Lepra offers free educational resources for “Maria’s Island”
Lepra (@lepra) are really excited to be working with Victoria Hislop, Gill Smith and Walker Books on a free educational resource based on the children’s book, Maria’s Island.
Maria’s Island is a compelling story for #KS2 and #KS3 students which follows a family impacted by leprosy, a disease which is often misunderstood. The book examines the challenges they face and how they overcome them.
If your school is looking for a charity to support, then the educational resources, created by Walker Books, can be used for free in class or assembly, alongside a video presentation about how your school can fundraise for Lepra.
Reunify The Marbles
Victoria hislop joined protestors, including six members of parliament, at the British Museum in London on Sunday to call for the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles with Greece as international support grows for a resolution to the decades-long cultural row.
The protest was organized by the advocacy group British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles (BCRPM) and marked the 13th anniversary of the inauguration of the Acropolis Museum in Athens.
Activists unfurled Greek flags and a banner reading “Reunify the Marbles!” inside the museum, while English author and honorary Greek citizen Victoria Hislop presented a cake with the numbers “1” and “3.” The 5th-century BCE statues have been held in the British institutions since 1816, after they were removed from the facade of the Acropolis under the direction of Scottish nobleman Lord Elgin.
A dramatic and moving story set in the same world as the international bestseller The Island from the celebrated novelist Victoria Hislop.
The absorbing story of the Cretan village of Plaka and the tiny, deserted island of Spinalonga – Greece’s former leprosy 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.
“The idea came out of a conversation with some school teachers in Crete.” said Victoria “They commented that there were so many themes in the story that were as relevant to children as to adults but felt that the original novel was a little too grown-up for many of them. I realised that much of the book is actually about children and their experiences of stigma and loss, so this has been a wonderful experience for me, to look at things through their eyes. Writing for children requires a whole different set of skills and I hope they will enjoy reading it.”
Praise for Maria’s Island
The tale is narrated by Maria, one of the children in Hislop’s novel The Island, from which this engrossing yarn is skillfully adapted for younger readers.
― The Daily Telegraph
Sometimes poignant but never upsetting, this book highlights the strength of love, friendship and resilience over adversity. Complemented wonderfully by Gill Smith’s beautiful illustrations, this is an ideal book for older early readers who are ready explore more complex themes associated such as coping with adversity and having respect for others who may be different from themselves.
– Gazette Herald Books of the Month
I picked this book up as soon as it arrived and couldn’t put it down. My favourite things were the Greek setting and the history in the story, and I loved that the character was called Anna – best name ever! I didn’t know much about this story before I read it and enjoyed finding out about the adventures. I would recommend it to my friends. I liked the illustrations too.
— Anna, Age 11 ― Toppsta
“…a powerful story about love, stigma and hope.”
– Mini Travellers
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👌 🆗️ I am sure it will be wonderful 👏 work as always
Το διάβασα κυρία Hislop, και όπως πάντα ενθουσιάζομαι γιατι δίνετε στα ,...ιστορματά σας συχνά συναρπαστική πλοκή, αλλά και καλή ιστορική των γεγονότων. Επίσης μου κινεί το ενδιαφέρον, όταν «ξένοι» ασχολούνται και γράφουν για την ελληνική ιστορία!! Όμως εδώ κα Hislop, παίρνετε ξεκάθαρα το μερος των κομμουνιστών , καθιστώντας τους αντιπάλους τους , δεξιούς και κεντρώους , σχεδόν σαν απάνθρωπους εγκληματίες. Και βέβαια έγιναν εγκλήματα στον εμφύλιο , παλιά λεγόταν « συμμοριτοπόλεμος»». Ούτε θέλω να βάλω στην ζυγαριά ποιά παράταξη έκανε τα ποιό πολλά. Το βασικό και κύριο είναι κα Hislop, πως ΚΑΙ οι Εγγλέζοι ( έστω για τους δικούς τους λόγους) βοήθησαν την χώρα να μην πέσει στα δεινά του ΚΟΜΜΟΥΝΙΣΤΙΚΟΥ ΠΑΡΑΔΕΙΣΟΥ που προσπάθησαν να μας ..δωρίσουν πο Έλληνες κομμουνιστές με την καθοδήγηση του «πατερούλη “ Στάλιν « Για το τι έπραξαν οι Έλληνες κομμουνιστές σας προτείνω να διαβάσετε το βιβλίο «ΕΛΕΝΗ» του Νίκου Κατζογιάννη , για τον μαρτυρικό θάνατο της μητέρας του από τους κομμουνιστές «αγωνιστές» για την Δικαιοσύνη ... για το παιδομάζωμα -ξερίζωμα των ελληνοπαίδων ..από τα χωρια και και τις οικογενειές τους.. και πάμπολα άλλα. Μην το ξεχάσω , μάθετε για την θηριωδία του Μελιγαλά .. Αυτά για την ενημέρωση σας, και πάλι ..να είστε πάντα καλά και να ασχολείστε με την αγαπημένη δας, όπως αποδεικνύεται ΕΛΛΑΔΑ 🌺🙏🌷
‘Your great-grandmother lived on that island,’ Fotini said. ‘She was a leper.’ Victoria wrote THE ISLAND after being inspired by a visit to Spinalonga and is now an ambassador for Lepra. You can find out more about this hard-working charity at www.lepra.org.uk/.
