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    Islanders: The Pacific Chronicles, by James Eldridge | Book Spotlight

    Bianca SchulzeBy 3 Mins Read General

    Book Spotlight sponsored* by James Eldridge
    The Children’s Book Review

    Islanders Book Cover

    A brother and sister are chosen to protect a secret world in their Hawaiian paradise and meet a quirky cast of characters along the way. When they are unknowingly given access to a hidden and legendary world in their native O’ahu, they are also gifted with an unexpected set of magical abilities.

    About the Book

    Islanders Book Cover

    Islanders: The Pacific Chronicles (Book 1)

    Written by James Eldridge

    Illustrated by Richard Eldridge

    Publisher: ‎ Independently Published | ISBN-13‏: ‎ 9798355175214

    Publisher’s Book Summary: When eleven-year-old Kilikina and her brother, fourteen-year-old Kaimana, are unknowingly given access to a hidden and legendary world in their native O’ahu in the Hawaiian islands, they are also gifted with an unexpected set of magical abilities. Soon, they find themselves on an adventure, one in which they experience the interconnectedness of the world around them and begin to learn firsthand about the islands’ vast history and traditions.

    Guided by a quirky and silly duo from a mythical race of tiny people, the siblings soon learn they have been chosen to help protect their island and way of life from a great evil. Are they up to the challenge?

    Buy the Book
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    About the Author and Illustrator

    Children’s book author James Eldridge and his illustrator brother Richard Eldridge were raised in Hawaii and were inspired to bring the beauty and mythology of their homeland to young readers with their middle-grade fantasy novel, Islanders, the first installment in The Pacific Chronicles series.

    James is married to the lovely, real-life Kilikina, and together, they have four children. Richard is married to his childhood friend, and together they have their own island girl. After a near-fatal experience with COVID in 2021, including forty-five days on a ventilator in the ICU, multiple blood transfusions, being in an induced coma, and having several life-saving surgeries, James’s road to recovery was both mentally and physically challenging. He and his brother worked together to bring this story to life, using their home as a background, as a way to focus on something creative and inspiring to help James put the nightmare of COVID behind him.

    James and Richard explain that there is a fascinating concept of duality in the animal world in Hawaii: there are native species and invasive species, yet many people (especially visitors) cannot tell the difference. For their series, they enjoy using the idea that these species are secretly at war with each other for control of the island, and nearly no humans are aware of it except for a chosen few. The brothers hope their young readers come away from their stories having tasted a small part of the beautiful Hawaiian language, the soft strength and humor of its culture, a respect for its history, and a desire to visit.

    James now lives in Bentonville, Arkansas, while Richard lives in Honolulu, Hawaii. Islanders, book one in The Pacific Chronicles series, is their debut novel.

    For more information, visit www.PacificChronicles.com.

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    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

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    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

    79 Comments

      • James Eldridge on

        Be fearless. If you write for yourself or your values, it’s okay if not everyone gets it. Keep moving forward. Write what you would love to read.

        Reply
    7. Linda Yip on

      I want to win it for my babies. Plus we love turtles/tortoises and love to read to them. Totally love that cute water bottle. Thanks for the chance 🐢 📖

      Reply
    11. Amber Lee Kolb on

      Kyla is 11 years old and she really likes reading before bed. I think she would love this. We also love turtles! We have two of our own 🙂 Their names are Roxy and Bubbie and are both rescues.

      Reply
    14. Melinda Barlow on

      Sounds like a perfect book for many of my grands! I am always looking for great books to give as gifts. I think I want to read it too,

      Reply
      • Frankie Pinnix on

        My husband and I cruised 5 of the Hawaiian islands this past summer…what a magical place! I would love to read this to the children. Thanks for this chance!

        Reply
    29. Pamela Chambers on

      I’d love to win this giveaway for two reasons. First, I am a lifelong avid reader and enjoy reading many different genres. I often read books for younger people kind of as a screener, so I can then pass them on or recommend them to other parents. Also, who wouldn’t love a Door Dash GC? With the economy they way it is currently that would sure be a blessing!

      Reply
    40. Piroska on

      I’d love to win because the book sounds wonderful. The illustrations (cover) is beautiful.
      And…I love teaching my grandkids, without them thinking it’s “school.”

      Reply
    46. Debbie Dubois on

      Love to win to gift to our sweet Arianna she loves to read and this would be a good adventure she would share with her siblings the turtle is also a perfect fit for her thanks she would love this.

      Reply
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