You Wouldn't Want to Be a Polar Explorer!

You Wouldn't Want to Be ...

by Jen Green, David Antram (Illustrator)

A humorous look at the polar expedition of Ernest Shackleton.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Childrens, Picture Books, Geography, Adventure, Survival

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Jen Green is a British author of over 300 non-fiction books for children and adults. She earned a doctorate in English literature from Sussex University and became a full-time writer after a career in publishing. She lives near the Sussex Downs.

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but not the best of this series. It focused entirely on one particular expedition to Antarctica, and the trials and tribulations of that trip. Since that was one during the 20th century, the reader doesn't learn anything about earlier types of expedition or exploration, and in this case really learns little about what went wrong. Did they plan badly? Were they just unlucky? The reader doesn't learn that from this book.
Same thing for staying in the ship for so long, and the reasons they couldn't yell for help. Okay, so they didn't have a radio. Why not? Even if they expected to be too far from ship traffic while in Antarctica, what about the rest of the trip? Radios weren't always on ships, but it seemed like this was one that should have had a radio.
This was actually a pretty good book about Shackleton's expedition, but less informative about polar exploration in general.

[Duane · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a great series of books, but this one didn't impress me as much as the others. Although it follows the history of Polar Exploration, I feel the storyline just doesn't interest the reader. The illustrations are great, but I just think there's better books out there on this topic.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

SHACKLESTON'S POLAR EXPEDIATION
“Avoid Joining Shackleton's Polar Expedition: The Danger Zone”
****
This is a great book. Takes you right into the 'boat' with the crew. What a stressful and traumatic experience. This history lesson serves as a rare opportunity to learn more about this most remote of locations.
Arriving at the uninhabited Elephant Island on the Antarctic Peninsular: “It's been 497 days since you last set foot on land! Some sailors bury their faces in the pebbles, sobbing. Others giggle hysterically.” (p20). And this is far from yet being rescued!
- - -

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really, really love the tale of Ernest Shackleton and his unbelievable antarctic expidition aboard the Endurance. What an incredible tale of survival! This children's book about this event was remarkably well done--it captured the drama and the courage, the struggle and the triumph, but it was all presented in a way that was accessible and entertaining to kids. Just a great book for introducing kids to Shackleton and the Endurance.

[Kelly Carey · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book covered a very long period of time; however, it seemed like less than a year. The map at the end was very helpful, but I would have preferred the map to be introduced at the beginning of the book.

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is so fun and so informative that it has become a favorite of mine.i found this volume to be just as good a read as the ones I've previously read. Hope Scholastic continues to add titles to this series.

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was amazing! i mean.........................it was just crazy!it was so amazing that i rated it five stars!
nicholas andrew boyko

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first You Wouldn't Want To Be book.

[Lady Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting enough premise, but not as great as some of the other books in the series. Still, it should appeal to the target audience thanks to the great illustrations and touches of humour.

[Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is great for kids - exciting pages and facts galore.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrations/comics are entertaining, and there are plenty of small blurbs and "hints" to keep kids engaged who have a hard time reading a lot of text. However, too advanced for early readers.

[Laura (Reading is a Doing Word) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great fun, a mixture of facts and funny illustrations.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series meets National Curriculum Standards for: Science: History and Nature of Science Social Studies: Time, Continuity, & Change

[Meg McGregor · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a History Teacher for over 35 years, I believe that upper elementary and middle school students would enjoy this series of books.

The writing is informative but not in a lecture style! I like how the main character is the reader and the events keep the suspense throughout the story.

I also learned a few things myself! I love learning things from "children's books."

A. Volunteering for the expedition was a way for men to avoid fighting in World War I.
B. The men ate the organs of freshly killed animals to avoid getting scurvy - a disease caused by lack of Vitamin C.

[Alexyss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very excited when I came across this series in the library today and brought a couple home. This series fed my imagination and my love for history/ historical fiction as a kid. Very excited to find more and re-read my favorites from childhood! Like the few Egyptian books in the series.

[Wilde Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief account of a famous expedition.

Some of the hardships the men survived were chilling, but this book was too short.

Reading time approximately thirty minutes.

[Laura The Book Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love all the "You Wouldn't Want to Be..." books

[Cristine Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A chilling historical event…..the exploration of Antarctica.

[Anuj Tandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good non fiction book. For it to be at least four stars it would need to be longer.

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the humor in history it gives

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. Everything is explained to make young and old enjoy reading this and learning.