How to Survive in Antarctica

Bledsoe, Lucy Jane. 2006. HOW TO SURVIVE IN ANTARCTICA. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 0823418901 [Suggested Grade Levels 5-8]

REVIEW
Interested in traveling to Antarctica? Or just wanting to learn more about the continent? Then HOW TO SURVIVE IN ANTARCTICA is the perfect book. Having traveled to Antarctica three times, Lucy Jane Bledsoe uses her experiences to inform readers about the ice. She begins with survival techniques such as what to pack, how to build a snow shelter, what to eat, etc. She then proceeds to describe the three different areas of the continent, why people live there, the different animals and species that inhabit the regions, and how the physical land and weather varies by location.

Throughout the book, Bledsoe includes “adventures” of her own trips, like the storm that almost prevented the plane from taking off and sleeping alone at the Hotel South Pole. Boxes and sidebars are also used to supply more facts about Antarctica, “Challenges” describe mysteries and unknowns about the continents and “People” feature past and present explorers who made discoveries about the ice. Bledsoe finishes the book with a glossary of terms and a timeline. The combination of fact boxes, personal accounts, survival tips, and general information allows readers to vicariously experience the mysteries and adventures of Antarctica.

CONNECTIONS
Plan for a trip to Antarctica. Have readers decide where in Antarctica they would like to travel and what they might want to do there. Plan details such as transportation and cost and create a packing list and an itinerary for the trip. Encourage travelers to use other books about Antarctica while planning their trip south.

RELATED BOOKS
Other books about Antarctica:
Ownings, Jennifer. ANTARCTIC JOURNAL: FOUR MONTHS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD. ISBN 0060285869
Webb, Sophie. MY SEASON WITH PENGUINS: AN ANTARCTIC JOURNAL. ISBN 0618432345


By Mary D. Buckalo