Handliners' Island

Agnes C. Farrell is an elementary-school teacher in Richmond, British
Columbia.

Handliners’ Island is a coming-of-age story set off the coast of
British Columbia in 1946. It is the story of Paddy, who is desperately
trying to earn enough to help his grandfather, who will lose his farm
unless he can pay within two months the $800 he owes.

Paddy applies for a job at the cannery but is turned down because he is
too young. When the manager finds out how much he wants to earn, he
suggests handlining for salmon. The only person on the island still
catching salmon that way is a girl about Paddy’s age, named Lynn.
Paddy and his Kwakiutl friend, Mayus, are convinced that anything a girl
can do, they can do better. They soon learn there is more to fishing
than just dropping a line in the water. Paddy is jealous of Lynn’s
skill, but eventually he comes to appreciate the help she reluctantly
gives him.

The two boys triumph over many obstacles as the summer progresses,
although they are often tempted to give up. They overcome hunger,
storms, a pair of ruthless poachers, and personal differences, and
eventually they earn enough money to pay Paddy’s grandfather’s debt.
However, Paddy’s problems are not over: he still has a problem with
the Fisheries Department. When Lynn solves that problem for him, he
realizes just how much he appreciates her.

Mayse vividly portrays the changeable climate and rugged terrain of the
coast of British Columbia. The Kwakiutl Indian characters are presented
sympathetically, and the author includes interesting details about their
beliefs.

Few young readers today can imagine having to work as hard as Danny and
Mayus did, but they would probably like to believe that they, too, could
survive a whole summer without adult supervision. This story will appeal
not only to children but also to adults, who will enjoy reading it
aloud.