I’ve read this awesome book an want to visit the island does anyone have a suggestion of where is best place to stay in Crete ???
I donate to Lepra at Christmas now because of that book x
I visited spinalonga because of the book!!! Imagining where everyone lived
I visited Spinalonga and it was the best holiday tour I have ever done and very emotional too. Our tour guide was wonderful and was telling us that the week before she had a lady on her tour who wanted to see her place of birth, she was born on the island to lepers and was taken away to be adopted, it made me cry!
My favourite book ever and finally got to visit Spinalonga in September. It was so emotional
I read this book during lockdown. I parked at Plaka in my motorhome. I kept the island in full view as I read. I wept many times... I’m very blessed to have done this... it’s something I’ll treasure forever.
After reading the fantastic ‘ The Island’ i found our visit to spinalonga very emotional and walking through the tunnel sent the hairs on the back of my neck prickle…..i read the book again when i got back home and it mean’t so much more which i didn’t think was possible
I would so love to go there, if only I didn’t have this fear of flying! Wonderful book and I must read it again, and then One August Night
Tenho todos os livros, e já os li todos esse da ilha foi o meu 1.º.
Loved the book
Also my favourite book, I have read it so many times and never tire of it. I visited Spinalonga again in July as I never saw enough the 1st time. Truly the most emotional place I have ever been too and so glad you felt the same. Go again if you can and want to, it's even better next time round.
I have read the book twice and finally visited Spinalonga in June this year. Such a special day
Visited there years ago . Loved the 2 books you wrote
Great work 👏 my friend
One of my favourite books
Jacqueline Vass Smith
Colin Ward
Kaylea JL x
Τώρα διαβάζω το « Όσοι αγαπιούνται «.. Πολύ συναρπαστικό και διδακτικό !!’
In the summer of 1972, Famagusta in Cyprus is the most desirable resort in the Mediterranean, a city bathed in the glow of good fortune. But beneath the city's façade of glamour and success, tension is building.
Forty thousand people seize their most precious possessions and flee from the advancing soldiers. In the deserted city of Famagusta, just two families remain.
#TheSunrise
After reading this book I went to Famagusta, seeing the devestation left behind bought the book to life for me. I felt very emotional indeed. I love how Victoria uses history fact and fiction in her writing, this to me is what makes her books so enjoyable. I watched Ben Fogels programme a couple of weeks ago where he visited Famagusta and he met a couple who had to flee their home, they took him and showed him where they had lived, it was the first time In all these years they had been able to go back. It was very moving.
Beautifully written. Thank you Victoria as reading the Sunrise helped me better understand what my parents went through as refugees of Cyprus. My parents have read it too in Greek and loved it then bought me the English version. We love every book of yours, you truly have an incredible gift.
One of my favourites. A beautiful read.
This was a great read. I finished it in one day starting it at Santorini airport (very delayed flight) and finishing it on the train back to Devon. The time flew as I was so engrossed in it 💕
A great read that made me research the true story behind this era.
Your best book so far, dear Victoria! I visited Varosha a few years before reading and you really took me back.
Another great read. Love all her books.
Is this a new book? I know I have read all of Victoria's books, I can't remember all the titles.. help please folks 💖😀
Beautiful novel. Hope they make a tv series based on that.
Beautiful novel, also reading in dutch language 👌
Such a wonderful book 📕 ❤️❤️
Loved it, and very poignant, as I had a family member based there, during the invasion
one of your best novels, thank you
Absolutely loved this book, so sad but beautifully written 🧡
Am listening again now on Audible.....Great narration from "Linda Snell"
Love your books 🇬🇷🧿💙🇨🇾
Loved this book. Sobbed at the end (sign of a good read!)
Absolutely brilliant book, I totally recommend it 😊
Fantastic book... loved it
Stunning book . Wish I could read it for the first time again 🥰
I loved this book so much.
Loved this book!
Brilliant book I'll never forget it
Loved every book and didn't want them to end❤️
Fantastic book....
The gripping and compelling novel from the No. 1 bestseller, #ThoseWhoAreLoved is the epic tale of an ordinary woman compelled to live an extraordinary life. Only 99p in Kindle this month! Buy your copy here: fal.cn/3nXeY
This was so beautifully written…it was amazing!! I think this was my favourite. X
Great book!
