Rereading: THE SECRET OF DONKEY ISLAND by Lavinia R. Davis

My favorite books by Davis are about horses, this one features a donkey, and as always her handling of animals is excellent. Jamie Bassett lives with his family on the shore of Cape Cod, Massachusetts and enjoys visiting small Lion Island just across the bay from his home, which he reaches by rowboat. One day he discovers new residents, Cap Kirk and his donkey Bunty. Kirk is renting the fishing shack from the island’s owner for the summer. Jamie also makes new friends of summer neighbors Pot and Trixie, who have a fast motor boat. All three enjoy visiting the island together, but when they uncover evidence of poachers, they have a hard time convincing Cap it’s real.

Then a strong storm blows a derelict ship onto the island’s shore, while also wrecking the fishing cabin. Cap Kirk, with help from other adults and the kids, converts the derelict into living quarters with lots of hard work. But Cap is planning to leave in the fall, and Jamie wants him and Bunty to stay. How can he and his friends and family make that happen?

A fairly quiet story focused as much on Jamie’s personal growth as the mystery of the poachers, but well done and recommended.

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