Last Chance Island is where fifteen-year-old Spike is sent after her father dies, leaving her homeless. The lighthouse keeper happens to be Spike’s aunt, her only living relative. Spike is bored and not at all happy about living on an island with not much for a trendy teenager to do. She plans to use her knowledge of boats to escape at the first opportunity and join a band of musicians she met in Dublin.

Kalu’s village in Africa and everyone in it is destroyed by rebel soldiers. Only Kalu and his small cousin, Aisha, escape. They stowaway on a dubious fisherman’s boat and are dropped off on a small island with very little food and no shelter from the harsh weather. They have no idea where they are or when the fisherman will come back for them, or if he will. The fear of being caught by the authorities and sent back to Africa keep them hidden in a cave, even though Aisha is sick and getting sicker by the minute.

Spike longs to know more about her mother, who died when she was born. She misses her father, even though he was distant and refused to talk about her mother.

Kalu tries not to think of the horrendous things he witnessed and what happened to his dear mother while he plays his bamboo flute every evening to say goodnight to the setting sun.

This action-packed story is written alternately from the point of view of Kalu and Spike, believable twenty-first-century characters dealing with real third world and first world problems. The combination of action set against the unforgiving landscape of the Irish coast and genuine emotions, make this a page turner.
Except for both being homeless orphans, Spike and Kalu are worlds apart. Will they find the family and home they both long for? Last Chance Island may be their only chance – if they survive.