Absolutely wonderful
When asked about THE ISLAND, Victoria says, “The Greeks respond in a very emotional way to THE ISLAND – TO NISI in Greek. I have met people in Greece who have read it three or four times, they are quite fanatical about it... which is very nice but sometimes a bit disconcerting.”
Our tour guide on Spinalonga, was a Greek lady who was referred to as Mrs Mary, she was quite elderly and just so knowledgeable. The other tour guides treated her with so much respect we felt honoured to have her. She was so forceful with her recommendation of The Island as being the best telling of the story of Spinalongato, I bought it straight away and read it on the beach in Crete. I then wanted to go straight back but it was amazing being able to picture what I was reading about. I need to go back, thanks Victoria xx
I read The Island for the 9th time when I visited Crete last month, a waiter in the taverna I was eating in after visiting Spinalonga for the 6th time asked "Are you reading that book again? You're just like my wife" It's nice to know you're remembered 😁
There was always something special about spinalonga, I had been there a few times before I read the book, and been a few times since and the book has made it more special xx I also wish there were a series or film in English.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book & found where I could buy the DVDS of the complete Greek TV serialisation (with subtitles) which I really enjoyed watching. We've visited Crete for our vacations over 30 times & have travelled around most of the island, but had never made time to visit Spinalonga. We made time to do that this year & found the place to be fascinating as well as very sad when remembering what it was once used for.
Wish we could get the series in the UK in English, loved the book
I’ve visited Spinalonga because of reading The Island and I recently visited Thessaloniki because I read and enjoyed The Thread. I also loved The Return but my favourite book of them all is The Sunrise. I’ve read and re read all of Victoria Hislop’s books at least 5 times they are like old friends.
Would love a film in English, my favourite book. Thank you for writing it x
I was in Elounda and Plaka the winter ‘To Nisi’ was filmed. Nearly all the locals were roped in to appear in it. When I watch it on DVD I still get somewhat distracted when I recognise locals I know appearing in it!
It is a wonderful book. I can completely understand why some Greeks would go OTT with it. I really really wish we could watch the series. It must be brilliant
It was wonderful to spend time in the area and then to visit. We read your book and it’s very special to us. I will never forget coming over the hill and seeing the islands in the sea on the approach to Elounda Took my breath away
My favourite book! I went to Crete twice but didn't get the chance to visit Spinalonga. The main reason why Crete is still on my list😉
One of my favorites, read it 4 times and been to Spinalonga, so moved when I walked through the arch, and remembered the book, also got the boat over from Plaka and ate lunch in taverna there........
I’m half Greek my wife is French and she is, because of your writing totally in love with Spinalonga, Crete and Greece. Thank you for bringing to life Greek heritage, philotimo and culture for people to experience and enjoy!
My favourite book of all time ❤️
Loved the book and the Greek series ( with subtitles). Now I’m reading Maria’s Island in Greek. You created a wonderful world in that book.
Great book.
Just so disappointed that it is impossible to find the series made by Mega, who went bankrupt, on Blue Ray or DVD. It is such a beautiful translation of the book with great actors....
As I told you, at Emilia’s wedding, you managed to embrace the essence of the sacrifice that was made at Spinalonga. Only congratulations to you for getting into the skin of the psyche!
I really loved that book. I didn’t want to leave it out of my hands
Loved the series and the book.
I have read this book maybe 50 times and have so many copies and just brought one for my friend for Xmas cos I won’t lend mine out!
In my opinion it was the best TV series ever made in Greece. While the sequel series "Μία νύχτα του Αυγούστου" is very good, it doesn't match the cinematographic artistry of The Island
One time ???? Many times for this book "Το Νησί "( I am lucky ....my mother was nursery..in Spinaloga...and l know many histories...but was not in life when start the sirial )
Loved the book and loved visiting Spinalonga.
These comments posted about Spinalonga demonstrate how powerful the written word can be, as there's probably few people who'd know about the story of Spinalonga, until they read Victoria's words, which create the images in our minds of the kind of people who were forced to live there. Just ordinary people, like most of us. See my response to Zina Kritikia's post below, where I've posted a copy of an email that I received from "The Ark of the World", where I was able to purchase the DVDs of the 26 episodes of the excellent TV drama (in Greek with subtitles in English or Norwegian!).
Having been inspired by a conversation with a Greek teacher to retell the story of Spinalonga through the eyes of a child, with the illustrator Gill Smith, Victoria and her publisher Walker Books are thrilled to be working with Lepra on a free educational resource based "Maria's Island"
If your school is looking for a charity to support, then the educational resources, created by Walker Books, can be used for free in class or assembly, alongside a video presentation about how your school can fundraise for Lepra.
For more information or to download educational resources, Visit Lepra
www.lepra.org.uk/marias-island/
