Book Description

This book for reading level kindergarten to grade 3 is about Seaman,the Newfoundland dog belonging to Meriwether Lewis. The story tells of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the Pacific Ocean and back to St. Charles, Missouri where the adventure began. Issustrations are in the styles of the Lewis and Clark Journals and feature the Native America tribes encountered and the plants and animals discovered. The book comes with a bookmark of Seaman. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good Book
My seven year old really likes this book. We have read it to her several times and she just renewed it from the library. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

A funfilled andventure to the river sea
I have to say, Journey to the river sea was the best book I've ever read in my live. Maia, the heroine of the story, has gone with her new governess, Miss Minton to the amazon because there, her only relations are living. Because when she was little, her parents tragicly died.
In the amazon, they meet an actor, an heir to a great estate and put their lives in danger to help their frinds.
This is a brilliant story of friendship, love and loss.

Journey to the River Sea Book Review
Journey to the River Sea
By: Ibbotson, Eva
Reviewed by: J. Lee
Period:1

Journey to the River Sea is a great book! Maia is a girl who lives in a boarding school unfortunately because her parents died in Egypt. She has no other live relatives, and is forced to go to boarding school. One day later, her lawyer tells her they have found some relatives, living in Brazil. They arranged for Maia to live with the Carters, her relatives. Maia thought she would find adventure exploring and a loving and kind family who would show her the Amazon. But instead she learns the Carters are definitely afraid of bugs and animals and won't step outside into the "wild". Maia doesn't really like anything about her "new" life, except her governess, Miss Minton. When one of her friends, Clovis, needs to get back to England, she makes a plan to get him out. In the story, Finn, her other friend, is a part of her plan for Clovis. This book has amazing adventures and much more than I expected. It also tells a lot about the Amazon and what the life was like. Even though the author did not use magic, as she had done so in her other books, she has made another spectacular book!

I like this book because it told of a great adventure that a little girl had. She had to make a lot of plans to get away from the twins and the Carters. Minty, Miss Minton, tries to help Maia escape the treacherous Carters and hide Finn and Clovis from them. This book was like going to a jungle and having fun.

" Maia? Where's Maia?" this quote was significant in the book because Maia was thought to have die in the Carter's burning house but she escaped. Miss Minton found Maia and was able to run away from the Carters. "Would you like to be our governess?" Miss Minton was offered a job as the governess for Sergi. But she refused for she only wanted to be the governess for Maia.

My favorite part of the book is when Maia and Miss Minton first arrive in the Amazon. The author of this book describes the Amazon very clearly. She tells you how the fruits look and how the people lived their lives by selling animals. This was like a movie but you get to watch it for free and you see the real deal. (no altering in the story)

What a book! Journey to the River Sea.
This book was warm and touching even though there were some hard words and the first few pages were tough as I could not fully get into the plot. Then it suddenly grabbed me and I could not put the book down and the plot of the story got better and better! The story was of a girl (Maia), an orphan, who is told that her uncle has been found, and lives in the Amazon which she is thoroughly pleased about. Even though the remarks from the girls in her class could put you off thinking of going, let alone going through with the thought! So Maia sets off with her governess for her new life. There was only one bad thing about this book which is I haven't found a book so far which matches its high standard.

loved this book
if you like adventure,humour and mystery all rolled in one this is the book for you. i really enjoyed maia's journey. while soem conclusions wre obvious-the book was good fun to read.

competent but not brilliant
Maia is a well-off orphan in 1910 London sent up the Amazon to live with distant relatives. Accompanied by a stern, but ultimately Cool, governess she is caught in the conflit between the natural world and European civilization. Compelling characters, easy to follow, I saw every plot twist coming a mile away. A fine book for 4th or 5th grade, but nothing to get overly excited about. The way the omniscient pov was handled felt clumsy. ages 10+ ... Read more

Book Description

Young Sacajawea has been asked to join Lewis and Clark in their exploration of the American West. As a translator, peacemaker, caretaker, and guide, Sacajawea made the historic journey of Lewis and Clark possible. This captivating novel which alternates between the points of view of Sacajawea and William Clark provides an intimate glimpse into what it would have been like to witness firsthand this fascinating time in our history. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Enjoyable
Sacajawea was the Indian teen that acted as guide and translator to Louis and Clark's expedition across the north-western territory that would soon become part of the United States with the Louisianna Purchase. Read about Sacajawea's early years, how she was pledged in marriage as a child. Stolen by a raiding party when only eleven and subsequently lost to a traveler while the new tribe was gambling with her. Married soon there after and giving birth all before the age of sixteen. And the interesting part of her life was yet to come.

