A Search for the Northern Lights

by Elizabeth Rusch, Izzi Rusch, Cedar Lee (Illustrator)

Overview

A mother-daughter story of an adventure-filled search for the amazing aurora borealis.

Alix and her mom are fascinated by the nighttime light displays in the sky known as auroras, or northern lights, but being able to see them in person proves to be more challenging than expected. Where do they appear? When? How could Alix and her mom get there to see the auroras before they disappear from the sky? Inspired by the authors’ own experiences, A Search for the Northern Lights brings the reader along on a fascinating journey as Alix and her mom eagerly learn what auroras are and how to find them. The book also includes science and more information on auroras, plus a helpful guide for those hoping to catch their own glimpse of the incredible northern lights.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781513262901
Publisher:	West Margin Press
Publication date:	04/14/2020
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	405,089
Product dimensions:	10.10(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Elizabeth Rusch is an award-winning author, magazine writer, editor, writing teacher, and speaker. She has written more than a dozen acclaimed children’s books and has a passion for science and natural history. She currently lives in Portland, Oregon.

Izzi Rusch chased the northern lights with their mother Elizabeth Rusch and was so inspired by the experience that it led to cowriting their first book. Izzi attends school in Portland, Oregon, and is passionate about science.

Cedar Lee discovered art at a young age, selling her first paintings at age 12 and holding her first solo show at 16. Today her work can be found internationally in galleries, private collections, and even on buildings. She finds most of her inspiration from nature and enjoys painting in her backyard studio in Portland, Oregon.

Editorial Reviews

02/01/2020

K-Gr 3—In this informational picture book, a young girl is fascinated with celestial phenomena. After watching a solar eclipse, Alix yearns to also witness the beauty of auroras. The child does her research and learns where the best viewing spots are in the world. Science facts are straightforwardly conveyed: "Auroras erupt in 27-day cycles. The new moon is coming up, too. That makes it dark, and even easier to see." Alix jumps at the chance to join her mother on a trip to Alaska, and together they look for the "nighttime rainbow." Although rainy weather prevents them from seeing a full display, the sky-watchers catch a glimpse of a spectacular "green glow" and hope for more sightings. They also take a road trip to Montana's Glacier National Park. Lee's acrylic illustrations show swirling Northern Lights and birch trees below bathed in deep purple and blue luminosity. Back matter provides further scientific information, along with a "Step-by-Step Guide to Aurora Hunting." VERDICT A STEM-worthy addition to collections.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ont.

School Library Journal

2019-12-18
A young girl and her mother chase the aurora borealis.

After viewing a solar eclipse, Alix worries that she'll never see anything so wonderful again. Her mom's passing comment that auroras are "pretty cool" gets the girl researching, and before long, she's managed to tag along on her mom's Alaska work trip (Alix pays for her own ticket). The two pet a reindeer calf (though its antlers indicate it's at least 3 years old in the illustration) and go dog sledding, but they see only a faint green glow in the sky. Undaunted, they visit Glacier National Park, where they see a green arch overhead, but it's right in their own Pacific Northwest neck of the woods that they see the spectacular light show they longed for, aided by an app that sends out aurora alerts. Unfortunately, the vast majority of science facts are found only in the dense, text-heavy backmatter, which explains the science behind eclipses and auroras, describes how to hunt for them and the best conditions for seeing them, and provides further resources. Lee's nature scenes can be luminous, the colors at their best seeming to glow on the pages and beckon readers in. In contrast, the indoor scenes and views of the white-presenting mother and daughter can be awkward and pull readers out of the wonder that is the great outdoors.

A mixed introduction to the aurora borealis that nevertheless may have readers itching to start hunts of their own. (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews

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