged retelling captures the bloody action of mutiny on the high seas and the cutthroat quest for hidden treasure. The story is told through the eyes of brave cabin boy Jim, who fights off the murderous pirates and bonds with their one-legged leader, Long John Silver. Wyeth's thrilling, handsomely reproduced paintings, originally done in 1911, will attract a variety of readers, including some older high-schoolers. In dark shades of brown and red, the pictures focus on the grim, exciting struggle on board the ship and on the island. At the same time, there's a burning golden glow in the background of almost every scene, keeping readers in mind of the treasure that drives the wild action. The most unforgettable painting--and one of Wyeth's most famous--is the melancholy scene of Jim leaving home as his mother weeps in the background. It's the elemental adventure. --Hazel Rochman Copyright 2003 Booklist

Sure, this summer's flick Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End may have visual splash, but a new recording of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, read by Alfred Molina, serves up a swashbuckling listening experience for the whole family. Molina's British accent, smooth delivery and inviting tone of wide-eyed adventure whisk readers on deck with teenage narrator/protagonist Jim Hawkins. His depictions of gruff seamen and the program's occasional snippets of sea chantey music further color the proceedings. A bonus essay by maritime scholar David Cordingly is included. (Listening Library, unabridged, six CDs, seven hours $29.95 ISBN 9780-7393-5046-1 ages 9-up; July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Gr 2-5-This fast-paced, pared down "storyteller's version" of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic will captivate listeners thanks to Jim Weiss's ability to bring a story to life. Weiss begins by briefly discussing Stevenson's life and explaining how the celebrated author came to create the novel. After this fine introduction, he treats listeners to an entertaining adaptation of the adventure that is easy to follow. Young Jim Hawkins discovers a treasure map and takes to the high seas to claim the treasure. Battling Hawkins is a vindictive group of pirates led by the duplicitous peg-legged Long John Silver. Weiss has fun with the characters, especially the boisterous Silver, the shrill Ben Gunn, and a parrot that loves squawking "Pieces of Eight! Pieces of Eight!" He uses his voice effectively when describing both the terror Hawkins feels hiding from bad guys and the sudden noise of a gun battle. Jim Weiss ends by telling kids to find the book at their local library. An hour long program cannot do complete justice to Stevenson's classic, but this skillful presentation will encourage young listeners to read Treasure Island.-Brian E. Wilson, Evanston Public Library, IL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

These adaptations are so poor that it is a disgrace for the original author's name to appear on the book; the old classic comic-book renditions had more integrity. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr. 9-12. This illustrated collection, the ninth volume in the Graphic Classics series, uses visuals by many artists to highlight and retell some of the nineteenth-century writer's novels, poetry, and short fiction. The adaptation of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, though abridged, follows the basic story line. It's the art that surprises. Although the realistic style used in the first part of the story, with its heavy line work and ornate backgrounds, contrasts starkly with the softened, more modern style employed in the second, both convey the underlying darkness of the tale. In stories such as "The Distinguished Stranger" and "The Yellow Paint," the pictures allow Stevenson's humor and wit to shine through. Added bonuses include an illustrated tribute to Stevenson by the infamous Crumb brothers, Maxon and Robert, which recalls their childhood fascination with Treasure Island, and a short, comical biography of Stevenson. A good choice to help introduce Stevenson, with enough humor and irony to grab teens addicted to the likes of Mad magazine. ((Reviewed September 15, 2004)) Copyright 2004 Booklist Reviews.

Gr. 5-9. This is one of the best in the picture-book-size Scribner Storybook Classic series. True to the spirit of Stevenson's timeless novel, Timothy Meis' abridged retelling captures the bloody action of mutiny on the high seas and the cutthroat quest for hidden treasure. The story is told through the eyes of brave cabin boy Jim, who fights off the murderous pirates and bonds with their one-legged leader, Long John Silver. Wyeth's thrilling, handsomely reproduced paintings, originally done in 1911, will attract a variety of readers, including some older high-schoolers. In dark shades of brown and red, the pictures focus on the grim, exciting struggle on board the ship and on the island. At the same time, there's a burning golden glow in the background of almost every scene, keeping readers in mind of the treasure that drives the wild action. The most unforgettable painting--and one of Wyeth's most famous--is the melancholy scene of Jim leaving home as his mother weeps in the background. It's the elemental adventure. ((Reviewed August 2003)) Copyright 2003 Booklist Reviews