The book also covers the expedition and its encounters while exploring the new land and the many Indian tribes the met. It is told in alternating view points of Sacajawea and Captain Clark. Their views on the happenings around them are very interesting. It is apparent how time and time again Sacajawea, or Janey as the expetition named her, was indespensible. Read between the lines to see the bond that formed between Sacajawea and Captain Clark.

This is an outstanding book that I recommend to adults as well as teens. Very informative and easy to read. The chapters were short and it was interesting how they altered from one view to the other and back.

Fantastic!! A joy to read.
I think one of the best things about this version of the Lewis and Clark story is the way the author alternated chapters by Sacajawea and Captain Clark. The whole book is told as a collections of stories for Sacajawea's son, Pomp, who was a favorite of Captain Clark. Their separate characters and backgrounds, American and Indian, shine through their versions of the memorable moments of the voyage to the Pacific Ocean and back.

This may be listed as a book for children, but it should not be labeled for any particular age group. Adults will enjoy it too.

The book so clearly points out the great optimisim of the early explorers that led them through dangerous situations with such confidence. The reliance upon actual texts from the participants of the voyage make this a very authentic story.

Not just for teens
I got this book for my 10 year old daughter, but I picked it up and found I couldn't put it down. It was a wonderfully entertaining story full of historical detail, and as told from the 2 points of view, Clark and Sacagawea, it just came alive in my mind. Joseph Bruchac tells a fascinating story and educates at the same time. I highly recommend this book for teens as well as adults.

Good historical fiction
I really enjoyed this book! I have always found the Lewis and Clark expedition to be fascinating, and this book combines the viewpoints of William Clark and Sacajawea. The two are telling their tales of the expedition to Sacajawea's son, and the story includes Native American legends as well as actual excerpts from William Clark's trip journals. I would recommend this book to any teens interested in the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Sacajawea
This is a great book. Full of adventure and dangers. I lovedit and will read it again! END ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

Suprising Seaman by:JPD grade5
This stunninng book is about a gentle, unique, imprissively large dog named Seaman. This enormous dog was sold to Meriwether Lewis to take on his expodiation. Together,Lewis and Seaman explored the West. They fit together like a door in a doorway. Their friendship was rare. While they explored, they met Indians. The Indains called Seaman, 'Bear-dog.' This phenaminal book is for readers on a 3rd to 5th grade reading level.

A Real Page Turner By:DLS Grade 5
This phenomenal book told a rich about the adventures of a dog with his masters, Lewis and Clark. This volouminous story begins with Seaman, a brave dog, but a young lonsome inexperienced puppy. One day a weary traveler named Meriwether Lewis asks two soldiers on the docks he was stationed at where he could get a dog. To his luck they end up giving him Seaman.
Seaman gets his first trial. The men are starting to get hungry. Seaman spots a large group of beavers down stream. He decides he could help the crew. He succedes, but while the crew is eating they find that Seaman was hurt. They quickly tend to his hurt leg.The next day Indians start coming out of the bushes from all angles and are heading right for Seaman.
This book was a good read and I recomend this book to you! ... Read more

Book Description

Scagawea, a Shashone Indian, guided and interpreted for explorers Lewis and Clarke as they traveled up the Mississippi, but she had adventures long before that one, like the time she was captured by the Minnetarees, and taken away from her family and everything that she knew and loved....
... Read more

Reviews (20)

My Favorite Scott O'Dell Book . . . so far!
This story took place in the Louisiana Territory during the early 1800's. The main character is a thirteen year old girl named Sacagawea. Other main characters are people in the Lewis and Clark expedition, her French husband, and her baby boy Meeka. Her husband, Charbonneau, was an ugly, cruel man who she was forced to marry because she was a Minnetaree slave. Clark, on the other hand, was handsome and kind and she loved him at first sight. Sacagawea went with the Lewis and Clark expedition so she could help guide them through the Louisiana Territory. They wanted to reach the North Pacific Ocean. Their journey held many difficulties including near starvation, floods, and frost bite. Do they make it? Does Sacagawea marry Clark? This is a great book. You should read it. Scott O'Dell is a wonderful writer. Out of all the Scott O'Dell books I've read, this one is my favorite.

