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Audiobook editionPaperback · 6 × 9 in · printing soonHardcover · 6 × 9 in · printing soonAbout this book
Hidden caves and buried secrets wait on unfamiliar shores—but courage means more than taking the next step.
The Wonder Island Boys: Treasures of the Islands, credited to Roger T. Finlay, brings young adventurers to the South Seas, far from home. Hidden places and puzzles draw them toward the unknown. In this island world, teamwork, quick thinking and nerve are the tools that matter.
The promise of discovery comes with danger. Hidden caves invite exploration, while buried secrets give the journey its pull. This old-fashioned adventure puts courage to work through clear thinking: facing a strange problem, taking it step by step and finding a way forward rather than turning away.
What you’ll discover
- Islands far from home Enter a South Seas setting where unfamiliar shores give adventure a strong sense of place.
- Secrets beneath the surface Follow the promise of hidden caves and buried mysteries that make exploration worth the risk.
- Courage with a clear head Discover courage in the patient work of looking closely and thinking a problem through.
- Teamwork under pressure Explore an adventure tradition where young people rely on shared effort, nerve and quick thinking.
- The pull of discovery Enjoy clear action and puzzles that keep attention fixed on what might lie ahead.
Who will love it
This book suits readers who love South Sea adventure, cave exploring and clever escapes, and anyone who enjoys a wise guide explaining the science behind each wonder.
What’s inside
The key ideas, in the 15-minute summary
- Strange cries become a rescue call
- A small force uses uncertainty
- Tarra faces the raised club
- Mercy opens a guarded conversation
- Understanding rites makes change possible
- Small signs guide the cave search
- Science guards the next discovery
- John searches for understanding
- Returning clues connect the adventure
Who’s who
- Harry CrandallA bright, quick-thinking young American who helps lead the party and wants to help the people they meet on the islands.
- George MayfieldHarry's close friend, curious and resourceful, always asking questions and ready with practical ideas for caves, lamps and signals.
- John VarneyA learned explorer who uses calm courage and science to protect his friends, and who is secretly searching for old records, not gold.
- UrasoChief of a Wonder Island tribe, clever and diplomatic, who speaks for John and helps negotiate with the new tribes.
- MuroAnother Wonder Island chief and a skilled scout who tracks the night callers and finds the sea route for the ship.
- TarraAn intelligent islander and friend of the party who is captured while carrying a message and needs rescue.
- Ta BabedaThe large, strong Chief of the Malosos, who learns that wisdom may be greater than strength and begins to change.
- Ephraim WilmarA hunchbacked American who has ruled a northern tribe for decades, wants to help his people and longs to see the wider world.
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- Large print paperback
- 8.5 × 11 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
- Large print hardcover
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The Wonder Island Boys: Treasures of the Islands in 25 languages, side by side, paragraph by paragraph, once the book texts are online: the way to learn a language with a book you love.
The Wonder Island Boys: Treasures of the Islands
by Roger T. Finlay · 1914
Harry and George hear strange night cries on a South Sea island and follow John toward cannibal country and caves.
Medium level2–5 hours to read20 languages
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In short
What would you do if strange cries in the night were a secret code, and the people behind them were holding a feast at the dark of the moon? That is where The Wonder Island Boys: Treasures of the Islands begins.
The Wonder Island Boys: Treasures of the Islands at a glance
- Reading time
- About 3 h 25 min2 h 45 min fast, 4 h 5 min slow
- Length
- 49,000 words
- Library level
- Medium longer sentences, everyday words
- First published
- 1914by Roger T. Finlay
Reading time at 238 words a minute (fast 300, slow 200). How long the classics take to read · Updated
From the 15-minute summary · Key idea 1
Night cries are a code, not birds
Harry and George sit on a hillside at night and talk of a bird once heard near the cave at the Cataract, the Cry of the Lost Soul. Then a fresh cry rings out, and something answers from nearby. The boys creep to where John and the chief Uraso should be sleeping and find it empty.
They find the two men awake and armed. Muro, the second chief, has followed the callers for hours. He brings grim news. These are the Konotos, and they hold their feast at the dark of the moon, when captives are sacrificed.
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Details
- First published
- 1914
- Language
- English
- Level
- Medium level
Cite this edition
Finlay, Roger T. The Wonder Island Boys: Treasures of the Islands. Library of Alexandria, 2026, libraryofalexandria.com/products/the-wonder-island-boys-treasures-of-the-islands.
Finlay, R. T. (2026). The Wonder Island boys: Treasures of the islands. Library of Alexandria. https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/the-wonder-island-boys-treasures-of-the-islands (Original work published 1914)
Finlay, Roger T. The Wonder Island Boys: Treasures of the Islands. Library of Alexandria, 2026. https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/the-wonder-island-boys-treasures-of-the-islands.
@book{finlay2026wonder,
author = {Finlay, Roger T.},
title = {The Wonder Island Boys: Treasures of the Islands},
publisher = {Library of Alexandria},
year = {2026},
url = {https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/the-wonder-island-boys-treasures-of-the-islands},
note = {First published 1914}
}
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What is The Wonder Island Boys: Treasures of the Islands about?
Two American boys, Harry and George, sail with the explorer John to a strange island near Wonder Island. They face cannibal rites, rescue prisoners, open caves and search for ancient records, while helping the local tribes find peace.
Who are Uraso and Muro?
Uraso and Muro are chiefs of two Wonder Island tribes who have become close friends of the boys and John. They help as scouts, interpreters and peace envoys among the tribes on the new island.
Do I need to read the earlier Wonder Island books first?
The story brings back the key facts of the earlier books in its opening chapters, naming the shipwreck, the island and the main friends, so a reader can follow it with ease as a fresh adventure.
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