A high-seas adventure story for middle grade and YA readers, "Sebastian and the Invisible Island" tells the tale of a young boy who is stranded on a mysterious island where his only hope for rescue lies in feuding extraterrestrials who also yearn for home.
Sebastian Linus Youngfield is sailing the world with his parents when their voyage takes a dramatic turn in the South Pacific. A massive storm blows in leaving Sebastian adrift at sea in a small dinghy. To survive the adventures ahead, he must cast fear into the depths and summon every skill learned in his young life.
Following several days adrift at sea, Sebastian makes it safely ashore a small island. But he’s not alone. Soon after befriending a flock of strange florescent green pelicans, Sebastian is forced to seek shelter and safety inside a buried spacecraft. There he discovers that the strange birds are actually Dorrgroos, an alien species from another galaxy. The friendly Dorrgroos can morph into the forms of other living creatures. But so can the Zeppendulars; an evil species of alien that occupy the larger island across the lagoon.
The Dorrgroos and Zeppendulars were stranded on the atoll following the crash of both of their space ships eons ago. But now the 'Zepps' have managed to uncover and repair their ship and are getting close to leaving with the only means to get back home. To make matters worse, the Zepps have placed a cloak around the entire atoll that renders it invisible from the air or sea. The Dorrgroos survival, Sebastian’s rescue and the future of the planet earth may all rest in Sebastian’s ability to develop and execute a plan to hijack the Zeppendular’s space ship.
Sebastian and the Dorrgroos enlist the help of a young woman named Amelia, a Polynesian warrior and other earthly creatures once held captive as morphing patterns. While the Zepps are confined to their ship during a rain storm, the war party crosses the lagoon and sets up an ambush outside their ship. When the sun returns and the evil aliens exit to soak up the sun’s rays, a chaotic battle erupts. All goes well for the Dorrgroos until Amelia is captured and Sebastian is left to singlehandedly save the day.
Excerpt
Sebastian climbs from the shelter and looks across the lagoon. The reflection of the moon sparkles across the calm water. He focuses on the singing but quickly realizes it is not really singing that he has been hearing. It is more like a steady chorus of shrill, almost tormented cries. And then he sees them.
Silhouetted by the rising moon, dozens of bird-like creatures soar through the air above the distant island.
“Am I dreaming?”
Sebastian looks from the soaring creatures above the island to the alien creatures only yards away down the beach.
“I think I know a way to find out.”
Sebastian retrieves his digital camera from the shelter. He then quietly makes his way down the beach, placing the entranced aliens between him, the soaring creatures and the moon. He clicks the shutter and the flash goes off.
An ear-splitting shriek blasts from the alien creatures and they cower together. Then, from across the water, the chorus of shrill and tormented cries becomes a loud clamor of angry, high-pitched howls.
The alien creatures shiver in terror as they gaze toward the noise across the water. Then they start running toward the jungle like a crazed herd of anorexic roaches. Sebastian looks across the water and sees dozens of the soaring creatures forming several flying columns. They are heading in his direction. He runs for his shelter and dives in.
Professional Reviews
Sebastian and the Invisible Island
“This is a great book to enjoy between parent and preteens or younger. It drew us with its intriguing tropical island setting, heroics and strange goings on.” --Sally
“Excellent reading material for the age group; well-paced, good development and simple, pleasant characters. A breath of fresh air for young people in an area that is growing darker. I fully recommend.” --Robert
“Well-told, exciting story. Author has great imagination that appeals to suggested age group.” --McKinley (Teacher)
“This book itself is actually pretty clever. Very adventurous throughout. Excellent for kids and their parents.” --dtmb
“This is a great coming of age story of a curious, capable boy struggling to understand his new world while trying to find his way back to the family he loves. An exciting read and fun for parent and child alike.” --Sally
An Imaginative Great Read Sure to Entrance Preteens
The story is excellently told. Extremely imaginative story with the types of characters who are both pleasant and intriguing. This tale of a young boy stranded at sea and on his own and how he survives is a best read for both parent and child! bdt (Teacher and Psychotherapist)
The first night Thomas spent in his new house was eventful from the screaming and moaning to objects being banged together. There was only one explanation: The house was haunted. To make new friends Thomas will have to exorcise the ghost, but will he
Secrets in the Fairy Chimneys, set in Istanbul and Cappadocia Turkey takes Annie Tillery to an archaeological where accidents and thefts plague the scientists. Thrilling chases, cave explorations, and danger from desperate traffickers in ancient hist
Selkie's lonely heart has finally found a home with Aidan. But sometimes destiny compels us to love, and sometimes it forbids us...suspenseful, romantic, and spellbinding.