Halam, Ann. Dr. Franklin's Island.

Random House, Dell, Laurel-Leaf. 245p. c2002. 0-440-23781-5. $5.50. JS

To quote the hardcover review in KLIATT, July 2002: When their plane crashes somewhere off the coast of South America, three teenage science students on the way to a wildlife conservation station are stranded on a tropical island. Semi, a shy and frightened girl, tells of their struggle to survive as resourceful, upbeat Miranda takes the lead and obnoxious Arnie teases both of them. They believe the atoll to be deserted, but then Arnie disappears--and in searching for him, they stumble across the other inhabitants of the island, and their ordeal turns into a nightmare. They are all captured by a mad scientist named Dr. Franklin, who plans to create a new race of creatures with both human and animal traits--and intends that the teenagers become his first trial subjects. Under his transgenic treatment, Semi is transformed into a manta ray and Miranda into a bird, while Arnie, appropriately, is a snake. The three teenagers can communicate telepathically, but are they starting to lose their humanity? And will they ever be able to escape and regain their human forms?

This thrilling horror story "was inspired partly by H.G. Wells's story The Island of Dr. Moreau," according to the author, who writes adult SF and fantasy (under the name Gwyneth Jones) as well as books for children. It's an imaginative and absorbing tale that fans of fantasy and horror tales will greatly enjoy. The many sensory details, like Halam's evocations of the joys of being a fish, help make this riveting and memorable, and the close friendship of Semi and Miranda gives the story some emotional depth, too. The spooky cover will help attract an audience. (Note: See also the audiobook version reviewed in this issue.) Paula Rohrlick, KLIATT

J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.

S--Recommended for senior high school students.