Nim's Island by Wendy Orr is the story of a young girl living on a tropical island with her scientist father, Selkie the Sea Lion, and a Marine Iguana named Fred. Her mother was killed when a tourist boat came too close to a whale she was observing, and ever since she and her father have been living, on their own island. Even though they are isolated they are not completely cut off from the rest of the world, they have solar panels that provide for the use of a satellite dish, a computer, and a cell phone. When Nim's father sets sail, to study plankton, it was only supposed to be a two-day excursion but a storm comes up and disables his boat. Nim is left to fend for herself on the island and hijinks and suspense ensue.

While reading this book I couldn't believe that a father would choose such an isolated life for his child, and then leave her alone on top of that. But they needed to be isolated for the fantasy to work

Nim proves to be a very resourceful girl. She tends to the garden, fishes, cooks her own food and constructs two rafts out of coconuts. All the while she is emailing a person she thinks is a famous male adventurer who wrote her favorite book. I was impressed with the fact that the hero of the book was the young girl. I think this book would be empowering for young girls. It would help them realize that they have the power to control their own lives. It shows them that a man doesn't always have to be their savior. The best part is that her "pen-pal" turns out to be a woman who comes to the island to rescue Nim but ends up being saved by Nim and her coconut rafts.

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