SHIPWRECK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD: THE EXTRAORDINARY TRUE STORY OF SHACKLETON AND THE ENDURANCE by: Jennifer Armstrong

Bibliography
Armstrong, Jennifer. 1998. SHIPWRECK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD: THE EXTRAORDINARY TRUE STORY OF SHACKLETON AND THE ENDURANCE. New York, NY: Crown Publishers, Inc. ISBN 0517800144.

Plot Summary
This book is about the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition led by Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton. The Trans-Antarctic Expedition was supposed to be the first expedition to cross Antarctica. Shackleton and his crew began the journey South in 1914 and were eventually trapped in the ice pack for nine months. After being stranded for nine months, their ship was crushed and sank. The crew was forced to set up camp on the ice, and they maintained this camp until the ice began to break up and they had to relocate to a new camp hoping that the ocean would carry them to or close to Elephant Island. When they realized this was not going to happen they set sail in life boats across the rough sea. The journey was treachorous and the men almost did not make it. When they did arrive on Elephant Island, Shackleton and four other men made the 800 mile journey to and across South Georgia Island. Finally, after a few months, Shackleton and his four man crew were able to make it back to rescue the rest of the crew stranded on Elephant Island. This journey is amazing because not only did they survive, but they ALL survived.

Critical Analysis
SHIPWRECK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD is an award winning (1999 Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children) informational book in the social history format. The author provides accurate information based on crew journals, maps, ship diagrams, photographs, and other Antarctic resources that are referenced in the text and listed in the bibliography located at the back of the book.

The book is organized like a journal. While each section is not specifically dated, it chronicles the expedition from the planning stages through completion in a storylike manner with many references to time. For example, Armstrong wrote, "November 21, 1915, brought an unforgettable evening" to reference the night the Endurance sank. By using specific details in short chapters that contain many illustrations, including photographs taken by the ship's photographer, the author has established this book as one for older children.

Review Excerpts
starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "A book that will capture the attention and imagination of any reader."
starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "Armstrong's absorbing storytelling, illustrated with dramatic black-and-white photographs, makes this an enthralling adventure."
pointer 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."

Connections
*Discuss the social impact of this book. How did the crew feel throughout the journey? What did it mean for the world when they were rescued and all were alive? Do you think any of this information could help others survive in the Antarctic? Etc.
*Discuss the format of the book and how the author combines dates and information. Have the students write a similar "book" about an event in their lives (complete with dates and photos).
*Have students research information from the book (ie the difference in seasons from your location and Antarctica, the weather, glaciers, how the ocean freezes, etc.) and have them give a short presentation. (This would also be a great way to introduce new citiation methods for this group).