I'm dating myself, but this is what happens after the kids are rescued in Blue Lagoon, the movie. (Never mind the awful sequel.) While this wasn't the best book I read this year, it's certainly not the worst, and I was vested in the characters long before the end really got me in the "feels." I'm still not sure about he ending, I want to hope for the best, but....

A full review will be available on my blog: www.literarymatchmaker.blogspot.com

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I was surprised by how much I actually enjoyed this book, and had it read in a day. I loved Sky's narration. Seeing the modern world from her point of view, a girl who had spent most of her life on a secluded island with only her mother, River and River's father for company, was fascinating. I loved her innocence and the simplistic way she saw her new environment. While she could survive and thrive on her island, she was like a toddler when it came to exploring her new way of life.

Sky's development was believable as she struggled to assimilate back into a world far more complicated than her island home. Her feelings of confusion, anger, hopelessness and longing pulled on my heartstrings. However, Sky was lucky. She had her grandmother and Ben to support and guide her, even though I thought the 'experts' her grandmother employed to help her were basically useless. There were many times I wanted to shake the older woman for trying to force Sky to be 'normal'.

Despite feeling sorry for Sky, it was River who tore at my heart. He had been Sky's best friend for fourteen years and, even though it was he who wanted to be rescued from the island, his assimilation was far more difficult. In fact, I found it hard to believe that he would have been treated the way he was by authorities who were supposed to help him. I also hated how so many people assumed he was evil based on something that happened when he was a young boy. I just wanted to give him a big hug and take him home.

As for the ending, it was heart-breaking. I was wondering how the author was going to resolve River and Sky's dilemma, but I never suspected the tragic conclusion, but it made sense.

"Searching for Sky" was a refreshing, well-written novel about survival, family, love and friendship. It was a thought-provoking read that would lead to some interesting discussion. ( )

I did not like this book. I was unable to finish it. ( )

I decided to review SEARCHING FOR SKY and WILD together because they both are attempting to tell the same story, that of a “wild child” taken from the only home they’ve ever known and thrust into civilization by well-meaning “rescuers.” Though they differ greatly from each other in some aspects, both Searching for Sky and Wild hit and miss many of the same targets.

READ THE FULL REVIEW AT: http://www.shaelit.com/2014/07/joint-review-searching-for-sky-by-jillian-cantor-... ( )

Living on a deserted island, Sky and River are thrust into an unfamiliar and scary world after a boat chances across their home. Knowing little about the real world, Sky and River discover that they are the sole survivors of a cult group, ran by River's father. Claimed by her grandmother, Sky has problems adapting to all of the strange things around her.

I thought this was a fascinating book. I would love to read a sequel and find out what happens to Sky next. The premise of the story was intriguing, and the plot unraveled in an interesting way. Overall, highly recommended. ( )