Book Reviews and More: Survival - Gordon Korman

Friday, 15 August 2025

Survival - Gordon Korman - Island Series Book 2

Survival

Island Series Book 2

Gordon Korman

Scholastic Canada

ISBN 9781546131816

eISBN 9780545630757

ASIN B00CFTA3LA

Survival - Gordon Korman - Island Series Book 2 Rebranded Cover

This book was originally published in 2001 and went through a rebranding in 2024, I really love the rebranded covers, but the eBook editions still have the old covers. According to Goodreads there are 26 editions of the second volume in this series, including editions in English, French, Japanese, and Spanish. My introduction to Korman’s works was the 39 Clues back in 2009. Since then I have read 80 of his books including this volume. I am two thirds of the way thorough his canon, and have completed all the stand alone books and am now just working my way through the remaining series. Not counting omnibus editions I believe that as of the summer of 2025 Korman has published 109 books. With each that I read I am entertained and often challenged, and I am always entertained. I do plan on trying to read them all. My son, who is 17 often, reads these books to me or with me, and he still loves them.

A description of this volume states:

“The second installment in the survival suspense series Island, from bestelling and award-winning author Gordon Korman

Six kids.

One shipwreck.

One desert island.

Stranded. Separated.

Six kids are stuck on a desert island. They have no food. No shelter. Nobody knows they are lost. They must take from the island in order to survive. But what if they're not alone?”

Each chapter title is a day and time; the first chapter is Day 1, 4:45 P.M. and the final chapter is Day 10, 11:35 A.M. The majority of the story follows four of the youth, as they try and survive on what at first they believe to be a deserted island. Luke Haggerty, Charla Swann, and Ian Sikorsky are trying to find sustenance, drinkable water, and build a shelter. Will Greenfield has been unconscious since before they washed ashore. When he comes to he has amnesia and flees from the other three believe it is a prank by his sister. Not able to risk their own lives the three decide the best they can do is survive and try and find a way to get recued, and through that find a way to help Will.

Things do not go as they had hoped and on many occasions there are setbacks and trouble. When they see and hear a plane and it lands on a different side of the island, they go looking. But sometimes when you get hope and it is dashed it is even worse than not having any hope at all. But things are not all as they appear. And the youths are learning to work together and fight for survival.

This series is published as three short works, it is also published in an omnibus edition with all three stories in 1 volume. But what I like about the shorter versions is they are great for the classroom, or reluctant readers. This volume is short; but it keeps your attention, readers are drawn in through book one and are desperate for the final instalment by the end of this one.

This story is another excellent read from Korman’s pen.

I still have about 30 books from series left to read to have completed the canon of Korman’s works. I am grateful I finally gave this a read it is an excellent start to a series! This is a great volume than even reluctant readers will love this book and series.