One forgets how much modern tales of swashbuckling owe to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic. MacDonald's retelling, an entry in Barron's Graphic Classics series, has all the important elements: the daring young apprentice, the tricky old seadog, the ruthless band of pirates, and, of course, buried treasure. Unfortunately, the pages are a bit too tightly packed, and each panel is overcaptioned with dry prose, which dilutes the tale's excitement and spectacle. The full-color art is highly detailed and realistically gritty, and the power of the narrative is impossible to suppress. A way into a classic for reluctant readers, this book, suggested for larger collections, is also a good reminder of what a rousing pirate yarn is all about. Footnotes on seagoing terms, background on the story and on Stevenson himself, and notes on pirates in the movies round out the book. Other adaptations in the series include Oliver Twist and Moby Dick. ((Reviewed March 15, 2007)) Copyright 2007 Booklist Reviews.

Gr. 3^-5, younger for reading aloud. As in the other volumes of the Poetry for Young People series, this illustrated collection of verse begins with a well-written, four-page introduction to the poet. These poems, chosen mainly from A Child's Garden of Verses, are colorfully illustrated and notable for their detailed brushstrokes of gentle colors. They interpret the verse in a style that is fanciful without looking too juvenile for a middle-grade audience. Younger children will find the poems and illustrations to their liking as well. A taste of Stevenson for young readers. ((Reviewed March 15, 2000)) Copyright 2000 Booklist Reviews

Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island remains vitally influential. Think treasure maps, the pirate with the wooden leg and a parrot on his shoulder, bad franchise restaurants, and a flotilla of pirate movies. Fiction writers also pay homage. In Lighthousekeeping (2005), Jeanette Winterson puts a spin on Stevenson's classic boy's tale with her hero, Young Silver, an orphaned girl. First-time novelist Levine goes one better by having her unnamed protagonist, a woman in her twenties who is stupendously running amok, seize on Treasure Island as a self-help book. She swears to live by what she discerns as the book's "core values," namely "boldness, resolution, independence, and horn-blowing." Her Treasure Island obsession engenders wildly disastrous and hilarious predicaments as she wreaks havoc at her place of tenuous employment, the Pet Library; acquires a cranky parrot; alienates her boyfriend; and moves back in with her parents and sister, a lonely third-grade teacher. Levine's desperate, mean, scamming, dangerously narcissistic, and sinking-fast protagonist ends up outing family secrets, committing a despicable crime, and generally terrorizing everyone, herself included. Levine marshals a swashbuckling and mordant imagination, tonic irony, cunning humor, and standup-comic timing to create one supersmart, topsy-turvy chick-lit satire. Copyright 2012 Booklist Reviews.

Editor Stoneley provides a brief introduction, complete with publication histories, for fiction by Stevenson that is under 50,000 words. The chronological arrangement allows readers to see Stevenson's development as a writer adept at interpreting the human condition. Stevenson knew how to tell spellbinding stories with an intelligence and wit that can still be enjoyed today. Moreover, his concern about the nature of good and evil is universal, and his treatments of race, class, and gender give us a 19th-century perspective that is helpful in our own struggles with these issues. Libraries without a similar collection will want this one, although they should know that the absence of notes is sometimes a problem for topical references and dialects.-- Judy Mimken, Saginaw, Mich. Copyright 1991 Cahners Business Information.

Boldness. Resolution. Independence. Horn blowing. These are the key qualities attributed to Jim Hawkins, protagonist of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, by the hapless, unnamed, 25-year-old female narrator of this debut novel by Levine. The underemployed slacker becomes ludicrously obsessed with Treasure Island, seeing in the novel a model of behavior that will permit her to throw off the shackles of her banal existence, starting with her part-time job in an animal-lending "pet library." Her first act is to steal cash from her employer to purchase a parrot that will sit on her shoulder spouting appropriate words of encouragement, Treasure Island-style, but that soon becomes her nemesis when it requires care and proves difficult to train. Our empathy-impaired narrator confuses irresponsibility with bravery and selfishness with self-sufficiency, and this results in a hilarious sequence of minor catastrophes befalling her friends and family, a circle of comically inept enablers. VERDICT Though it is hard to conceive of, let alone root for, such a morally bankrupt and emotionally stunted character, this highly original, farcical novel will keep you entertained in spite of (or more accurately, because of) its toxic narrator. [See Prepub Alert, 9/12/11.]—Lauren Gilbert, Sachem P.L., Holbrook, NY

In this sassy first novel from an instructor at the Art Institute of Chicago, a woman needing a life fix hooks onto Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island as her salvation. After all, there's so much to learn from hero Jim Hawkins: courage, resolution…and horn-blowing. Clearly, this rather spoofs the whole heal-myself memoir genre and sounds like delicious good fun. And since Alice Sebold selected it for publication, you should pay attention.

