A ship carrying several of the islanders is wrecked off the shore of one of the larger islands of the Faroe Islands. The islanders want to rescue them, and a teenage boy is sent to help what is thought to be a survivor swimming to the island. Instead it is a very hungry polar bear. What follows is an account of the islanders' efforts to remove the polar bear threat as well as to rescue their men. I got a sense of some of the geography of the island as well as the unusual nature of a visit by a polar bear in this story written for about a middle age audience. While the story probably fails to build action in the sense that more recent survival stories for young adult readers do, it is still a great visit to an island group for which few works of fiction exist. ( )

The Faroe Islands are located almost midway between Scotland and Iceland. Locals sustain themselves through fishing and bird-hunting. The meeting of the Gulf Stream with an icy Polar current makes for unpredictable weather that can lead to great dangers on the island of Mykines; a place whose rough landings and wild weather make accessibility nearly impossible for all but the locals who are accustomed to its tides and rocky beaches.

In The Strange Intruder, an injured schooner, an unusual passenger and fierce weather conspire to bring grave danger to the islanders while they attempt to save those on the doomed boat. Sixteen-year-old Sven is thrust to the fore-front of strategies and dangerous missions (lots of intense rock-climbing) since most of the men and boys on the island are away on a whale hunt. Heroism, teamwork and quick-thinking are essential to success...and even survival.

This thrilling adventure story will keep you on the edge of your seat and is recommended for ages 10 and up. I think some sensitive youngsters may find it too intense. It also provides a unique and memorable geography lesson!