Can You Survive Antarctica?: An Interactive Survival Adventure

Can You Survive...

by Rachael Hanel

You are surrounded by the vast, unforgiving landscape of the coldest place on Earth Antarctica. Even during the summer months, bone chilling cold, raging blizzards, and treacherous ice threatens human survival. Will you, Join the race to be the first to reach the South Pole? Attempt to ski across the continent as part of an all female expedition? Study Antarctic plant and animal life as a scientist at a research station? Experience the life or death dilemmas of a place few people ever see. YOU CHOOSE what you'll do next. The choices you make will either lead you to safety or to doom.

Genres: Nonfiction, Middle Grade, Adventure, Choose Your Own Adventure

112 pages, Library Binding

First published August 1, 2011

About the author

I'm a writer and associate professor of creative writing in southern Minnesota, where I was born and raised. WE'LL BE THE LAST ONES TO LET YOU DOWN is my first book for adults. I have written more than 20 books for the children's educational market. My book, NOT THE CAMILLA WE KNEW: ONE WOMAN'S PATH FROM SMALL-TOWN AMERICA TO THE SYMBIONESE LIBERATION ARMY, is forthcoming in December 2022 from the University of Minnesota Press.

Reviews

[Steph]

"Many adventurers have traveled to Antarctica. Survival in this wild place poses an exciting challenge. Sadly, many people have gone to Antarctica and have not returned. But many others have traveled there and have returned to tell their stories of adventure. Those stories inspire others to do the same thing. Perhaps they will inspire you. With enough knowledge and preparation, you may have what it takes to survive Antarctica."

Real life: I survived Antarctica.
This freaking awesome You Choose book: I died of hypothermia quite quickly.

Seriously. Amazing.

[Ammie]

J and I have been reading through this independently as we read through our arctic survival books as a duo. ♥️

[Colton Fairchild]

First, this story was about how people on an expedition in Antarctica had to survive. I like this story for 3 reasons. 1. I love Interactive adventure books there probably my favorite. 2. the theme was really good, the cold arctic tundra that could take your life in seconds and how people survived it. 3. The cold arctic tundra of Antarctica is a harsh environment and without the right supply's a person could die almost instantly.

[Sherri]

I ordered this one for my high school library because I had a student ask me earlier this year if we had any You Choose Adventure books where you determine your own fate. I think reluctant readers (or readers who like outdoor survival) will enjoy this book. I think Hatchet readers will like it. It's a quick, fun read full of great facts at the end.

[Lady reading under the Willow]

This was a fun read-aloud. We took turns making the choices, and doubling back to take alternate paths whenever we'd finish one. We got to decide whether we would be explorers from 100+ years ago, modern explorers, or present-day researchers living and working on Antarctica. We learned about some real-life explorers, found out what to do (and NOT do) for frostbite, and died several times...just because we explored every available option to see what would happen. Since we have cold-weather experience, we knew what most of the wise choices looked like. ;-) Nevertheless, I don't think anything could prepare a person for Antarctic blizzards. It's almost unbelievable to think of the wind speeds howling well above 100 mph...on a regular basis. Yikes!

[Kim]

This book was my son's first interactive book to read. He loved choosing different paths to survive Antarctica through four different chapters. He learned survival skills, the history of Antarctica and its explorers, and make good choices. The pictures in the book helped visualize the decision that the reader choose; frostbite, plane crash, and blizzards.

[Sally]

Part one includes an introduction to Roald Amundsen of Norway and Robert Falcon Scott of Great Britain and their race to the South Pole. The book gives an idea of what the members of each team may have faced.

The books addresses the dangers of this inhospitable place.

[Ali]

This book is awesome! You get to choose your own paths to try and survive Antarctica!

[Alex]

I liked this one overall, but so many of the choices led to the exact same outcome, so that was kind of annoying.

[Mari]

This series of you choose books are great!!

[Rebecca]

This was a fun take on Choose your own adventure. The kids knew a few things about frostbite and blizzards, so they knew which choice to make on a few of the situations.

[Jenni]

I've taught teenagers about Antarctica and finding appropriate and interesting resources for the student's to develop their knowledge outside of the classroom is difficult. Can You Survive Antarctica? is set to change all this. It is an 'interactive book', which means that children and teenagers can choose their own path through the book by reading different pages, leading to different endings. It adds an element of fun and game play, which hopefully will encourage them to continue reading. There are three paths "early explorer", "modern day adventure" and "living and working in Antarctica". All paths combine aspects of history and geography, and often include elements of science and survival skills.

The book begins with a general chapter discussing what Antarctica is like, with key geographical facts such as average temperatures which makes this book an excellent source of information for project work/homework. It then asks the students to choose which path they would like to follow. The story like style of the book, and the elements of danger, will distract children from the fact that it is a non-fiction book. Offering choices, such as the choice between the better equipped Scott expedition or the more experienced Amundsen expedition, helps promote students problem-solving and critical thinking skills. After finishing all three paths, readers will have a well-rounded knowledge of the history and geography of Antarctica, and what life is like living there.

The layout of the book is clean and modern, shaking off the image of boring non-fiction books. This clean, modern feel is replicated in the pictures and maps chosen, which, in the main, are colourful and appealing. In terms of reading age, it is generally appropriate for KS2-KS3, in my opinion, which is ages 7-14, however some words, by necessity, are more difficult, and KS2 and low ability KS3 students may struggle with them, although there is a very good glossary provided in the back of the book.

As an educator, the book provides a quiz and further information sources, which should consolidate and extend learning.. However, the quiz is more focused on survival skills, and is not useful for assessment, and the 'Read More' section could have been longer to provide a greater selection of paper based resources. The FactHound code, used to produce a list of verified, trusted websites, is an excellent idea, as it will give parents/educators the peace of mind that their children/students are getting reliable, appropriate information from the internet.

Overall this is an excellent book where learning takes place almost by accident. From a parents/educator's point of view, it is a well-researched, non-fiction book that will keep children and teenagers engaged and entertained while they are learning. For children/teenagers, I believe they will enjoy the choices given and the style of the writing, which makes it read more like a fiction book rather than a non-fiction book. A must have for any school or public library!

[An advance reading copy was provided by Capstone Press]

[Tessa]

Apparently I can. This was a fun read though many of the choices were obvious ("Do you want to travel with Amundsen or Scott?"), though that might just be because Antarctica is one of my things. I read every option.

[Sarah]

I liked this better than the one on the Titanic, it is an under developed area and this is a nice combo of history and adventure.

[Junessa]

A nice historical story with choose-your-own paths. Good for older elementary ages.

[Terri Pray]

Library challenge book - fast read. Choose your own adventure but one that teaches. One I'd recommend to 5-8th graders.

[Karen Arendt]

A fun and interactive story, though some of the choices in the story lead to gruesome ends.

[Miguel]

It's hard to survive but it's a good book.

[Nicholas]

it was amazing.......ley hard but good

[Martha]

An exciting "Can You Survive" adventure, the interactive sections on early Antartic explorers, and researchers living and working in modern day Antartica are particularly fascinating.

[Kevin Gusdorf]

Interesting!

[Kevin Baeza]

I really liked it and i love how it is a multiple choice book.