Ice Wreck

July 1, 2001
Gr. 2-4. Shackleton's heart-pounding expedition and rescue comes vividly to life in this beginning chapter book. Each exciting stage in the ordeal is told in simple, descriptive language. The text is filled with interesting facts about Antarctica and survival in an arctic climate, and it creates a solid, heroic portrait of Shackleton. Chapters end with just the right hooks to propel readers forward. Angular paintings by David LaFleur ably illustrate the action and treacherous conditions, but it's the scattered black-and-white photos that will intrigue children most, showing the boat precariously encased in ice and a nice shot of Shackleton himself. Steer more confident readers on to Elizabeth Cody Kimmel's "Into the Ice" (1999). A fine entry in the Road to Reading series. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2002
With short, simple sentences, Penner describes Shackleton's 1914 attempted expedition to Antarctica. The complete rescue and the most dramatic moments are included, such as Shackleton's plucking a crew member out of the icy water as the floe split beneath their tent, but quotations are undocumented. The text is illustrated with adequate artwork and four black-and-white photographs.

(Copyright 2002 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)