The Coral Island: Robert Ballantyne

This book was the inspiration for Golding's Lord of the Flies. It's about 3 shipwrecked boys; Ralph- the narrator who is 15, Peterkin-13 and Jack-18.The story is kind of dull until chapter 19 when Ballantyne stops spending time describing  the island and its wonders and adds some action. Though before wikipedia and TV this book was probably packed full of interesting exotics; penguins, breadfruit trees, sharks, water caves, wild pigs etc. The last half of the book includes visitors to the islands, battles, kidnappings. So at least it ended excitingly!