By G. Neri
Illustrated by Corbin Wilkin
Candlewick, 2024
92 pages
978-1-5362-2332-3
Ages 8-11
This dynamic account of author G. Neri’s 7-week venture to Antarctica blends a lively first-person narrative with abundant photographs and other visuals, including cartoonlike illustrations. Neri made the trip as part of the National Science Foundation’s Artists & Writers program. His sense of curiosity and wonder is palpable as he describes his trip, including the environment of Antarctica, living accommodations for surviving and thriving, the people he meets and the work they are doing, and other topics. Scientists, engineers and others he gets to know are conducting experiments about the earth in the past, the earth today, and even outer space. The author’s penchant for list-making (e.g., Things You Will Find in Antarctica, Things You Won’t Find in Antarctica, Critters of Antarctica, Toilets of Antarctica—really!—and others), is one of many entertaining elements, while his reflections on being Black in a place of so much white—and so much unexpected color—offer moments of thoughtful reflection. The back matter includes an author’s note, “Facts and Stuff,” and “Big Questions about Antarctica.” ©2025 Cooperative Children’s Book Center