Bright Island facts for kids

Bright Island is a children's novel written by Mabel Robinson. It tells the story of a girl named Thankful Curtis. She grew up on a small island off the coast of Maine. Thankful isn't very happy about it, but she agrees to go to school on the mainland for her last year of high school.

Bright Island: A Story of Change

This book, Bright Island, is a special story for young readers. It explores what it's like to leave a familiar place and try something new. Thankful Curtis loves her home on the island. It's a quiet place where she feels safe and knows everyone. But her family wants her to get a good education. So, she has to move to the mainland. There, she will attend a bigger school. This change brings many new experiences for Thankful. She meets new people and faces different challenges. The story shows how she learns to adapt to her new life.

Who Wrote Bright Island?

The author of Bright Island is Mabel Robinson. She was a talented writer. She wrote many books for children and young adults. Her stories often focused on characters growing up. They also showed how young people deal with new situations. Mabel Robinson was known for creating characters that readers could connect with. She helped them understand feelings like shyness, bravery, and friendship.

What's the Story About?

Thankful Curtis has spent her whole life on a small, peaceful island. She loves the ocean and the simple life there. When it's time for her senior year of high school, her parents decide she should go to a school on the mainland. This is a big step for Thankful. She is used to her small community. The mainland school is much larger and busier. Thankful feels out of place at first. She misses her island home. The story follows her journey as she tries to fit in. She learns about new friendships and different ways of life. She also discovers more about herself. The book shows that even big changes can lead to new strengths.

Who Drew the Pictures?

The beautiful pictures in Bright Island were drawn by Lynd Ward. He was a very famous artist and illustrator. Lynd Ward was known for his amazing woodcut illustrations. These are pictures made by carving into wood. His artwork often added a lot of feeling to the stories he illustrated. For Bright Island, his drawings help readers imagine Thankful's world. They show both the quiet beauty of the island and the busy life on the mainland.

Awards and Recognition

Bright Island was first published in 1937. It quickly became a popular book. In 1938, it received a special award called the Newbery Honor. The Newbery Medal is one of the most important awards for children's literature in the United States. It is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. Receiving a Newbery Honor means the book was considered one of the best books of the year. This award helped many more young readers discover Thankful's story.