Her Heart was Her Compass
This book is a fictionalized account of two years in the life of a young Shoshone girl, called "Bird Woman" in her own tongue. Kidnapped by a raiding tribe, whose language she must learn, she is enslaved and groomed for the chief's son. Something about Sacagawea excites the interest of several warriors during the course of this story, but she is forced to marry a sly, truculent French trapper named Charbonneau, by whom she has a son at only 14.

While attempting to maintain historical accuracy (based on Clark's journals), O'Dell weaves an interesting tale of suppressed emotions, greed and jealousy, sacrifice and intrigue in wilderness America. The famous Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804/5 was commissioned to explore and document the geography, geology, flora and fauna of the newly purchased Louisiana Territory for President Jefferson. With the presumptuous claiming of Native American land as far as the
Pacific coast. This ardurous journey to the salty ocean, with her infant son on her back, was undertaken in simple faith and steadfast loyalty to the copper-haired captain. Yet the return proved a trail of unshed tears by the devoted young mother, who realized that the famous white man would never marry an Indian woman and be demeaned as a squaw man.

This story will appeal more to girls, since it is narrated in the first person by Sacagewea herself. Fort Clatsop, where the party wintered near the Washington/Oregon border, has been reconstructed for tourists interested in America's Western history. Of note: the courage of this brave Indian girl has been preserved (with son on back) in a recent commemorative coin.

Streams to a little Boredom but Rivers to History
It was a good historical book, but at some parts it was slow. It was interesting to see Sacagawea's side of the story, not just Lewis and Clarks. It is a good book if you are studying the Lewis and Clark expedition, or if you want to find out about it. The story tells of Sacagawea's hardships throught the journey and what happened before Lewis and Clark even hired her. It is very interesting how she comes to love Clark, but she is already married.

Streams to the River; River to the Sea
This is a fantastic book that portrays the life of Sacagawea. It tells about her life from the time she was captured by the Minnetarees to when she leaves the Corps of Discovery at the end of their journey. It is a great read and very informative.

Fiction, but not Historical Fiction
Before I read the book, I saw the PBS documentary about Lewis and Clark. After reading the book, I double checked the information with the journals of the men of the Corps of Discovery. The first mistake the book made was that it said Sacagawea had learned English, and translated for them. However, she had not learned English at this time. The true translation process worked like this: Lewis or Clark would tell someone something in English; a member of the expedition would tell it to Charbonneau in French. Charbonneau would then translate it to Sacajawea's native language, and then she would speak to the Indians they met in their native language (if she knew it.)
One of the many other problems with Scott O'Dell's version, was that he made it sound like Captain William Clark was in love with Sacagawea, and she was in love with him. There is no proof that he was in love with her, but according to the journals, he did show compassion on her by trying to protect her from Charbonneau, who would often beat her.
Overlooking many small mistakes, I also must point out that Captain Lewis's Newfoundland dog was actually stolen, where in the book, it says that Captain Lewis gave Sacagawea the dog.
The end was the most disappointing part of the book. Once they reached the place where Sacagawea and her husband had started the journey, Captain Clark came to speak to her. He basically told her what he thought of her: that he didn't love her, and that he thought of her as a child. This led her to pack up and leave-the book ends with her riding away. Away from her husband whom she hated, and Captain Clark who she thought she loved. Away to the Shoshone people she truly loved.
However, this is not very accurate. It is known that Sacagawea stayed with Charbonneau at Fort Mandan for a month or two. Captain Clark invited the whole family to come to St. Louis so that her son could be educated. It is also known that they stayed there at least five years. In 1811, Charbonneau sold his land to Captain Clark and moved back to the Dakotas. Jean Baptiste, their son, was left in the care of Captain Clark. He became a trapper and guide who worked with Kit Carson, Jim Bridger and other explorers. He was fluent in French, German, Spanish and English as well his native Shoshone. ... Read more

Reviews (140)

The most realistic book ever (so far that I've read).
This book was tragic But adventureous. I felt like I was Hattie. It is about a girl who leaves her hometown in Booneville, Missora and heads out west to Oregon. Their are a lot of deaths in the story but none of Hattie's family members died on the Oergon trail so don't worry. I'm eight and I didn't have nightmares for a week but if I were you I would not let anybody under eight read this. they may get scared. There are great characters like Pepper, Gideon, Wade, Ben, Jake and of course Hattie Campell. If you like adventure and danger I recomend this book to you.

