CANDLE ISLAND

Emily Rankin narrates the story of Lucretia Sanderson, a teen who's recently moved to a Maine island with her mother. They're both seeking solace after her father's accidental death. Using varied accents and intonations, Rankin makes the tension and class differences between the island folk and the summer people apparent. She balances that tension with Lucy's glorious descriptions of coastal life, which help listeners relate to her love of painting and the natural world. Rankin's depictions of Lucretia's caring mother, menacing bullies, and comforting friends have resonance. Throughout the story subtle tension builds that listeners won't understand until the satisfying resolution. The author reads her acknowledgements, noting how various people influenced this audiobook. S.W. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2025]