Gr 6 Up-When their ship, Endurance, became icebound in Antarctica and sank in 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton and his 27 crewmen were 100 miles from land. Unbelievably, they all survived. At first, the men played on the ice to kill time, but after Endurance sank, they took to their life boats, and spent a year and a half traveling over ice, water, and mountains to reach safety. Taylor Mali's narration of the book by Jennifer Armstrong (Crown, 1998) is riveting, and his shifts from one accent to the next are effective and not at all distracting. The text moves from diary entries to explanations of how to read the sun, and the descriptions of the terrain and weather are superb. This is a very effective presentation of not only how the disaster occurred, but of the toll it took on the crew and how they rose to the challenge.- Christine Moesch, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, NY Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

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

This adventure story of survival against all odds in one of the harshest environments on the planet is told in swift, stirring prose by Armstrong, a children’s book author; it’s an ALA Best Book for YAs, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book, and the recipient of many other honors. An exceptional work of nonfiction for all libraries serving YAs.”

Ernest Shackleton’s 1914–1916 Antarctic expedition was, in Armstrong’s words, ‘one of the most incredible feats of survival ever recorded.’ Her captivating, complete account, which identifies and tracks practically every crew member and liberally employs quotes from crew diaries, will find an audience with the detail-oriented, want-to-know-it-all kind of reader.”

Armstrong takes this material and makes an equally spectacular read. The ‘Boss’ and his crew come alive in one amazing event after another…This is an adventure to keep any kid or grownup awake late into the night, shivering from the cold and turning pages.”

Armstong’s vivid biography of Shackleton and his crew is brought to life by Taylor Mali. Excerpts from diaries and newspaper accounts, which flesh out this incredible adventure of survival in the harshest environment on the planet, are read in distinct accents by Mali…Mali’s intense narration drives listeners of all ages to experience the severe weather, lack of food, and incredible demands of exploration and survival.”

Armstrong paints a vivid picture of the ordeal.”

Armstrong…brings her considerable story-crafting talents to this real-life tale. The inside of the ship becomes so alive that we can smell its fetid air, we can hear the coins clank as the men play cards at night, and we can taste the spirits they drink after they shout their usual toast, ‘To our sweethearts and wives—may they never meet!’ How do they get off the ice? The story will leave you breathless…In this age of fantastical music videos, extraterrestrial fantasies, superheroes with bionic powers, and intricate computer games, it’s refreshing to hear the story of a real-life adventure and to meet twenty-eight extremely brave people. This team of men, without computers or radios or any sophisticated equipment, survived ‘the most hostile environment this side of the moon.’ Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World will both humble and inspire teens who thirst for excitement. Jennifer Armstrong makes history come alive more vibrantly than any virtual-reality game.”

ORBIS PICTUS AWARD WINNER FOR OUTSTANDING NONFICTION • ALA BEST BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTS • BOSTON GLOBE–HORN BOOK HONOR BOOK • A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

★ "A book that will capture the attention and imagination of any reader." —School Library Journal, starred review

★ "Armstrong's absorbing storytelling, illustrated with dramatic black-and-white photographs, makes this an enthralling adventure." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

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

"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." —Kirkus Reviews

If you think it’s cold this winter, imagine being trapped from 1914 to 1916 on ice floes in Antarctica with barely enough food and too few tents and sleeping bags. Armstong’s vivid biography of Shackleton and his crew is brought to life by Taylor Mali. Excerpts from diaries and newspaper accounts, which flesh out this incredible adventure of survival in the harshest environment on the planet, are read in distinct accents by Mali. Maps showing the travels of ship and crew on the audiobook cover help illustrate the extent of this trip. Mali’s intense narration drives listeners of all ages to experience the severe weather, lack of food and incredible demands of exploration and survival. M.B.K. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine