Ice Drift: A Gripping Arctic Tale About Brothers' Survival for Children

by Theodore Taylor

The year is 1868, and fourteen-year-old Alika and his younger brother, Sulu, are hunting for seals on an ice floe attached to their island in the Arctic. Suddenly the ice starts to shake, and they hear a loud crack--the terrible sound of the floe breaking free from land. The boys watch with horror as the dark expanse of water between the ice and the shore rapidly widens, and they start drifting south--away from their home, their family, and everything they've ever known.

Throughout their six-month-long journey down the Greenland Strait, the brothers face bitter cold, starvation, and most frightening of all, vicious polar bears. But they still remain hopeful that one day they'll be rescued.

This thrilling new adventure story from bestselling author Theodore Taylor is a moving testament to the bond between brothers--and to the strength of the human spirit.

Includes a map, a glossary of Inuit words and phrases, and an author's note..

Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Survival, Historical

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Reviews

[Christian McFadden · Rating 5 out of 5]

My name is Christian. I live in Barow Alaska, also known as Utquiaġvik in Iñupiaq. I chose to read this book as a part of my Iñupiaq Literature class. In this book Alika and Sulu are two Iñupiak boys raised in Nunatak, who go seal hunting on an ice floe that is attached to land. A big iceberg hits the floe jarring them loose. They are stuck on the floe for six months. They meet challnges of starvation, dangers from animals, extreme cold and the break up of the ice floe. I think this book should be read by readers insterested in Alaskan history and the outdoors.

[Max Lovelady · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was Ok. First they said seal skin was inedible, and 5 minutes later the were gnawing on it.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I enjoyed the story. I also appreciated the information conveyed about Inuit culture at that time (and I imagine in modified forms still today). However, some parts felt more non-fiction, information dumps than story. I am uncertain how I feel about those latter parts; the new information was appreciated but also paused the story along the way. On the other hand, there were smaller facts and information tucked into the narrative that worked quite well, providing the information without overwhelming the reader.

I generally enjoyed this read and will likely read other books by this author as I come across them.

Note: I gave this book a full review because this book was published by HMH Books for Young Readers .

I used to give full reviews for all of the books that I rated on GR. However, GR's new giveaway policies (Good Reads 2017 November Giveaways Policies Changes) have caused me to change my reviewing decisions. These new GR policies seem to harm smaller publishing efforts in favour of providing advantage to the larger companies, (GR Authors' Feedback) the big five publishers (Big Five Publishers). So, because of these new GR policies from now on I will be supporting smaller publishing efforts by only giving full reviews to books published by: publishing businesses outside the big five companies, indie publishers, and self-published authors. This book was published by one of these smaller publishing efforts so I have given it a full review.

[Randi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book in preparation for using it with my son for his homeschooling.

It gives a great look into the Inuit culture in the 1800s and what the environment and landscape/waterscape is like in the Arctic.

The story keeps you turning to see what happens to the boys and if they make it out of their predicament alive.

[Alex Rakita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a pretty decent book it had a acceptable story line. I'm saying it was amazing but it was pretty good for a simple book like this one.
The story starts off in 1868 with these to brothers that went to hunt for seals and on some ice and unfortunately some ice cracked and they drifted away they are very scared and they go on an adventure to find there home. Through this journey they face problems like to cold harsh weather and starvation. The fourteen-year-old Alika and his younger brother, Sulu still have hope that one day they will be rescued.
This book was very interesting for me because I like tense and harsh survival storys. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is look for a good book that doesn't a huge amount of pages but I doesn't have to little either. The downsides though are that it may get boring in some parts but that is still very rare other then this issue you should enjoy this book.(:

[Andrew Maushardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about how a boy and his younger brother were hunting for seals on an ice floe when suddenly it broke free from the land. They began to drift away rapidly and weren't rescued for six months. First, I liked how this book was based on a true story. In the beginning of the book it really shows how people who lived in the Arctic did things and their daily life. It also shows what would happen if someone were to get lost on the island. Secondly, I liked the plot of the book. It starts off with the boy and his family living their normal day to day life. Then it gets into how him and his younger brother get lost. Thirdly, I liked the character Alika in the book. Alike is fourteen years old and is the older brother. I liked Alike because despite his young age he had to act like an adult to help him and his brother get to safety. He had to protect both of them and fight off wildlife such as polar bears. Another thing I liked was the mood the author created. The mood the author created was very suiting to the book and the situations going on in the book. One thing I didn't like about the book was the resolution. It was a very generic ending and I think it should've had a better one. The brothers were saved by their parents and they ended up moving back to their home and lived happily. The theme of the book is to realize that sometimes you will have to step up in rough situations. Like Alike had to step up and protect him and his brother while they were lost.

[Brian Merritt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love adventure books of any kind. This is a story of 2 Inuit brothers lost and surviving in the Greenland Straight. I enjoyed this tale of Arctic wilderness survival. I think the writing techniques failed to create a lot of excitement, during very climactic events the writer did not take time to build suspense or write in a fashion that really created tension or excitement. But that is my only criticism, the danger is still very thrilling and the slice of Inuit culture is an interesting setting.