Good Book!!
In the 1800's, many people traveled the Oregon Trail in search of a better life. Hattie Campbell and her family were no exception. While traveling the Oregon Trail, Hattie kept a diary of her adventures she faced while making the long, hard journey. In her diary, Hattie tells of the hardships that the wagon train faced such as disease, theft, and exposure to the elements. This book is appealing to children grades 5 and up. Teachers, as well as parents, can use this book to teach their students about the Westward Expansion of the United States.

We read this book for our education class at the University of Mississippi. Hattie Campbell explains her adventures in such a way that it motivates anyone who is reading this book to become interested in the Westward Expansion. As teacher candidates, we quickly realized that this book could be integrated into all subject areas. This selection is an easy read and once started you will not want to put it down until the last page is read.

Oregon Here We Come!
Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie: The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell by Kristiana Gregory, is a novel about a 14 year old girl and her family traveling west to Oregon. Hattie goes through everything you can think of. She goes through the emotion of love, hate, anger, and sadness. Of course she has a good time sometimes, but it was a hard struggel moving west. Some turned back and some went on. Did they go all the way? You will have to read it yourself and find out. The setting is all the way from Missouri all the way up the Oregon Trail. Tootles from Mayflower.

Yet Another 8th Grade Review
I really liked reading this book. I give it 5 stars because the Donner family are canibles. Anyway it is about this girl who gets excited about moving to Oregon. Her grandpa falls out of his coffin in the begining which causes them to move. Along the way she makes a friend and they make all sorts of plans for when they get there, but something happens and Hattie, the girl's plans are ruined. So Hattie doesn't know if she will make it. Read this book!

A Great book about westward expansion
Across the wide and lonesome prairie was a great book! It was written by Kristiana Gregory. It was full of adventure. Some parts were sad and some were kind of funny. This is great for girls to read. They can connect to the young teenage girl (Hattie) in the story. Hattie faces a long hard journey to Oregon. She deals with a lady in her wagon train that steals from other families. Hattie almost loses her younger siblings and she has to deal with a lot of deaths of friends. This is a great book and full of adventure! ... Read more

Amazon.com

"The call of Antarctica is loud and clear: Go away. You hear it in thegroans of colliding ice floes. In the shriek of 200-mile-an-hour winds hurtlingdown the Transantarctic Mountains. In the thunder of an ice shelf splitting intothe sea. In the hostile silence of a darkness that begins in April and ends inJune."

And yet, for polar explorers like Jack Winslow, the call is irresistible. Daysafter his beloved wife's death in May 1909, Jack, his son Colin, and his stepsonAndrew, along with a motley crew of sailors, doctors, photographers, andscientists, set out on a journey to the bottom of the earth. During theirharrowing expedition, they must confront many horrors in addition to theirpersonal grieving and family disharmony: frostbite, killer whales, deadly icefloes, lack of food, negative-100-degree Fahrenheit temperatures, bottomlesscrevasses, a mutinous crew. Endurance, loyalty, and humanity are tested, and noman can be sure he'll emerge alive.

Peter Lerangis's exciting novel is packed with thoroughly researched informationon the Antarctic and turn-of-the-century ocean travel. While the characterdevelopment is a little hard to follow--each chapter is told from a differentcrew member's point of view--the story itself is thrilling. At the conclusion,the explorers (and readers) are left hanging from the proverbial cliff, as theship becomes trapped between ice floes. (Ages 9 to 13) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A gripping story of a fateful expedition to Antarctica....
Antarctica #1: Journey To The Pole tells the story of a gripping journey to reach the South Pole. A secret expedition hired by the multimillionaire Horace Putney sets out into the harsh circumstances of the Antarctic, with heroic Jack Winslow as the expedition leader. But tensions arise along the journey. Conditions are far more harsh then the crew expected, and the ultimate test of survival will reflect the faith of the crew. The choices are impossible situations, and their only hope is to endure and go on. The author, Peter Lerangis, writes this amazing first part of the story beautifully and with a flare that are portrayed by proffesional writers who know not just how to think up an amazing story, but to write it with the exact spices it needs. This is what we are able to experience when we read the painful story that Peter Lerangis introduced, a story that can't be forgotten any time soon.

a novel for children?
Peter Lerangis presents an exciting and sometimes horrifing novel about a 1909 expedition to the Antarctic. The book centers on Jack Winslow, who, not long after the death of his wife, takes his son and step son to the bottom of the earth. Also on the ship is a mismatched crew with their own reasons for travel. The book documents all the trials and dangers that follow: disharmony amoung the crew, freezing temperatures, ice floes, and sea creatures just to name a few.

