Ice Trap! Shackleton's Incredible Expedition

Interest in Ernest Shackleton, the once forgotten Antarctic explorer, has revived of late. Here the story of the epic journey he made across the ice pack and by open boat to find the means to rescue his marooned crew is held up as an example of fine leadership and total loyalty to the team. Hooper evokes in strong images the cold, the hardship and the isolation faced by the explorers for children from about 8 years upwards. The landscape with its 'thick glaciers' and 'swirling clouds' is the background to a fast moving and dramatic story. M. P. Robertson's drawings not only show the icy landscapes but also reveal in the faces of the human beings the feelings they experience at key points in the story. The maps and annotated time line are helpful. Raw details like the necessary killing of the dogs and eating of 'fried seal' and 'penguin stew' do young readers the courtesy of avoiding a 'cosy' view of events. The book would make a welcome gift but would probably be best shared with an adult in the case of younger children. Often authors choose to give an account like this one in the first person - a device to draw a young reader in. Hooper does not take this option but still manages to absorb us - not least by careful use of direct quotation. We have the Captain's wonderful simile when Endurance is trapped in the ice: 'Frozen in like a nut in a chocolate bar'. In the classroom, there would be time to reflect on the inhospitable environment, on the human will to survive and on the language choices which make all this accessible. Perhaps above all we have in Shackleton an example of commitment to others. The skilful practitioner could use the book as a springboard to drama and writing.