Another beautiful book from one of my favorite authors! Her prose is stunning and her descriptions gorgeous. This book did feel a little more adult in theme and tone than her others. I still enjoyed it and looked forward to reading every time I picked it up.

Absolutely beautiful. A hopeful, heart-squeezer of a story with great characters - and a baby osprey! Loved it.

There is something very timeless about Candle Island and the beautifully moving story that Lauren Wolk weaved so seamlessly. If this does not win a Newbery, I will lose hope in all that is good and right in the world.

Wolk pulls you right into the world of Lucretia, a girl who is wise beyond her years, and is starting a new life with her mother on Candle Island.

Lucretia is learning how to deal with grief from losing her father, while also embracing happiness and the many nuances of life. The Islanders are not easy to please or impress, but she is able to find friendship with a boy named Bastian, and purpose, as she saves a young osprey and takes care of her sweet horse named Mahogany (Hog). Most of all, Lucretia and her mother hold tight a secret that, if discovered, could completely shatter their already fragile life.

There are so many important quotes and themes in this story (fighting for what's right, friendship, grief, the loss of a parent, being true to oneself, the importance of community), but this one quote stood out amongst the rest:

"There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."

This book is like a warm hug. A reminder that we can choose how we fight for what's right, and that people can always find connection - they just have to be willing to look for it.

Thank you, Lauren Wolk, for writing this.

Lucretia Sanderson and her mother, Eliza, a famous painter, have just moved to Candle Island from Vermont. They are still grieving the loss of Lucretia’s beloved father, who died in a car accident some time earlier. All they want is to be left alone, but as soon as they arrive, they’re caught up in the tension between the locals and the troublemaking summer kids. Add an injured osprey chick and a nosy art critic, and privacy seems impossible to come by.

But there are compensations. Lucretia is taken with the beauty of Candle Island and the peace it brings. She quickly befriends a boy called Bastian, though his cousin Murdock seems to resent her presence. When Lucretia learns the reason why, she begins to have more compassion for Murdock and her situation. In time, Murdock warms up to Lucretia and the girls realize they have more in common than they thought.

Lucretia, Murdock, and Bastian reminded me a lot of the children in one of my favorite books, Emily of New Moon. Lucretia's circumstances are closest to Emily's, but she's an artist like Teddy. Murdock writes poetry like Emily but personality-wise she's more like Ilse. Bastian has elements of both Teddy and Perry. There are also a lot of overlapping themes like grief, friendship, and creativity, and a similar island setting.

I don’t want to reveal too much about the story, but Candle Island is truly beautiful. The prose is vivid, the characters well-rounded and likable. As the summer progresses, secrets are unearthed, and characters move towards healing.

My only complaints are that, for one, Lucretia comes off much, much older than twelve. If she were just a little older, say fourteen or fifteen, I could maybe suspend my disbelief far enough for this to not be an issue. But she has the emotional maturity and reasoning skills of a grown adult, and I just couldn't buy it.

The second issue I had is with the time period this book is supposed to be in. I think we're in the late sixties, maybe early seventies, but for some reason I started it thinking it was set in the forties. The dialogue is dated in a way that doesn't really suggest any particular era, especially not the 1960s. Other readers may not be bothered by this, though.

Regardless, Candle Island is very much my type of book, and if that meant overlooking a few details, then so be it.

Lucretia and her mom are moving to Candle Island, a small island off the coast of Maine, for a fresh start after the death of her father. They are also seeking anonymity, for reasons which unfold during the course of the story. The island is sharply divided into people who live there year round and people who come for the summer and the confrontations between the two are escalating. There are also story lines about finding your passion and pursuing it, being kind, protecting the ones we love, and knowing when to let go. The book is a mystery and has multiple mystery lines that weave together in the most amazing ways. The writing is stellar and I enjoyed it SO much.

I found Candle Island totally engrossing. When I read middle grade books, I try to imagine the reading experience from the perspective of a modern kid--that is the point after all. But, reading Candle Island, I found myself swept up in a personal reading journey. The free range childhood of the 80s and 90s, the lack of tether to technology, the freedom of a childhood in which exploration and nature are vital components. I'm not entirely sure what era this book took place in, but I found myself imprinting the era of my own childhood on the setting.

