Dr. Franklin's Island
 Ann Halam
 (Sr. Staff Reviewer - D. H. BROWN)
 2002 Wendy Lamb Books/Random House
  ISBN: 038573008X


Three survivors of a plane crash near a tiny tropical island, are rescued by a mysterious doctor.

Miranda, Semi & Arnie are students on the flight of their lives. The tv program Planet Savers had selected their science projects as winners. Along with 13 other winners & a host of adults, they were all flying from Florida southwest to Quito when their plane is hijacked & then crashed into the night time ocean, somehwere.

These three strangers swim to shore, crawl up on the beach & collapse. The next morning they get to know each other as they try to figure out what next to do.

Meanwhile, they are being watched by a person who can only rejoice in his luck, for there before him, were three perfect subjects--young, healthy orphans, with no ties back to anyone who could meddle with his plans.

Sr. Staff Reviewer D. H. BROWN writes:

As an avid sci-fi reader I believe one of the most exciting developments for this genre has been the advent of “juvenile” sci-fi.

As a boy reading Heinlein, Dickson, Asimov, et al, I just read sci-fi & was totally content.

When I picked up Dr. Franklin's Island by Ann Halam of whom I'd never heard, I only saw the little sci-fi sticker on the spine. So, of course, I took it home.

Reading the flyleaf I was made aware that I was, in fact, holding a book of juvenile science fiction.

When I started reading I was struck by the simplicity of the author's vocabulary, & yet was totally compelled by the story.

Within pages, I was no longer a middle-aged man on the downhill side, but ten years old again, gobbling down a feast for my imagination.

What a joy! What a pleasure! This author's ability to imbue characters who happen to be children, early teens, with dignity, character, honor & good moral judgement, is to be applauded. Loudly! & upon one's feet! Bravo!

Ann Halam you have done us all a great service by telling your juvenile readers that not only should they, but they can have these qualities & still be children. To any parent who has a child who dreams in sci-fi dreams, buy them this book. It is good!

For any mature sci-fi reader, I encourage you to find a copy of Dr. Franklin's Island & re-live those thrilling days of yesteryear, then give it to a kid you know. Adventure is definitely alive & well!

Ann Halam was born & raised in Manchester, England. After graduating from Sussex University, she spent many years traveling through Southeast Asia. As well as being a children's author, she writes, under the nom de plume of Gwyneth Jones, adult science fiction & fantasy: North Wind; Deconstructing the Starships: Science, Fiction and Reality; Phoenix Cafe; Escape Plans UK; Flowerdust & more all out of print.

More from Ann Halam -- all out of print at Amazon.com: Transformations, The Daymaker & King Death's Garden.
(02/02/03)

D. H. BROWN
A RebeccasReads.Com Sr. Staff Reviewer

Reviewer's Bio:
D. H. BROWN is the author of the critically acclaimed HONOR DUE and the Citizens Warrior Series. The son of missionary parents and with the help his Uncle Sam, he has touched base in more than 40 countries.  In 1986 he produced the independent children's film Lessie's Rainbow.  During the late 80s and early 90s, he wrote the book Common Sense and delivered the seminars of the same name for the Community Action Network of Seattle (CAN).  While doing his early Vietnam recovery work, he counseled Veterans and spoke widely to men's groups in Washington state, and was a founder of The Lodge of the Wolf.

D. H. BROWN has worked as a Logistics and Weapons Specialist in Viet Nam; day laborer; Director of Security; Armored Car Driver; Police Officer; Professional Hunting Guide; Trapper; Dog Sledder; Homesteader; Truck Driver; General Contractor; Minister; Editor; Writer; Speaker; Restaurateur; Movie Producer; Antique Restoration Specialist; Personal Care Worker; PC Repair Specialist; Computer Instructor; Webmaster and Web Designer. "I write about what I know."

He lives deep in the Pacific Northwest rainforest with his wife, author and editor Rebecca and Buddy Dog, working on his next book.
Visit him at: www.dhbrownbooks.com