Tim Gregory captures the essence of this classic coming-of-age tale featuring villainous buccaneers, buried treasure, murder, treachery and adventure on the high seas. We follow the exploits of young Jim Hawkins along his voyage for treasure aboard the Hispaniola to his showdown with the villain Long John Silver on Treasure Island. Gregory introduces a host of uniquely rendered characters, with Silver and his pirates matching wits and weapons with Hawkins and his comrades as they battle for control of Treasure Island and a share of Captain Flint's long lost treasure. Gregory's rendering of the iconic characters—particularly the duplicitous Silver and the marooned and raving Ben Gunn—are nuanced, true to the text and utterly enjoyable. He avoids the easy clichs of the pirate genre and instead portrays complex characters in a performance that will delight listeners of all ages. (June)

Sure, this summer's flick Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End may have visual splash, but a new recording of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, read by Alfred Molina, serves up a swashbuckling listening experience for the whole family. Molina's British accent, smooth delivery and inviting tone of wide-eyed adventure whisk readers on deck with teenage narrator/protagonist Jim Hawkins. His depictions of gruff seamen and the program's occasional snippets of sea chantey music further color the proceedings. A bonus essay by maritime scholar David Cordingly is included. (Listening Library, unabridged, six CDs, seven hours $29.95 ISBN 9780-7393-5046-1 ages 9-up; July) Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

The Scribner Storybook Classic line adds Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, abridged by Timothy Meis, with vintage illustrations by N.C. Wyeth. Young Jim Hawkins finds a treasure map and follows it to South America, only to wind up in the hands of the notorious pirate Long John Silver. Climactic scenes of aggressive mutineers or the hero's valiant attempt to keep the evil Mr. Hands at bay come alive in Wyeth's atmospheric oil paintings. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Stevenson's short stories and novellas are collected, including his classic study of late-Victorian dualism, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde . (Dec.) Copyright 1993 Cahners Business Information.

In Levine's first novel, an unnamed 25-year-old heroine, ambivalent about her boyfriend and unhappy in her job at the Pet Library (lending furry or finned companionship in lieu of books) adopts Treasure Island as a roadmap for life. Taking the book's "Core Values" of "boldness, resolution, independence, horn-blowing" to heart, she stops cleaning up after the pets, uses her boss's life-savings to acquire a parrot, and generally makes a huge pill of herself to everyone around her. With its three exclamation points, the novel promises irreverent fun, and certainly has an absurdist zaniness and charm, especially in the beginning. But instead of sympathizing with a slacker's efforts, however misguided, to change her life, we grow increasingly restless as it becomes clear that the main thing she's resolute about is never noticing the effect she has on friends and family. The way Levine's (Short Dark Oracles) narrator presents her actions and the cavalcade of misfortunes they bring as justified will make readers wonder if the author is sending up memoirs or 20-something self-involvement, but it doesn't feel like a sendup, and it's hard to get behind this heroine, who seems less humorously deluded than tiresome. (Jan.)

Gr 3–5—While this abridgement of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic captures most of the key details and action of the story, it feels choppy at times and listeners don't feel as emotionally attached to the vibrant characters. The female reader speaks clearly, but her high, pleasant voice doesn't always correspond to the rough and tumble action of the story and the predominantly male cast of characters. While she varies her pitch and pacing, individual characters are not given uniquely identifiable voices, making it difficult for listeners to become wholly invested in the telling. The paperback book has a nice font size for following along as well as plenty of white space and scattered black-and-white illustrations. Although the audio presentation is not stellar, those who need an accessible version of the story for younger children can make use of this audiobook.—Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT

