Description:
Deep in the snowy woods, four orphans of the Bunion Home for Extra Children discover a broken picture frame hidden in a stone garden. In another time, across the sea, a boy is born with a decidedly pointy head; his fate is tied to the two young sisters he meets at a seaside carnival. And on the cold sands of a cursed beach, a white buffalo pines for his lost treasure. All the characters' separate journeys bring them to the Picture Island, and an epic battle with a Sea Witch for the island-and their own souls-ensues.
Brief description: Michael S. Manley is a professional French hornist, teacher, and writer living in Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition to The Picture Island, Michael is the author of the plays float and Sept., and the co-author (book, lyrics) of the one-act musical Legacy of the Tiger Mother, with composer and author Angela Chan. In addition to fiction and dramatic writing, Michael has published many articles on labor and the arts for the International Musician. As a musician, Michael performed the entire run of Disney's The Lion King-Las Vegas, and spent his early career touring with the Broadway musicals Les Misérables and Miss Saigon, and with the New York City Opera National Company.
Review Quotes:
I am a voracious reader, and while Michael S. Manley is a new author to me, I am eager to read his future work. The turns of phrase in this book are magnificently vivid, the rich prose a delight. I even found myself, at one point, moved to tears. This book has it all-lush imagery, adventure, the classic good-versus-evil struggle, magic, and redemption. And along the way, our heartstrings are pulled with lessons about family, teamwork, and, most importantly, understanding for those just a little different from us. Well done, Mr. Manley. -Ann Collins, Book Reviewer