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37 pages 1 hour read

Abel's Island

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1976

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Book Brief

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William Steig

Abel's Island

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1976
Book Details
Pages

117

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Island • Early 20th century

Topic
Publication Year

1976

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Lexile Level

920L

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Super Short Summary

Abel’s Island by William Steig recounts the story of Abel, a mouse who finds himself marooned on a deserted island after a storm separates him from his wife. Over almost a year, Abel learns to survive by drawing on his intuition and primal instincts. Throughout his ordeal, he holds onto hope, improvises shelters, and sends signals in hopes of being rescued, ultimately discovering his resilience and capacity to thrive outside civilization.

Contemplative

Adventurous

Bittersweet

Inspirational

Hopeful

Reviews & Readership

4.3

5,653 ratings

71%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

William Steig's Abel's Island captivates readers with its charming tale of a mouse's journey of survival and self-discovery. The narrative is praised for its rich language and imaginative setting, appealing to both children and adults. However, some find its pacing slow and the plot lacking complexity. Overall, it remains a cherished and thought-provoking read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Abel's Island?

Readers who cherish introspective, character-driven tales such as Stuart Little by E.B. White or Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame will be captivated by William Steig's Abel's Island. Ideal for middle-grade audiences, it explores themes of survival, resilience, and self-discovery with charm and wit.

4.3

5,653 ratings

71%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

117

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Island • Early 20th century

Topic
Publication Year

1976

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Lexile Level

920L

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