Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island

by Wim Coleman (Retelling), Pat Perrin (Retelling), Robert Louis Stevenson (Creator)

Jim Hawkins discovers an old treasure map and sets out on a harrowing voyage to a faraway island, and runs into the violent sea along with many dangerous men seeking the same treasure. Written in graphic-novel format. These reader-favorite tiles are now updated for enhanced Common Core State Standards support, including discussion and writing prompts developed by a Common Core expert, an expanded introduction, bolded glossary words and dynamic new covers.

Genres: Fiction, Graphic Novels, Classics, Juvenile, Retellings, Comics, Adventure

69 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2006

About the author

Wim Coleman is a playwright, poet, novelist, and nonfiction writer. His play "The Mad Scene" won First Place in the Script category of the 91st Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition. Another play, "The Shackles of Liberty," was the winner of the 2016 Southern Playwrights Competition. Two collections of his one-act plays, "Nine Muses" and "Stages of History," are currently in print, and his plays have appeared in anthologies along with works by authors ranging from Molière to David Mamet. His book of poetry, "I.O.U.," was published in 2020 by Adelaide Books. Novels that he has co-authored with his wife, Pat Perrin, include "Anna’s World," the Silver Medalist in the 2008 Moonbeam Awards, and "The Jamais Vu Papers," a 2011 finalist for the Eric Hoffer/Montaigne Medal. Wim and Pat lived for fourteen years in Mexico, where they adopted their daughter, Monserrat, and created and administered a scholarship program for at-risk students. Wim and Pat now live in Carrboro, North Carolina. They are active members of PEN International; Wim is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America and the Academy of American Poets.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simplistic graphic novel retelling of Treasure Island. Good for younger kids, but a lot of action "holes."

[Julie Booklover]

Read for School - Library Services Children and Young Adults
Collection Building Paper

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

For 4th grade and up. Not the best retelling of a classic, but I hope this gets kids interested enough that they eventually read the full novel.

[Reah N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a super abridged version of Treasure Island.

Cute just to get an idea of what the classic is about. There isn't much depth to this. But it gives the basic idea of the story, and contains lots of action, between the pirates, the race to find the treasure first, the many times the ship changes hands and the near rescues.

Content:
Nongraphic violence, pirates.

[Mike Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice simple version of the classic tale - however there is a great deal missing as you’d expect in this kind of version.
However, for a child who needs a grip of the basics, key events and characters- then this one works.
I can see it as a companion version in my class for someone who perhaps finds the full text too complex.

[Kristy McRae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another of my son's library check-outs. He loves graphics, and this one did a good introduction to the story of Treasure Island. It got him curious about "the rest of the story" so hopefully we'll read the full novel soon!

[Charly Troff (JustaReadingMama) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this aloud with my kids and while they really loved it, I wasn't a fan of the writing. I did appreciate that my kids could become familiar with the story in a simplified way and the art was cool. If I hadn't read it with my kids, I probably would have rated it lower.

[Kas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant retelling of a classic story of adventure and piracy

[Lorna-Elizabeth McClennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea personally. Good writing but not my taste. I understand it is a children's book but I found the detail so vague it was hard to be engaged at all.

[Chris Sudall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this story so wanted to read with my son. This is so thinned down though you don't really get a good feel of what is going on.
Alex liked it though.

[Robin Pelletier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect graphic novel to compliment the classic. I got this for one of my EL kiddos to help them connect to the story and conversations in class. I found it hit all the major plot points of the chapter book.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coleman, Wim and Perrin, Pat. Ill. Greg Rebis. (2007). Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. Mandato, MN. Stone Arch Books.

Characters: Jim Hawkins, Ben Gunn, Billy Bones, Dr. Livesey, Mr. Trelawney, Captain Smollet, Long John Silver, Israel Hands, other pirates.

Setting: 1700s. Bristol, England. The Hispaniola. An Island in the High Seas.

Themes: Sailing, piracy, friendship, loyalty, greed

Genre : Classic Fiction

Summary: Colemand and Perrin’s adapted Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel Treasure Island into a graphic novel, substituting thought bubbles for inner dialogue, yellowed and tattered ‘scrolls’ for narration, bright, vivid animations for character and action descriptions. All of the original action is still present, highlighted by illustrated “BOOM”s, “WHUNK”s, “SLAM”s, and other onomatopoeia that is incorporated into the frames. Jim Hawkins and company’s adventures on the Hispaniola, in search of Captain Flint’s treasure, are carefully detailed in both dialogue and illustration. The novel is quick-paced and exciting. Thanks to Rebis' illustrations, each chapter is neatly packaged and visually engaging. Jim is an appealing protagonist, and is drawn in such a way that young readers will be able to relate to him. Long John Silver is eerily depicted and his image will live on in reader’s minds. The ending is abrupt but accurate, and leaves the reader with a feeling of satisfaction.

Target Audience: 4th grade and up; students reading the original version

Curriculum Ties: History, social science, nautical studies, piracy, British literature

Personal response: This is the first graphic novel I have read, and as such, I have no basis of comparison. I found it to be visually stimulating, easy to follow, and all-around a fun way to revisit a classic tale.

[Allison Webster · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book belongs in the genre of junior graphic novel.

This book a contemporary retelling of a classic story: Treasure Island.

The area for review in this novel is content. The magic of this book lies in the way that it is presented to the student. Not only is a classic book broken down to a readable level for young readers, but it also creates interest within students. The classic story is easily broken down to a young reader's ability with the illustrations.

This book can be integrated into the curriculum in the following ways:

English/Reading: Classic novel, graphic novel

Art

[Danielle · Rating 1 out of 5]

This could only possibly be good for a child who otherwise refuses to read anything. I think they actually took a story that would be interesting for reluctant readers and made it unappealing and boring.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty much entirely without soul or spirit, but I needed the basics of the plot broken down for a work project. At least it was useful in that regard, and hopefully will get some of my students to engage in the Treasure Island themed stuff we're doing.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling adventure from beginning to end.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

illustrations not my favorite, but a good retelling-G