Gr 2–6— In this retelling of Stevenson's classic story, each spread is structured as a chapter and provides a short story arc within the larger tale. The elements of suspense or triumph that close each chapter compel readers to turn the page for the next piece of the story. However, the graphic storytelling leaves much to be desired, especially in the essential layout and presentation. The pages are comprised of a series of mostly wordless panels, depicting tight close-ups of the characters as their situations are described in captions paraphrasing Stevenson's prose with none of its luster. When dialogue does appear, it is placed artificially at the top of each panel despite the fact that it is almost universally meant to follow the caption it precedes, creating a dissonant reading experience. Vocabulary is defined in footnotes, and a handful of concluding pages provide some context for Stevenson's life and background on the novel. The volume may well provide young readers with a desired dose of pirates, but this attempt has not bent the format to fit the vintage tale. Try the version adapted and illustrated by Tim Hamilton, instead (Puffin, 2005).—Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH

Gr 4 Up— Among the litany of popular pirate fare, Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale remains one of the best. This version, beautifully narrated by Alfred Molina, was a 2008 Odyssey Award Honor selection for excellence in audio production. Young Jim's introduction to a "gentleman of fortune's" world is captivating, energetic, and suspenseful. Long John Silver, the ruthless pirate who charms the crew, launches a mutiny in pursuit of hidden treasure, with Jim caught between the mutineers and the ship's sponsors. Molina's balanced intonation and subtle characterizations enhance Stevenson's text. Dramatic pacing keeps listeners on the edge of their gunwales. Pirates who stereotypically growl through their grog, here are rendered to induce a realistic fear of being drawn and quartered on the poop deck. Perhaps the finest sea adventure ever written, this audiobook is sure to be a hit with young buccaneers. And don't miss the afterword on the final CD, a well-written biography of Stevenson and his literary contributions.—Robin Levin, Fort Washakie School/Community Library, WY

Gr 4-6 The format of these retellings provides a gateway to otherwise daunting works of literature. By no means are these graphic novels meant to replace the originals; the vocabulary is limited, and the narrative, dialogue, and descriptive elements are rudimentary. Yet in combination with the bold, fresh, action-packed graphic elements, the stories will attract reluctant readers. What is verbal in the original novels, such as characterization or imagery, is dependent on the art. Line qualities in the color drawings are varied and show evidence of an accomplished illustrator. The books include discussion questions that teachers might find useful. These titles are visually attractive and will see a lot of circulation. Once in the hands of developing readers, they may open the doors to the masterful works on which they are based. Joel Bangilan, Houston Public Library, TX

Gr 5-9 -Jim Hawkins, Billy Bones, Ben Gunn, and Long John Silver come alive again in this faithful adaptation of the classic novel, which retains much of the original language. Billy Bones is still "struck dead by apoplexy" and the parrot still cries "pieces of eight," for example. The stark visuals are often gripping, most notably in the scene in which Billy Bones first appears and later when Jim Hawkins fights for his life against Israel Hands aboard the Hispaniola . The section entitled "The Making of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island " includes concept sketches, photos of Hamilton's friends that he used as models for his characters, and information on his artistic techniques. Readers will also learn that the author approaches storytelling "in a cinematic way," which may explain why there are so many images of characters' faces hidden dramatically in shadows. Older children and teens will find this to be a compelling read, and it can help to bridge the gap in your library between graphic novels and the classics.-Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

Gr 3-5 –All three adaptations of these classic novels fall prey to the usual pitfalls involved in such a process. The bare outlines of the plots are provided, but character development, a true sense of place and time with regard to setting, and masterful description of the action all go by the wayside. Jungle Book is mistitled as it references only the Mowgli stories and moves from incident to incident so quickly that the "law of the jungle" morals in Kipling's anthropomorphic fables are lost. Treasure Island is written in a similar breakneck, choppy style, and Long John Silver, one of the most memorable characters ever created, is eminently forgettable in this telling. In 80 Days , the historic events that made such a journey even thinkable, like the opening of the Suez Canal and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, are never mentioned, nor is the International Date Line, which enabled Fogg to win his wager, mentioned, let alone explained. The cartoon illustrations in all three volumes border on offensive as no matter which country or culture is depicted, the dot-eyed faces are virtually identical except for minor variations in skin tone. Some illustrations make no sense, as when the action in 80 Days describes the servant Passepartout at the bottom of a circus pyramid, but the picture is of a Japanese tearoom.–Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