[Gwen Testa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, well-written, exciting, great insight into Inuit life
Taylor based the book on an item in “The American Practical Navigator” by Nathaniel Bowditch that he had been reading while training to be a third mate on a gasoline tanker in 1942- the story of Capt. Tyson and 18 others who were separated from a polar exploration ship in 1871 and how they had survived impossible conditions and were rescued 6 months later

[Mrs. Galway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contains a lot of details about Inuit life, beliefs, religion and the Alaskan environment. This would be great partnered with a non-fiction book or as part of a Social Studies/ Science study. The Inuit words and new vocabulary are explained well.
The action starts quickly in this book and continues throughout. The chapters are short, which makes it easier to read.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

That author based his story on a true story of 18 people who were on an ice drift for 6 months. His story only has two young boys who are left floating. They face many perils, starvation, freezing, falling into the water and drowning, and being eaten by a bear. It’s a good book. A quick read. It reminded me of Newfoundland and the stories I read about people stuck on the ice there.

[Daniel Jodzio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a story that was told very well and included plenty of moments where you could picture yourself in the situations within. The characters are interesting and the trials they are put through are used as learning experiences.

[Isabella Zhang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was filled with action and close calls. If you like books that have turning points, hope, and the will to live struggling to keep bright, this book is for you!

[Kit · Rating 2 out of 5]

historically questionable

[Kim Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot about Inuit life and as well as the arctic region, wildlife and biosphere. I was always waiting for the polar bear attack...it was very suspenseful!

[Molly Starewich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never read s book like this
Thought it was good

[Skylar · Rating 3 out of 5]

not enough detail it is more of an overview.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and well written but not as emotionally and relationally powerful as The Cay. Plus you can’t beat The Cay in audiobook form!

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads like a true story. Fascinating look into the lives of Inuit people.

[Joseph Simpson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a good ish book it has lots of verry exiting bits if you do not like dead things then do not read this book.

[Cala Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you liked Hatchet, you’ll love this book. Also, John Fairweather, you’d like this book, too. It’s the life you felt slipping away in Kwethluk.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of Inuit information

[Ranee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting adventure!

[Jessica Joines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book!

[Michel]

It's good book

[Rachel Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

so intriguing

It had me hooked from the start, and it only get better from there. You’ll be on the edge of you’re seat the entire time!

[John Majors · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read aloud to kids. Interesting story though kind of slow.

[Kati Polodna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tween me would have liked this. I have no idea why the arctic fascinates me, but it always has. Plus who doesn’t love a survival story?

[Seema M. Fazil · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Loved the bond between the brothers. <3

[Joann Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent historical fiction book based on a true story. It's going to be an excellent addition to our read alouds next school year. Injust wish there was a movie to follow it.

2 young boys stranded on an ice floe and trying to survive for 6 months with all the dangers that are on the floe with them.

[Peter N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theodore Taylor’s novel Ice Drift is about a 14 year old boy named Alika, his younger brother Sulu and their dog Jamka who were out hunting seals along an ice floe near their home island where their family and village is located. Suddenly in the middle of their hunting, the ice floe started rumbling and cracking, the ice floe started to drift away with Alika and his younger brother still on it. The villagers and their attempt to bring the both of them back to shore failed and they drifted far off away from their home leaving behind everything they ever knew. The two brothers and their dog ventured a 6 month journey through blizzards, bitter cold weather, deadly polar bears and starvation. However through their journey they did everything they could to survive, Alika cared for both himself and his little brother, in hopes that one day they will stumble upon land again.

This novel brings us a thrilling adventure, a book that will keep you wanting to read more. The style and tone of the book was pretty dark and unsettling, however at the same time the tone of the story was hopeful, it is demonstrated through the care and love that Alika gave to his younger brother, it is their attempted to stay alive and their care for each other is what kept the tone of the story hopeful. Another great thing about the book is it’s message, it shows that no matter what conditions you're in it is always the best idea to keep trying, and also that caring for others can sometimes help with your own situation and problems. The author did a great job delivering the story and message, the way it was narrated made it real, focusing a lot of details. Throughout the book, almost two stories were going on at once, one was with Alika and the ice drift, while the other was about their parents who are going on a wild goose chase trying to find their sons across the arctic seas. This cross story brought more attention to the world around them making the story feel alive, also putting on this stressfulness that is what's really going on. I definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a good action/adventure book.

Overall, I rate the book a ⅘. I believe that the story was dragged on for too long, the book went at a pretty slow pace, and could've been a bit more faster. Also the story seems a bit, “unrealistic”, as the whole story seems to be some miracle work but at the same time because of that very reason it made the story intriguing. The way the author incorporated the Inuit culture made the story feel a lot more realistic, it demonstrated their living styles and how they survive. The other also delivered the story and message very well, also the tone of the story was unique, how it was a dark and unsettling tone, yet at the same time the brother’s effort to care for each other and survive made it a very heartwarming and hopeful story.