Mrs Thorne recommended ‘White Darkness’ by Geraldine McCaughrean, I’m enjoying it at the moment and would make great reading for students and teachers studying Antarctica. For students it is a way Antarctica is represented in popular culture. The story revolves around Sym, a somewhat troubled child who is an expert in Antarctica, even more troubling is her imaginary friend, Captain Oates. Sym goes on a trip to Paris with her eccentric Uncle Victor, but the trip takes an interesting turn as the trip destination is not France, but Antarctica. There the adventure begins, Sym’s knowledge of the environment and the experiences of Captain Oates prove invaluable.
There are some great descriptions of the environment in the book
Also a nice quote from Victor about teachers, including Geography teachers…
‘What teachers don’t understand is that the body of learning is still growing. They reckon it stopped the day they came out of College.’
Popularity: 34% [?]
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Have you finished this? What did you think? I’ve just got it from the school library today after an English colleague recommended it. The librarian pulled a face when I asked her about it though - she wasn’t too keen!!
Yeap, I’m a book a week man
I did enjoy it, but some of the kids, boys, weren’t too impressed when it was part of the Carnegie Medal selection. I think because of there being a female lead and some love interest, but I found it a good read and there are some nice insights in Antarctica.