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VOYA
Johnson traces Ernest Shackleton's fascination with adventure and fame from his childhood in a rural home, through his commitment to a naval career as a teenager, his adult Antarctic expeditions, and finally to his death. The title and cover suggest a concentration on the Endurance. Four chapters describe this famous, character-defining expedition. The accounts of Shackleton's conflicts with his father, wife, and a fellow explorer establish his dedication to adventure. Trying to pack more topics into fewer pages, this biography presents the facts without the punch or drama of Jennifer Armstrong's Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World (Crown, 1998)-the story of the Endurance expedition that subordinates and omits details of Shackleton's personal life but emphasizes his ability to find financial backers for expeditions and to embrace fearlessly the spirit of improvisation characterizing early exploration. An excellent leadership model for teens, Shackleton is remembered for the optimism, bravery, and generosity that placed saving lives above personal ambition. None of his expeditions achieved its goal, but every member stayed alive. Johnson does not use anecdotes or background descriptions that communicate the phenomenal leadership required to save an entire crew trapped in a desperate situation. The text, smooth and clear, is suitable for classroom reports, but even with the mood-setting introduction, this book probably will not hook the independent reader. Index. Illus. Photos. Maps. Biblio. Source Notes. VOYA CODES: 3Q 2P M J (Readable without serious defects; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to9). 2003, Lerner, 112p,— Lucy Schall
Overview
This inspiring biography ...