Sparkle Island: Stories of Love, Life and Walloon Lake

By Ellen Rosewall

In 1930, Ellen Rosewall's grandfather purchased a summer cottage on Walloon Lake, Michigan, for $1,000 - without ever seeing the inside. Since then, the cottage (located down the road from Ernest... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0970110707
• ISBN13: 9780970110701
• Release Date: June 2000
• Publisher: Raven Tree Pr Llc
• Length: 171 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.8" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Sparkle Island

Sparkle Island is one of the most delightful books I have ever read. Ellen Rosewall has an extraordinary gift for bringing the reader right onto the porch of her family's enchanting cottage. You can almost taste the lemonaide. Like any fine writer, Ellen writes what she knows. Her subject is familiar to anyone who has ever enjoyed a family vacation in a familiar cottage and anyone who has just dreamed of such a pleasure.Every detail of cottage life is described in such a way that the reader can't help but want to plan a vacation to Walloon Lake or a reasonable facsimile. This book should be in every family and vacation cottage on earth, if only to inspire others to record and remember their family history.

Can't get enough

Sparkle Island is a fantastic book which reminds us that in todays world of constantly shifting workplaces,homes, relationships or whatever, that the most important things cannot be bought for any price. Family life is the one true thing that needs to be cherished and I feel honored to be an observer into this author's family.Not only are readers allowed a glimpse into an obviously warm and loving family, we are allowed to experience cottage life, with all of its charms. The sense of closeness they share and experience at the cottage almost convinces the reader Ja-Ma-Ca has magical qualities, which indeed it may have! I have traveled around somewhat and still have many places I yearn to visit but now Walloon Lake is on my list. I long to collect a Petoskey stone, to eat planked whitefish, to go for a boat ride on the lake, and most of all to play petanque! Read this book and share it with others. You won't be disappointed, especially if you have a cottage or have summered at one.

Sparkle Island

From the first page to the last, my husband and I cried, laughed, sighed, remembered, and imagined -- sometimes all at the same time -- as we read this wonderful book together. Anyone who's ever known the wonder of returning year after year to a special place will immediately find themselves at home, and in love with this book.

I wanted to read it in one sitting!

This book pulled me in from the first glance. I started reading the forward, read it to my husband, and we both wanted to sit down and read it! When I finally did get a chance to sit down and take it in, it was hard to put down...but I'm glad I did, so I could enjoy it longer. I'll definitely read this one again, when I have a few hours to sit back, relax, and enjoy the sunshine.

This book will touch your soul.

When I bought "Sparkle Island", I had intended to save it for reading material on an upcoming vacation. That idea lasted about a day...until I couldn't resist and wound up reading it cover to cover in one night.Ellen Rosewall shares not only beautiful descriptions of her family's cottage on Walloon Lake. She shares a part of herself. As I read the book, I began to feel like a part of her family. "Sparkle Island", written in short essays, reads much like a journal. This more personal format enhances the personal nature and brings you closer to the events, the surroundings and the people in the book. As I read through each of the essays, I felt as though I was sitting across the table with Ellen Rosewall herself, reminiscing about old family stories.In short, this book is wonderful. It's charming, witty, and should definitely be read not just once. Whenever you're feeling a yearning for family or a relaxing trip to a beautiful cottage on the lake, just pick up "Sparkle Island" and you'll be there.