Die Schatzinsel

Pirate adventures and South Seas romance still arouse the love of reading in ten- to thirteen-year-olds today. But it is not only the gripping plot that makes the novel a particularly suitable read: Historical aspects such as seafaring, pirates, and social structures can be addressed in the classroom. Throughout the novel, there are also scenes that raise questions about guilt, punishment, and forgiveness. Stevenson does not provide clear answers to these questions; his characters are not clearly painted as black or white. It is this ambivalence that sets "Treasure Island" apart from many other adventure novels and makes the book a delightful read.