Gr 7 Up-Robert Louis Stevenson's brilliant sea-faring classic, the archetypal pirate story, is given a neat and smoothly executed turn in this rendition. The tale of the preternaturally able young Jim Hawkins and his encounter with the arcane old seaman, Bill Bones, that subsequently launches the treasure-seeking saga is wonderfully narrated by Ralph Cosham. His strong narrative voice as Hawkins is beautifully complemented by his subtle vocal modulations for the other characters. Cosham's treatment of the rowdy Long John Silver is particularly fine. The cornucopia of available Treasure Island audio versions affords both libraries and listeners a degree of selectivity not often enjoyed in audiobooks. This version is highly recommended for its CD format and clean, straightforward narrative approach and production values.-Barry X. Miller, Austin Public Library, TX Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Gr 2-5-This fast-paced, pared down "storyteller's version" of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic will captivate listeners thanks to Jim Weiss's ability to bring a story to life. Weiss begins by briefly discussing Stevenson's life and explaining how the celebrated author came to create the novel. After this fine introduction, he treats listeners to an entertaining adaptation of the adventure that is easy to follow. Young Jim Hawkins discovers a treasure map and takes to the high seas to claim the treasure. Battling Hawkins is a vindictive group of pirates led by the duplicitous peg-legged Long John Silver. Weiss has fun with the characters, especially the boisterous Silver, the shrill Ben Gunn, and a parrot that loves squawking "Pieces of Eight! Pieces of Eight!" He uses his voice effectively when describing both the terror Hawkins feels hiding from bad guys and the sudden noise of a gun battle. Jim Weiss ends by telling kids to find the book at their local library. An hour long program cannot do complete justice to Stevenson's classic, but this skillful presentation will encourage young listeners to read Treasure Island.-Brian E. Wilson, Evanston Public Library, IL Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Gr 3-5-Stripped down from the original, this version reads smoothly enough for younger readers to get the plot and essential characters straight and the oversized format gives the story and pictures import. But 14 Wyeth illustrations, murkily reproduced and in a garishly yellowed tint, hardly convey the artist's full-color, masterful, and classic depictions of the action. To see the real pictures, suggest that children look at the version published by Atheneum (1981). They might even read the whole story.-Susan Hepler, Burgundy Farm Country Day School, Alexandria, VA Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.

Gr 1-4-A collection of 32 poems, taken mostly from A Child's Garden of Verses. A short introductory biography with quotes taken from the writer's letters gives an insightful glimpse into his life and how it influenced his poems. The illustrations convey the poetic notion of a romantic childhood memory, with pink-cheeked children, many depicted from behind or fast asleep. Fanciful, dreamlike scenes of being king for a day, peering down on "the land of counterpane," and a king riding a unicorn in a circus parade are full of intriguing details. Muted colors, rich with warm golden accents among the dominant green tone, are a peaceful accompaniment to the poems.-Ronald Jobe, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Gr 7 Up-The archetypal sea-faring adventure story is given another rousing and dramatic rendition in this quickly paced abridged entry in Hodder's top-flight Classic Collection series. The critical plot and subplot threads have been beautifully retained, and all the classic lines like "shiver me timbers" have been included. Stalwart English actor Richard Griffiths handles the bulk of the narrative chores flawlessly and is particularly effective in his pacing. He is capably assisted by Gareth Armstrong who, inexplicably, is uncredited on the cassette case. The subtle use of occasional sound effects such as gulls, lapping waves, and cannon and gunshot enhances this superb version of Stevenson's masterpiece. All collections should make room for this fine work.-Barry X. Miller, Austin Public Library, TX Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Gr 3–6—Literary classics retold in a graphic-novel format. Spreads mostly consist of eight or nine small panels, with each one accompanied by heavily abridged text from the original stories. Definitions of more difficult words are included on the bottom of each page to help struggling readers. The layouts feel cramped, with little variation and no full-page spreads to capitalize on the medium. Gelev's illustrations, although technically sound, do not convey the various moods and incredible settings found in these novels. Instead, pictures usually focus on profiles of expressionless characters and bland action shots that lack any sense of urgency. Word bubbles do nothing to show feeling or character depth but simply help to move the story along. Each volume ends with an author biography, time line, and a few articles that provide some background into the text; although these segments are very well done, they are not enough to consider the books for purchase. Instead, take a look at the "Marvel Illustrated" versions of these tales-although meant for an older audience, they have far superior artwork and storytelling.—Peter Blenski, Greenfield Public Library, WI