Book Review - BODIES FROM THE ICE - TWU LS 5603 Assignment

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Deem, James. M.  2008.  BODIES FROM THE ICE: MELTING GLACIERS AND THE RECOVERY OF THE PAST.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.  ISBN 9780618800452

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

A 5,300-year-old body found in Italy, a 290-year-old body found in Switzerland, a 500-year old body found in Peru, several (sacrificial) children’s bodies found in the Andes, and a 150- to 300-year old body found in Canada.  What do these bodies have in common?  They were all discovered because of melting and receding glaciers.  Deem incorporates anthropology, archaeology, geography, glaciology, and history in this book that he took two years to research and write, which included traveling to visit exhibits, museums, and other sources.  He also spent time in Chamonix, France exploring glaciers in the area.  Along with the stories of these discoveries, Deem also gives the reader a peek into types of glaciers and their changing environments (global warming), people who dared to climb glaciers, and a few suggestions for helping the environment. Color photographs, lithographs, historical paintings, and archival photos of postcards, souvenir booklets, and magazine/newspapers compliment this enlightening account.  Deem completes his text with a list of glaciers that can be visited, other websites to look into, a bibliography, illustration credits, and an index.

AWARDS

2009 Robert F. Sibert Informational Award Honor Book
2011 Prairie Pasque Award Winner
2009 AAAS/Subaru SB & F Prize for Excellence in Science Books Finalist
Kirkus Reviews’ Best Children’s Books of 2008
Notable Book for Children 2009
2009 Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12
2009 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People
2008 New York Public Library, 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book 2009 (10-14)
CCBC Choices 2009
Takoma Park Maryland Library, Best Kids Books of 2008

Nominated for:
2010-2011 Young Hoosier Book Award (middle grades)
2011 Garden State Teen Book Award (Nonfiction Grades 6-12)

REVIEW EXCERPTS

LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTIONS: “This book is a treat to look at, but is also chock-full of enough text and factual information to be a great resource for research reports.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “When glaciers melt, things appear – like human bodies….the body was over 5,300 years old!”

SCIENCE TEACHERS: “Gripping stories are accompanied by highly informative expedition photographs”

HORN BOOK MAGAZINES: “Deem…continues his interest in mummified bodies…a tour of mummified bodies found in ice the world over….give us an intriguing peek into various cultures.”

BOOKLIST: “Individual chapters cover types of glaciers and why they are fertile territory for housing bodies…perhaps most fascinating for kids will be the chapter on recently discovered Incan children sacrificed to the gods…the pictures…are arresting”

KIRKUS REVIEW: “Once glaciers were popular tourist attractions; now they are in the process of disappearing from the face of Earth. So the book became a memorial to glaciers as much as to the fascinating people and objects that have been found in them.”

CONNECTIONS

Other Books to Read
Buell, Janet.  ICE MAIDENS OF THE ANDES. (Series: Time travelers).  ISBN 0805051856
Deem, James M.  BODIES FROM THE BOG. ISBN 0395857848
Kudalis, Eric.   ICE MUMMIES: FROZEN IN TIME. (Series: Mummies). ISBN 0736813071
Lauber, Patricia. TALES MUMMIES TELL. ISBN 0690043880
Prior, Natalie Jane. THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRESERVED PEOPLE: PICKLED, FROZEN,       AND MUMMIFIED CORPSES FROM AROUND THE WORLD.  Ill. and map by            Karen Carter. ISBN 0375822879

Lessons
Mr. Deem has two sites where you can locate his (copyrighted) ideas for writing activities, teachers guides, other stories, scavenger hunts, and study skills:http://www.jamesmdeem.com/index.htm
http://www.mummytombs.com/market/books/child/advpicturebooks/deem.icebodies.htm

Games, quizzes, and other fun activities can be found at:http://www.mummytombs.com/mummylocator/featured/kwaday.htm