Though the story is dramatic, it is hard to follow as each chapter is told from a different characters point of view. The book is also said to be told for ages 9-12 but I wonder if such a dark story will appeal to the younger set. I found the book interesting and even exciting at times but ultimately it failed to keep my attention and I found myself skimming through pages from time to time. I won't ruin the ending by sending that is was a little disappointing. I don't know if I can fully reccomend this story for children unless they have a true hankering for period adventure pieces.

A Thrill Not to be Missed
What a thrill it wasto read this book. Such adventure. I got it for my fourteenth birthday and I can't wait to read the second volume. Thank you, Mr. Lerangis. You're my new favorite author!

Antarctica...COLD,MYSTERIOUS,WHALES...
I think this book is great if you like a adventure based on history.this book is definately not the best adventure I've read but it's interesting though.3 stars.

Not for me
I don't care what the grown-ups say; this book was written for kids 9-12, so me being 12, I read it. It was horrible, gruesome, sad, gross, and I thought it had a strange ending. I'm sorry, but it just wasn't a great kid book. Adults may call it "deep and touching," but I'm sorry I ever read it. ... Read more

Book Description

Pirates will often carry their knives in their mouths, although the practice is frowned upon by the American Dental Association. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A great read for dads and sons...
My son is 5 and he asks me to read this one alot. We've read it all the way through several times and I'm sure we will some more. So Bleearrrggg and Shiver-me-timbers! Set sail for a fun time with your kids. A great book for little pirates and big ones too.

If this is a children's book, can I be a child again?
A couple years back I suffered an eye injury, and as a result I had to wear a drugstore-issue eye patch for a while. Now, when you're wearing an eye patch you find yourself answering a lot of questions. Understandably, I began to pepper my answers with words like "Aaaaaarrrggh" and "Matey."

So when Tom Lichtenheld's book "Everything I Know About Pirates" came out, I had to look into it - if only to pick up some tips about my new high-seas alter ego. I picked up a lot more than I'd bargained for.

Lichtenheld has produced a children's book predicated on the gleeful acknowledgement that he knows absolutely nothing about the subject at hand: pirates. But he forges ahead fearlessly with preposterous explanations of who the pirates are and what makes them tick. It's dopey, smart, hilarious stuff - that rare brand of humor that manages to make rather profound sense by throwing logic out the door. The brand of humor that's been proven effective at turning kids into masses of laughing jelly. The brand of humor that a lot of us grown-ups would do well to get back in touch with.

Lichtenheld not only wrote the book; he illustrated it, too. And the drawings are every bit the equal of the writing. Detailed, witty, filled with hidden jokes that reward repeated readings, they make "Pirates" a delight even for kids so young they wouldn't know a printed word from a soiled diaper.

In sum, "Everything I Know About Pirates" is like a mom or dad who can spin funny, wonderful bedime stories out of thin air, time after time. In other words, a rarity. If you have kids, you and they will both love it. If you don't have kids...well, this book might make you want to.

Forget the kids!
As a 45 year old Kindergarten teacher, I picked this book up over summer and had tears in my eyes I was laughing so hard! Lichtenheld's pictures are comical, too. I hope he writes many more "everything I know about..." books. I hope to have my students write 'everything I know' essays.

A boys favourite!
My 6 year old son thinks this book is wonderful. I recommend it for boys aged 5-9.

great read, even for adults
The older I get the more I enjoy childrens books, and I really enjoy them when they're intelligent, witty, charming, well illustrated and "Everything...Pirates" is all the above and more. From the intricately drawn end covers to the tiny comments hidden around the pages, this is a tour inside a child's mind of all those questions that needed answers about pirates. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Toy with history.
This treasure chest contained a surprising array of information and activities. My husband and I loved playing "King's Table" so much, we are now making our own board to go with the pieces. A good interactive introduction to Norse culture. Lynn Hughes' review of this product was very descriptive and accurate.

