Island Boyz

PRESENTATION

Island Boyz is a collection of short stories with teen male protagonists set in Hawaii. The tales range from a trip to a supposedly haunted waterfall to preteen boys dealing with a disabled classmate at a remote boarding school. What stands out the most to me, however, is Salisbury's spot-on description of the islands where I grew up. Hawaii itself becomes a character in these stories, whether as a hot and humid heat or the power of a hurricane descending upon a couple of stupid boys who decide to go out in it. I also appreciate that the Hawaii Salisbury depicts is the everyday Hawaii filled with real people and real problems, not the romanticized, idyllic vacation getaway that so many associate with the islands. Recommended for teen boys and anyone interested in reading realistic teen fiction set in Hawaii.