This book was slow in terms of plot, but completely affecting in terms of the emotional journey of the characters.

Lucy and her mom have just moved to Candle Island, a small community in Maine where the population more than doubles in the summer. They have moved to be more anonymous, running from an accident that took her father and other secrets they would rather keep safe. There is a pretty sharp divide between the islanders and the summer people, and Lucy has to figure out how to navigate the dynamic. When she makes friends with Bastian, she finds a kindred spirit, but his cousin Murdock is a tougher sell. As Bastian and Lucy get to know each other, their secrets threaten their friendship, and Lucy has to decide if she is truely ready to move on.
Another beautiful historical fiction novel from Lauren Wolk.

Lauren Wolk brings so much intelligence and affection into her novels. Don't be fooled by the title, this is not a light summer beachy read: it's filled with grief and sadness. While the character development is well done, the overall dark theme felt a bit too much to make it an enjoyable read. It's a high quality work of literature, but I'd still be cautious to set proper expectations before handing it to a child.

Twelve-year-old Lucretia and her artist mother are looking for a fresh start. Candle Island, Maine is far enough from their Vermont home to escape the constant reminders of the father and husband they have lost, and it is big enough to offer the privacy their painting requires. But before the pair have driven off the ferry, they are drawn into an escalating conflict between wealthy summer kids and working class islanders. Wolk draws an evocative portrait of both an island and a creative child. At the center of the many dramatic events is the tension between Lucretia’s desire to avoid harm, and her need to connect. When do you stand up to a bully, when do you reach out to someone you wish were a friend? What if you make it worse? Readers can lose themselves in specifics of art making, secret keeping, animal rescue, serious bullying and friend seeking. Some characters, and events, seem too bad, or too good, to be true. Readers seeking a lively summer read, and a thoughtful life primer, will be more than satisfied. Lucretia and most islanders read as white. Thanks to Dutton and NetGalley for an Advance Readers Copy in return for an unbiased review.

Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley for the eARC!

Filled to the brim with little mysteries, this is a charming and poignant novel about identity, secrets, grief, and change. I absolutely devoured this. I found myself completely immersed in Lauren Wolk's writing and felt like I was right there on Candle Island with Lucretia, Murdock, and Bastion. This books is so alive, so vivid and lush. This is a perfect example of a book recommendation I would give to people who don't read children's/middle grade books because they are "for kids." Atmospheric and beautiful, this book positively shines, and I can't wait to read Lauren Wolk's backlog now.

The things Lauren Wolk says about change, kindness, and friendships really resonated me. I really hope everyone gives this book a chance!

When her father dies, 12-year-old Lucretia and her mother decide they need a fresh start. To rebuild their lives, they move to a tiny island called Candle Island. Life on the island turns out to be different than Lucretia expected. She ends up having to confront young sociopaths, hostilities towards seasonal vacationers, and a nosy art critic. As she finds her foothold as an islander, she makes friends with prickly Murdock and Batian, who have their own secrets. Amidst the feud, Lucretia struggles to discover her self-identity and purpose. Will Lucretia and her mom find the new life they are seeking? Will Lucretia figure out a way to fit in? What is the secret they are keeping?

The plot is immersive, engaging, and well written. The characters are realistic, relatable, and memorable. The vivid descriptions used to describe what Lucretia sees with her synesthesia are masterfully done and draw the reader into the story. People interested in realistic fiction, island life, and dealing with bullies will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections. 4 stars, Gr 4 to 8.

This middle grade novel set on a small Maine island has a bit of a throwback vibe with its timeless setting and particularly non-modern activities by the young protagonists. In other words, not everyone is sitting inside on their phones or playing video games; these protagonists are actually outside doing real-world stuff like working, sailing, rescuing birds, and riding horses. And then there is the art–in every sense of the word: music, poetry, and painting. This is a primary focus of the book.

Although there is not break-neck action, stuff is constantly happening and the author’s strong writing style and multiple small mysteries steadily move the narrative forward. The kids do read a bit more like adults than kids. Lucretia, the primary character, reads more like a 29-year-old than a 12-year-old, but that is likely to be expected given that she isn’t really a typical 12-year-old. Those looking for a thoughtful read in a summer setting will enjoy this novel.