Viking treasures - game, ship, runes, history, and more!
This sturdy box comes with its own key and contains a delightful variety of Viking information and paraphernalia. There is a light cardboard Viking ship to assemble, a Hnefatafl game (a good board game for 2) with plastic pieces based on the Lewis chessmen, a sundial that needs to be calibrated for your location (directions included), cardboard runes and information about their use in divination, 2 posters (1 each on history and on mythology), and a small book that gives a good introduction to the Viking world. It's more than one rainy day's fun and should appeal to a wide age range. The board game is an excellent strategy game for all ages through adult and will be played long after the ship has disintegrated and the posters have lost their novelty. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

Historical Education
"The Encounter" written by Jane Yolen, is a historically accurate fiction. As a departure from the other writing style she shows, this book is not light-hearted, but rather a serious work written with an intention to educate. Of course, to keep the reader focussed and interested in a story that s/he may have heard hundreds of times already, some high drama is added.

The book leaves one with a slight over-all feeling of sorrow, but accomplishes its purpose. Read it, even if you decide not to own it. For a bit of a pick-me-up, re-read Jane Yolen's "Wizard's Hall" (very entertaining, even after four years of looking).

Fantastic for "walking a mile in someone else's shoes".
First found this book when I was student teaching. Such a powerful book, both to teach history/social studies and to see that every story has two sides. I've been in 2 classrooms since and have decided I can't live without this book.

Great, from the point of view of a Taino child
beautiful illustrations, lovely story, unique and unusual point-of-view. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

amusing combination of fiction and non-fiction
Emmadine. a cow, joins Admiral Byrd's 1933 expedition to the South Pole. Factual information about the South Pole is blended with the details of Emmadine's escapades, impressions, and adventures in the coldest place on earth. All the while she is collecting memories to tell to her "grandcows" when she gets home to the farm. ... Read more

Book Description

Precocious Patience Goodspeed, almost thirteen, hates to leave Nantucket and her treasured math tutor for a three-year whaling voyage. Patience's father, Isaiah Goodspeed, runs a tight ship. Between endless kitchen duty and run-ins with the motley crew, she hardly has time to learn navigation. But smooth sailing gives way to a rocky course: Soon suspicious mates come aboard and maroon Patience's father and brother on a deserted island. And Patience is faced with a problem that will take more than just brains to solve.

... Read more

Book Description

Illus. in full color & full-color photos. "The story of Apollo II's historic flight, from lift-off, through 'The Eagle has landed,' to splashdown and quarantine. Donnelly does a good job of setting the stage with chapters on the history of the idea of flight to the moon, astronaut selection and training, and look at the flight's effect on people in general."--School Library Journal. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

From a third grade reader in Goodyear, AZ, May 18th, 2000.
Moonwalk, The First Trip to the Moon, by Judy Donnelly and Dennis Davidson, was based on the United States Space Program in it's attempt to out do the Russian program. The U. S. wanted to put 2 men on the moon and after numerous tries and a few fatalities the U. S. Space Program succeeded. Apollo 11 was the first rocket to land on the moon. I found this book very exciting. I learned much about how the space program worked and what it took to get to the moon and back again safely. I encourage other young readers to read Moonwalk. It will inspire many readers as it did me to study more about the future of space travel and our space program. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Nice Read
The book is pretty fast, but has a lot of detail. I read it for a book report and it was great for that; the book is easily comprehensible and never confusing, but still interesting and keeping you on the edge of your seat. Recommended.

A 9th grade book review
This book is actually a sequel to the original book, Antarctica, Journey to the Pole. I did not read the first book, but it did not matter. By itself this is a really good book. I had studied Antarctica in school, but the author, Peter Lerangis, made me feel like I was there. He details such conditions as extreme weather, growing ice, and lack of daylight to really describe the true conditions on this continent.

The theme of this story is survival. It is the year 1910. The wealthy Horace Putney, wanting to achieve fame, financed a voyage to the South Pole. This story begins as the ship, Mystery, gets stuck in the ice of Antarctica. The crew tries to break the ice to free the ship. Eventually the side of the ship cracks from the pressure and the ship falls apart until it completely sinks. The men and their dogs get out onto the ice with their four lifeboats. They are in the middle of nowhere with barely any food or supplies. No one knows where they are. They decide to drag the heavy lifeboats across the ice back to the ocean. Some of the dogs died and some ran away, but the remaining dogs help pull the boats even though they are starving and tire quickly.

The reader must endure many chapters of suffering from exposure, cold winds, frostbite, darkness, lack of food, scurvy, and falling morale. However, the story is peppered with much heroism and bravery when some characters risk their lives to help the others. When one of the boats sinks, Captain Barth risks is own life by diving into the frigid waters to rescue a man. The man eventually died from hypothermia, but Barth manages to pull through. Through all of this, the characters continue to show determination and never give up hope.

