Tarragon Island

Joan Buchanan is a children’s writer and storyteller. She is the
author of Taking Care of My Cold!, What If I Were in Charge?, Nothing
Else But Yams for Supper!, and The Nana Rescue.

Twelve, soon to be 13-year-old Heather Blake and her family have just
moved from Toronto to Tarragon Island off the West Coast. At the new
island home, Heather’s only nearby playmate is home-schooled and
dresses funny, her mother is very busy re-establishing her veterinary
practice, and her father is preoccupied with his new sail boat. Life for
Heather couldn’t be more different from what she left behind, and she
resents it. Not only does Heather feel as if she doesn’t belongs, but
she also deeply misses her grandparents.

In this coming-of-age story, the young protagonist takes
problem-solving into her own hands, and the result is somewhat
predictable. On a few occasions, mainly early on, the tone could be
interpreted as slightly adult with its focus on the lifestyles of the
islanders. However, the story gains momentum (Heather decides to
escape—just like the Count of Monte Cristo), and the ending works
well.

In terms of the setting and characters, Tate does a good job of
rendering the flavor of a Gulf Island in her fictional Tarragon Island,
her characterization details are largely authentic, and the problems
Heather faces are believable. The book is not as gripping as Tate’s
StableMates series, but this reviewer nonetheless looks forward to
reading the sequel—Mystery on Tarragon Island. Recommended.