The absorbing story of the Cretan village of Plaka and the tiny,
deserted island of Spinalonga - Greece's former leper colony - is
told to us by Maria Petrakis, one of the children in the original
version of The Island. She tells us of the ancient and
misunderstood disease of leprosy, exploring the themes of stigma,
shame and the treatment of those who are different, which are as
relevant for children as adults. Gill Smith's rich, full-colour
illustrations will transport the reader to the timeless and
beautiful Greek landscape and Mediterranean seascape.