In this uniquely designed, two-sided book, readers will find themselves on both sides of the world-famous race to the South Pole. Follow the stories of polar explorers Robert F. Scott and Roald Amundsen as they each lead their teams on a daring and gripping adventure to Antarctica.
In 1910, Captain Robert Falcon Scott and the team of the Terra Nova embarked on an intrepid journey to Antarctica. Their mission: to explore uncharted lands, carry out important scientific work, and become the first people to reach the South Pole. There was just one problem—Scott wasn’t the only one with his sights on the Pole!
Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen had spent his whole life dreaming of polar adventure. After narrowly missing the chance to be the first person to the North Pole, he was determined to win the race to the South.
In this two-sided story, readers will follow one team’s journey before flipping the book to see things from the other side. This novel approach to storytelling encourages young readers to look at historic events from different perspectives, and to develop empathy and critical thinking as they face both triumph and tragedy in this remarkable true story.
Children’s author Alexandra Stewart expertly weaves together history, natural history, and STEM into an engaging narrative-driven tale, brought to life with beautiful artwork by illustrator Sarah Wilkins. The result is a suspenseful true story that continues to resonate today.
Reviews
With this account of two early-20th-century teams attempting to be the first to reach the South Pole, Stewart plays up the dramatic contrast between Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen’s arduous but successful expedition and the heroic but tragic saga of British Royal Navy officer Robert Falcon Scott, whose failure proved fatal to him and his team… Stewart’s narrative is vivid, fast-paced, and informative, while Wilkins’ artwork is clear, detailed, realistic, and engrossing, with labeled bird’s-eye and cross-section perspectives and maps that immerse readers in the surroundings… A visually arresting account of contending expeditions.
— Kirkus Reviews
The text describes the many challenges faced by both parties, providing enough description to give readers a sense of what it was like… The mixed-media illustrations bring life to the details of the story and will help keep readers engaged. The colors and movement in the art help to personify the teams’ struggles in the storms and their treacherous journeys… Young readers interested in exploration will enjoy learning of these intense expeditions that occurred without modern winter gear and technologies.
— School Library Journal
Contributors
Alexandra Stewart
Author
Alexandra Stewart is a nonfiction author for children. She trained to be a journalist and has worked as a press officer for the Metropolitan Police and Central Government in the United Kingdom. She is the author of Everest: The Remarkable Story of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay and Let’s Fill This World with Kindness: True Tales of Goodwill in Action. Follow her on Instagram @astewart_writes.
Sarah Wilkins
Illustrated By
Sarah Wilkins is an award-winning illustrator from New Zealand whose work includes editorial and children’s book illustration, posters, book covers, products, and environmental design. Follow her on Instagram @studiosarahwilkins.