I liked the way the author used Greek words along with his character, Kosta Kontonikolaos the dog handler. " Ta skylakia! Ta skylaki!" Kosta screamed. "The Dogs. They were out of control." " At least a half dozen had run away, becoming small dots on the horizon."

It isn't until the conclusion of the book that the story really picks up excitement. While most of this book is very realistic, a little unrealism in the final rescue helps add some drama. Some of the sensational events include rowing out of an ocean whirlpool, and a whale that smashes their small boat. You'll have to read the book yourself to experience the final, incredible rescue.

I especially liked the humorous postscript at the end of the story. The author lists what each character became when they returned home. For example, Horace Putney went on a luxury cruise aboard the Titanic. When it sank, he "jumped aboard a lifeboat, disguised as a woman. He perished while attempting to climb onto the rescue ship, slipping and falling back into the sea. He had never learned to swim."

Lerangis, the award winning science-fiction and mystery writer of the series, Watchers, is a Harvard graduate and obviously very smart. His use of nautical terminology and all of the genuine conditions of Antartica shows that he must have spent a lot of time researching the subject.

At the end of the book is a much appreciated glossary of terms. However, I missed having a table of contents to list the titles of the twenty-nine chapters. The last pages of the book also include a bibliography, and a list of web-page resources about Antarctica and the genuine explorers who first set foot there. I recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure and survival stories. Dress warm when you read this one.

Review of Antarctica Escape from Disaster
The book I read was called ANTARCTICA ESCAPE FROM DISASTER by Peter Lerangis. This book was exciting and adventurous. This book has many exciting parts such as being stuck in life boats during a raging storm and having to live in the Antarctic wilderness eating only penguins and if they were lucky a seal or walrus.The book has many different characters weich include the crew of the boat
All og the characters had their own unique personalty, which made the story more interesting.
The story is described in sections. Each chapter started with the name of a character, and each character told what it was like being in the Antarctic wilderness from their point of veiw. The book's setting is in the year 1910, and it takes place in a cave, a ship, life boats, a whaling ship in London. At times, part of the crew would get restless and start a muting against other crewmembers. This resulted in some of the crewmembers dying. This book was somewhat confusing at times because of the way the book was written in parts that were not continous. However, the way the book was written made it easy to pictue what the Antarctic wilderness looked like.
This book was a very good book and suggested for a reading level of 7th to 9th grade. I give this book two thumbs up and four stars.

Excellent Book!
This is an excellent book! I liked it better than the first one because of the humor; all the crazy conversations the crew has, Lombardo's songs, and Nigel's belief in the Yeti. Some other things I liked about it were: the crew and Captain Barth get bigger parts in this one than in Journey to the Pole, Kosta learns to walk without his toes, and Nigel and Philip both reform and end up being pretty nice poeple. I think everyone should read this book, even if they're older than the suggested age range.

The story of the ill-fated ship "The Mystery"
Imagine, if you will, you are on "The Mystery" when you are told to abndon ship along with 19 other people. That's what "Antarctica" is about. I recommend this to any one who wants to know this true story about Jack Wilson's expedition to Antarctica or anyone who likes adventure survival story. ... Read more

Book Description

Unable to cope with the financial ruin caused by the Great Depression, Frances's father has taken his own life. Sad and bewildered, Frances cashes in the railroad ticket that would have carried her to her aunt's home, trades in her dress for trousers and a cap, and hits the rails as a hobo called Frankie Blue. With Stewpot, another young hobo, as her guide, Frankie learns to sneak on and off trains, find food, and protect herself. Then Stewpot gets sick, and Frankie realizes that the reality of life on the rails is far different from her romantic notions.

Reviews (10)

This makes the top of my favorite book list!
This was a thrilling story that I could not put down. I have read this book many times and never grow tired of the captivating story. This book places you in the time of the Great Depression as a young girl who wants to live life as a hobo. The main character (who's a girl),Frankie, sets out to try life as a hobo after her father kills himslef after losing his fortune on the stock market crash. This book has you live the life of a hobo and is very interesting. From hoppin' trains to working for food, it's all here in this great book. I highly recomend this to all readers older then 10. This book will win a special spot on your shelf, too!

Good Book
This book was a book that was about a young girl named Frankie who became a hobo after her father's death. This book was based in the Great Depression and painted a good image of what it must be like living back then. I liked how the writer always kept the reader interested. I did not like however how short it was I waish it would have been longer. For who choses to read this I give it a thumbs up. I would recommend any teacher to read it to their class just to explain the hardship of those times.

