Miss Pickerell Goes to the Arctic

Miss Pickerell #4

by Ellen MacGregor, Paul Galdone (Illustrator)

Miss Pickerell travels to the Arctic by snowmobile to rescue several scientists

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Juvenile

126 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1954

About the author

Ellen MacGregor (1906 - 1954) was an American author, primarily of children's literature. After a varied career in numerous libraries and publishing several well-received children's books, as well as numerous magazine articles, she died in 1954 at the age of 47.

MacGregor's goal was to provide fantasy literature with correct (for the time) scientific facts that would appeal to children. The first appearance of Miss Pickerell, her famous and quirky major character was in a short story, Swept Her into Space, published in Liberty in 1950. She expanded it to book length, published in 1951 as Miss Pickerell Goes to Mars, a science fiction novel for children.

Reviews

[Manuel Alfonseca · Rating 2 out of 5]

ENGLISH: In my opinion, this is the least interesting of the four books in Miss Pickerell series. It seems to me absurd and unnecessary that Miss Pickerell were abandoned in the middle of the arctic ices. Yes, I know that thus she can help the other expedition fulfill their research goal, but it's a contrived and unbelievable way of doing it.

ESPAÑOL: Este es, en mi opinión, el menos interesante de los cuatro libros de la serie de Miss Pickerell. Me parece absurdo e innecesario que Miss Pickerell fuese abandonada en medio de los hielos árticos. Ya sé que así ella puede ayudar a la otra expedición a cumplir sus objetivos de investigación, pero es una forma de hacerlo artificial e increíble.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the ingredients needed for a fun read are present and accounted for: One part quirky Miss Pickerell, one part being her knack for being at the right place at the right time (or perhaps you may think of it as the other way around!). Sprinkle with a little science learning, and wah la! You have a great read ahead!

It's a well written fiction with humorous characters, and both you and your kids will love the pieces of science that you'll gleam.

Ages: 6 - 12

Cleanliness: thank goodness, mercy, pooh, and good gracious are said. Mentions tens of thousands of years.

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[Lady Clementina ffinch-ffarowmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Pickerell finds herself part of a rescue crew (to rescue among others, a previous rescue team) heading off to the Arctic. Her nephew and niece’s radio skills come rather handy.

[Lisa Kucharski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story of a lady who has many adventures and makes many interesting acquaintances. I know that this is part of a series of books. This one is fun and focuses on the arctic giving a reader a quick glimpse into the arctic region. Lovely simple B/W illustrations as well.

[Beth Cue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute novel suited to upper elementary children. Written in 1954, the writing style and some expressions are a bit dated, but this does not impede enjoyment or understanding. It is a very progressive novel in the sense that it was STEM before STEM was a thing.
Miss Pickerell is a quirky, rather opinionated lady who is curious and caring. Through her arctic visit, we learn a lot about the arctic weather, ice sleeves, ice bergs, etc.
A classic novel that is part of a series that should not be lost due to the passage of time.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goofy fun to read aloud. Miss Pickerell is super into her cow and that drives her to go to the arctic on a madcap plane ride. Filled with basic facts about getting around an icy landscape and some wild adventure, this is just a fun middle grade book.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was a blast from the past

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really lovely little book. It was funny.

[Katharine Ott · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Miss Pickerell Goes to the Arctic" - written by Ellen MacGregor, illustrated by Paul Galdone and published in 1964 by McGraw-Hill, first published in 1961. A simple story with an outdated style, a classic for the time period.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss Pickerell has gone north to the Arctic circle to help the science center there. This is another opportunity for her to teach about the science that abounds in the frozen tundra. A great book.

[Youjia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a very funny book, also, it was very intelligent of Miss Pickerell. I enjoyed this book.