Informational Text_Shipwreck at The Bottom of the World by Jennifer Armstrong

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Armstrong, Jennifer. 1998. SHIPWRECK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD: THE EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE OF SHACKLETON AND THE ENDURANCE. Photographs by Frank Hurley, Expedition Photographer. New York, NY: Crown Publishers. ISBN 0375810498.

2. PLOT SUMMARY
This book is an historical account of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition attempted by Captain Ernest Shackelton and his British crew of twenty-eight men—scientists and sailors. From 1914 – 1916, Shackelton and his crew succumbed to treacherous living conditions, both aboard the Endurance and off. When the hostile weather of the Antarctic eventually traps them in the frozen barren desert, Captain Shackelton and crew are forced to seek new measures to stay alive. Despite the adverse conditions and near death experiences, Shackelton and his crew survive.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The South Pole’s relentless weather and the men’s determination to conquer it, and stay alive in the process, make this informational text an intense nail-biter. The inconceivable events described by Armstrong become real because of the various cited diary entries—written by Captain Shackelton and his crew—the newspaper articles, and the vivid black and white pictures of the men and sceneries that were taken before, during, and after the death defying journey.

Armstrong’s structural organization allows for the text to flow from one event to the other. This technique builds up to climatic points. Her choice to sequence the events make comprehension of the text accessible; I never felt confused about the events. Furthermore, her writing style is clear and her descriptions are vivid. She takes the readers through the crews’ highs and lows.

In addition to the authentic photographs, Armstrong includes the architectural designs of Endurance and maps of the Antarctic. She plots the Endurance’s voyages and includes dates of departures and arrivals. All of these details are evidence of a thoroughly researched and well written book.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Winner of the Orbis Pictus Award
An ALA Notable for Children
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
Boston Globe~Horn Book Honor Book
Horn Book Fanfare
Publishers Weekly~Choice of the Year’s Best Books

Review in Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “Had enough of the Titanic tragedy? Then consider this fascinating real-life Antarctic account of survival against all odds.”

Starred review in KIRKUS REVIEWS: "This unbelievable story is enhanced by the vigorous prose; from the captivating introduction through the epilogue, it is the writing as much as the story that will rivet readers."

Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Filled with intriguing details and written with dramatic style, this riveting account of the ill-fated Trans-Antarctic Expedition reads like an adventure novel….A book that will capture the attention and imagination of any reader.”

Starred review in PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "Armstrong's absorbing storytelling, illustrated with dramatic black-and-white photographs, makes this an enthralling adventure."

Review in RIVERBANK REVIEW: “Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World is a book to finish in one breathless sitting, then dream about all night long.”

5. CONNECTIONS
*Use different media, such as virtual field trips and film, to become familiar with the Antarctic’s climate, living conditions, and food and water sources.

*Discuss inhabitants and vegetation of the Antarctic.

*Read books telling the accounts of the expedition by Endurance crew members:
THE ENDURANCE EXPEDITION. Told by the expedition Leader Sir Ernest Shackelton and Expedition Photographer Frank Hurley. ISBN: 0451198808
ENDURANCE. Told by Frank Arthur Worsley, Captain of Endurance. ISBN: 0393046842.

*View the film by George Butler, The Endurance, which is based on Caroline Alexander’s book, THE ENDURANCE: SHACKELTON’S LEGENDARY ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION. ISBN: 096577693x. The film is available on DVD from Columbia-TriStar Home Entertainment.