Deeply touching
This is a very interesting book. Lots of great characters, great details of the hobo life and the depression. Every detail was interesting.

Frances finds herself all alone in life after her father loses his money in the stock market crash and takes his own life. Junius, who worked for the family, told Frances about the hobo life. When the family home is to be sold, Frances decides to take to the rails. What follows, is a very exciting life after Frances, now Frankie-a boy in disguise-meets up with Stewpot. Stewpot takes Frankie under his wing and teaches her the ways of the road. There are exciting adventures, with a grim touch of reality as Stewpot becomes seriously ill.

Read this book for an exciting look at another time period and another way of life. Get to know Frankie as she gets to know herself and the world around her while she travels across the country, only to find herself back where she began her journey, only a much wiser young person than when she started out. The twists and turns the story takes will surprise you, as will the ending.

Can't Put the Book Down or Call Anywhere Home
Nowhere to Call Home takes you into a wonderful world of excitement. Main character, Frances, finds out she is suddenly poor and an orphan. Frances doesn't want to have to go to her aunts house and live with her. She is afraid that nothing will be the same. This books tells how she becomes a hobo and meets many friends. Her first friend on the road, Stewpot comforts her. Frances lies and changes her name to Frankie and acts like she is a boy. When Stewpot gets sick Frankie doesn't know what to do. Will Frankie face her fears and save Stewpot before it is to late? Will she tell Stewpot about her secrets? To find out and see what Franikie ends up doing read Nowhere to Call Home.

A Hook Book
Read this exciting adventure now. Follow the adventures of Stewpot and Francis traveling across the country as hobos would. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Read Pedro's Journal
Pedro's Journal, written by Pam Conrad, is about a boy who loved the sea. He went out to sea with Christopher Columbus to find the new land. The captain thought he would be useful because he can read and write. He goes back and forth from ship to ship each day. The weather is terrible. The storms are on and off. Finally they get there. They find that the Indians are very useful. So they bring some Indians aboard. It took them longer to get back to Spain. Finally they get back to Spain. The last place Pedro is seen is when he is walking up toward his mother's house. I would recommend this
book to a friend.

An Outstanding Traveling Novel
Pedro's Journal by Pam Conrad is a heartwarming story about trust. Pam really brought out the characters by using lot's of detail.

Pedro is a boy who went sailing with Christopher Columbus. He's the only person on the ship who knew how to read and write.

Pam kept you reading by her creative chapter endings. She changed font and size when writing about what the characters were saying and thinking.

Anyone who reads this book will say it's hard to put down. Don't miss this good chance to read this outstanding book.

Pedro's Journal for 5th grade Class
Pedro's Journal was read by my 5th grade classes to learn more about Christopher Columbus and his journey. It was perfect for a class of mixed ability readers, it's history was well researched, and it engaged the students. We used it for a Literary Circle book. I highly recommend it for Social Studies, Language Arts, or an example of journal writing.

Bringing Columbus' voyage to life for students
I read selections of this book out loud to my fifth grade Hispanic students who were intrigued with the young sailor and his experiences. It lent a "you were there" aspect to the study of history and it provided a model of diary style writing. This book was recommended by our history series. ... Read more

Book Description

The swashbuckling story of Bjarni, a Viking swordsman.

Banished from his home as a boy for a murder he didn’t intend to commit, Bjarni takes up a new life as a mercenary. He journeys to the islands off the west coast of Scotland and there his life is shaped for years to come. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Not just for kids.
I helped my twelve year old choose this book to read. He found it humorous when I started reading it. "It's a book for Young Adults", he said. That was funny for several reasons, including the fact that he considers himself a young adult.

The book really is not just for kids. This is the first exposure I've had to Sutcliff. I was very pleasantly surprised to find the high quality of her writing to be focussed on kids.

This tale, wonderfully written, tells of a young man and a bad decision. It is a terrible decision in which some one dies. The treatment of the murder is very light. That may be the one criticism that I have for the story. Today, of all days, our kids need to know the very serious consequences of their actions. The setting of this story is far removed from our own, and is probably the way it would have been.

Through the life events and challenges resulting from the accident, Bjarni becomes a man. He learns the hard way how to do just about everything. This forging process helps him to grow physically and mentally.

This is a good story. There is a little death, a little love, and a lot of life. ... Read more