Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Dec 2008
400 pages
Genre: Literary Fiction
Paperback Original.
Publication Information
Geraldine McCaughrean—two-time Carnegie Medalist for Where the World Ends and Pack of Lies—takes readers on a spellbinding journey into the frozen heart of darkness with this lyrical, riveting, and imaginative young adult novel.
Symone "Sym" Wates is obsessed with the Antarctic and the brave, romantic figure of Captain Oates from Scott's doomed expedition to the South Pole. In fact, Oates is the secret confidant to whom she spills all her hopes and fears.
But Sym's uncle Victor is even more obsessed—and when he takes her on a dream trip into the bleak Antarctic wilderness, it turns into a nightmarish struggle for survival that will challenge everything she knows and loves.
Michael Printz Award, 2008
"Lyrical language actively engages the senses, plunging readers into a captivating landscape that challenges the boundaries of reality…this imaginative novel offers plenty of action." - Booklist (starred review)
"Readers will find this a triply compelling tale: for its slow revelation of a deranged soul; for its young narrator, who turns out to be tougher than she or anyone else supposes; and for its wildly hostile setting, which quickly turns the secret expedition into a frantic struggle to survive." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"What makes the book truly stand out is Sym's unique personality... and, through it all, McCaughreen's inspired wordplay and powerful imagery." - The Horn Book
"...the ratcheting terror, thrilling double-crosses and gorgeously articulated star character -- Antarctica itself -- combine for a girl's adventure yarn of the first order." - Publishers Weekly
"This is an amazing work...there is no question that McCaughrean is a fine writer." - KLIATT
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Photo: Jenny Booth/Images Photographic
Geraldine McCaughrean has a very clever older brother named Neil. When she was young, everything he did, she wanted to do. So when, at 14, he had a book published, that became a great ambition of hers.
As she grew up, she went on writing - always and everywhere - never really expecting to get published. She did a lot of jobs - secretary, teacher, journalist, sub-editor. But she wrote as she travelled to and fro to work: it was her hobby. Now she stays home all day and writes. Sometimes she goes into nearby schools to talk about being a writer and play story-making games, and, of course, to find out what the really important people - the readers - are thinking. She has written about hundred and sixty books, mostly for children, some for adults; and sixty plus plays.
Nowadays, she has her ...
... Full Biography
Link to Geraldine McCaughrean's Website
Name Pronunciation
Geraldine McCaughrean: Muh-cork-run
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