Treasure Island (GN)

Grade 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

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON (1850–1894) was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist, and travel writer who spent the last part of his life in the Samoan islands. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, The Master of Ballantrae, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.