To the South Pole

November 1, 2011

Gr 5-8-Lewis and Clark, Apollo 11, and other journeys are covered in detail, placing the excursions in their appropriate historical context, highlighting individuals involved in the expeditions, and providing firsthand accounts from historical documentation. The images are eye-catching, and the tone is conversational enough to keep readers engaged. The two weakest entries are those that deal with the Western exploration of regions already inhabited by non-Western people: American West and Heart of Africa. Because Bodden focuses narrowly, as is appropriate, on the expeditions, the books give a very Western point of view; thus, the cultures indigenous to the region being explored are minimized. Mount Everest is more successful in providing a culturally aware perspective, as it details both Nepalese Sherpas' traditions and their contributions to European expeditions up the world's highest mountain.

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2011
Grades 5-8 Ancient philosophers had speculated about the existence of a large southern land mass, with Aristotle giving it the name Anti-Arctos, or opposite the north. After summarizing these theories, this chronicle focuses on Roald Amundsen's 1911 exploration of the South Pole. The straightforward history covers the facts but not the excitement of the expedition. Fortunately, amazing photographs and full-page excerpts from journals add graphic interest. A title in the Great Expeditions series, this competent offering will satisfy those looking for school-report information, but look to other books to show them grandeur. A time line, a glossary, bibliographies, and an index are appended.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)