My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Daybreak on Raven Island is perfect for mystery lovers and for those who enjoy spooky ghost encounters.

I was super intrigued by the clever premise of this book – 3 kids end up stuck for the night on a haunted island that used to hold an active prison. It’s inherently creepy and a great set up for an overnight adventure.

Bradley doesn’t hold back with the chilling ghost encounters and the grimness and isolation of the prison itself. She does a great job bringing us into an environment filled with tension. I particularly liked how she designed the island and how it feels so interconnected. And the double mystery was a fun surprise.

The three main characters – Tori, Marvin, and Noah – are all relatable. The reader is drawn into their unique perspective of this prison and the ghosts, and we are rewarded by seeing them face their fears. Tori’s experience with a brother incarcerated made her view of the prison very different from others. Her sadness and frustration with prisoner treatment is the driving force behind Bradley’s commentary on the prison system. This commentary adds to the book and challenges young readers preconceived notions of how this system works in our country.

Overall, this is a great spooky middle grade book with tons of mystery and heart!




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