The
Island by Gary Paulsen
Description
of text
The
Island follows 15-year-old Wil Neuton and his discovery of
the island. After Wil and his family move to Wisconsin Wil’s parents are
fighting frequently. Wil withdrawals from the life around him and finds the
island within a nearby lake. Wil’s focus becomes self-absorbed and he begins to
spend all his time on the island. At first, it’s daily and moves to days on
end. People visit Wil on his island throughout the text and Wil fights each one
off.
Susan
(close friend): fights off with kind words
Ray
(Bully): fights off with fists
His
Parents: fights off with determination
Counselor:
fights off with scorn
Journalists/t.v.
crews: fights off with cleverness
Wil
begins to mature while on the island. He paints the island and friends/family
around him/memories. Taking in details and representing them how he sees fit.
The more Wil studies others, the more he learns of himself. As more people come
to visit him- they begin to visit a new Wil. Wil eventually leaves the island a
“new man” and matured (still 15). The island is a friend, mentor, and parent to
Wil.
Why I chose it…
Great
coming of age story told from an adolescent perspective (relatable to
students). Teaches valuable lessons that can be taught within the classroom.
Connection to nature unlike in Hatchet
and promotes healthy self-reflection and growth. (grades 6-10)
Teaching ideas
1. Personal
narrative – having students write about their own life experience with nature/
alone time in personal narrative form, inspiration from the book
2. Imagery
practice- draw or paint some images from the text the way the reader interrupts
it, practice of imagery
3. Cause
and Effect- demonstrated the cause and effect on relationship of Wil and the
people he encounters, Make timeline of Wil
Challenges with
the text
Students-
Could find it hard to read with imagery at lower grade levels, it is a larger
book.
Parents-
Don’t want students reading about a boy being able to run away from home/
disrespect or go against parents
Admin-
Not many schools use the book and curriculum has not been tested around the
book.
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