Candle Island is one of those books that I wish I could climb inside and exist in right alongside the characters. With stunning and detailed descriptions and vivid characters, this story leaps right off the page and into my heart. There is just something about how Lauren Wolk writes places and people that makes them feel real and genuine without falling into boring telling or lists of descriptions.

I wanted to read this book as fast as possible so I could devour the story and everything happening within it and I also wanted to take it slow and savor every word and sentence. I love Lucretia's journey as she and her mother pick up and move somewhere new for a fresh start. I love the connections she makes with the other people on the island and with the wildlife. And I love that this book is almost about nothing and everything all at once. I will definitely be revisiting this book again and again.

This is one of those books that has crossover appeal. While it’s marketed for middle grade readers, I think it will appeal much more to adults. Lucretia is an art prodigy and she thinks and acts much older than her twelve years. While some readers may find fault with this, I found that it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story in any way.

It seems so early in the year to already pinpoint what might end up being my favorite book, but I think Candle Island has a strong head start on being the best book of 2025 for me.

Why do we love the things we love? Why do we create? Explore? Stay alone? Share? Live? How do we live? As I read Candle Island, I thought about so many things such as these, about my own life and the lives of others. The writing is beautiful. The imagery wonderful. The emotions I felt while reading this creation of Lauren Wolk’s are why I love to read.

I wanted to spend more time immersed in the setting of Candle Island. This story is filled with complex situations and emotions that are easily accessible to middle grade readers because of the way the story is crafted. The use of historical tidbits and quotes helps young readers trace development of themes. This book lends itself to discussions of conservation, social classes, friendship, creativity and art, loss, and so much more. I loved everything about this title!

Thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Candle Island is a conundrum. Not the location so much as the book. There was a lot to like about the story, but the writing kept me at bay (see what I did there?). Ultimately the protagonist's thoughts coming across like a middle-aged narrator rather than a child made me feel overly conscious of the writing and made it difficult to settle into the story.

As with all of Lauren Wolk's books, I loved this, and I would recommend it for YA readers and adults alike.

In this story we follow Lucretia who has recently lost her father and now she and her mother have relocated to Candle Island off the coast of Maine. Lucretia grapples with her big secret of being a famous artist while she tries to befriend kids her ago on the island who are leery of newcomers. Along the way Lucy also befriends a osprey chick and a goat, and discovers that her new friends have hidden talents of their own. Together they each confront their own grief, share their secrets, and find comfort in one another.

I love Wolk's writing style, from her wonderful names (a horse named Hog, a dog named Tuppence) to her descriptions and clear love of nature ("lots of brave and determined oaks", "a shy toadstool", "the first chapter of night"), to lovely turns of phrase ("I gentled the bird into my basket"), and how she weaves intrigue into a coming of age story. I also loved the descriptions of color as Lucretia sees them in her life.

One aspect of the book that didn't ring as true for me is how unfailingly polite, helpful, and mature Lucretia always is to her mother. Perhaps 12 year olds really can be this way! But as the mom of an almost-12 year old, that has not been my experience. I think if there were even a few instances of sassiness or disrespect then the character would feel even more real to me, and perhaps even more relatable to other tweens and teens reading the book?

Still, an overall hearty recommend.

Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group and Net Galley for the advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After moving to Candle Island after an accident. This is a beautiful look of dealing with grief and trying to move forward. We get different points of view for dealing with grief. As they settle in on the island, they find some secrets and connections. Ones that might help them move forward.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

A gorgeous book of love and loss and healing. I loved these characters; imperfect, caring, broken and luminous. The setting is described so beautifully and made me want to visit. The writing is so moving, this book and the characters will stay with me forever. Highest of recommendations!

After her father’s tragic car accident, twelve year-old Lucretia Sanderson and her mother crave a new start so they move to the close-knit community on Candle Island, Maine. There is another reason for their move: privacy. They are sharing a deep secret about the origin of the notorious paintings, on whose sale profits they live. As Lucretia tries to fit into her new life, she becomes involved in the conflict between the townies and the summer folk. Lucretia's introspection permeates the book, making for lovely writing but not so relatable to the many typical twelve year olds.