Abel’s Island

By William Steig

Copyright 1976

A Newbery Honor Book

Abel lives a life of leisure, never having worked a day in his life.  He and his wife Amanda drink champagne and eat caviar and dress luxuriously in their fine home all thanks to Abel’s mother’s money.

Oh, and Abel is a mouse. 

One fine morning, Abel and Amanda decide to have a picnic in the park.  Unfortunately, the weather makes a quick turn for the worse.  Valiantly, when his wife’s silk scarf blows away in a terrible storm, Abel tries to rescue it.  His efforts lead him to be stranded on a deserted island, with no way to contact his friends or family.  

The trials and challenges Abel faces are numerous.  He needs to find and store food, build shelter, fight off an owl, keep warm, and try to find a way off his island.  

Adversity and independence have a way of strengthening a person (or mouse) beyond his imagination.  Faced with the challenge of survival, Abel somehow finds the courage and resourcefulness to carry on.  In the process, he discovers skills and talents he never would have had he remained in his leisurely life.  

To find out if Abel ever sees his dear wife again, check out Abel’s Island at your local library!