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Arctic Son
In this stunning tribute to the Arctic and its inhabitants by the celebrated author of "Julie of the Wolves, " the warmth of the Inupiat Eskimo culture shines through. Full color.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
2 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Jean Craighead George
186Ìýbooks1,389ÌýfollowersJean Craighead George wrote over eighty popular books for young adults, including the Newbery Medal-winning Julie of the Wolves and the Newbery Honor book My Side of the Mountain. Most of her books deal with topics related to the environment and the natural world. While she mostly wrote children's fiction, she also wrote at least two guides to cooking with wild foods, and an autobiography, Journey Inward.
The mother of three children, (Twig C. George, Craig, and T. Luke George) Jean George was a grandmother who joyfully read to her grandchildren since the time they were born. Over the years Jean George kept one hundred and seventy-three pets, not including dogs and cats, in her home in Chappaqua, New York. "Most of these wild animals depart in autumn when the sun changes their behaviour and they feel the urge to migrate or go off alone. While they are with us, however, they become characters in my books, articles, and stories."
The mother of three children, (Twig C. George, Craig, and T. Luke George) Jean George was a grandmother who joyfully read to her grandchildren since the time they were born. Over the years Jean George kept one hundred and seventy-three pets, not including dogs and cats, in her home in Chappaqua, New York. "Most of these wild animals depart in autumn when the sun changes their behaviour and they feel the urge to migrate or go off alone. While they are with us, however, they become characters in my books, articles, and stories."
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 20, 2019
Life in the far North intrigues me. Survival in a land where darkness reigns for part of the year and temperatures plunge below freezing for much of the year poses challenges that I can only imagine.
As a child, I didn't study 'Eskimos,' but I did know that they lived in a land of snow and ice and polar bears. Their houses were igloos. This book would have given me more complete and accurate information.
It's listed as fiction, but it's mostly factual. Even the young boy is based on JCG's own grandchild.
As a child, I didn't study 'Eskimos,' but I did know that they lived in a land of snow and ice and polar bears. Their houses were igloos. This book would have given me more complete and accurate information.
It's listed as fiction, but it's mostly factual. Even the young boy is based on JCG's own grandchild.
December 6, 2021
Arctic Son by Jean Craighead George is a read aloud book about a young boy living in the Arctic. He lives in an Inuit Eskimo village (or very close to one). The story follows his journey for a few years as he learns about he Inuit culture, but is presented as each step from the long summer days until the dark days of winter until the sun reappears. The story highlights the beauty of the culture and the land that so many people presume is stark and uninhabitable.
Arctic Son is a fun read aloud that helps young children explore the word of the Arctic in an interesting and thought provoking way.
Arctic Son is a fun read aloud that helps young children explore the word of the Arctic in an interesting and thought provoking way.
September 12, 2019
2.5 stars -- Evocative illustrations introduce a place and way of life that will be completely unfamiliar to many readers. This book will impress upon you the incredible range of environments human beings can survive in, as well as the cultural values that go along with these.
Humane families are likely to wince at the image of a bleeding, harpooned whale dragged upon the ice. There are also plenty of references to the many ways the Eskimo culture uses the Arctic wildlife. On one hand, this is an example of an environment in which human beings genuinely rely upon the consumptive use of animals to survive--something that isn't the case for the majority of audience reading this book, for which harming animals is more about convenience and inertia rather than true need.
The many ways humanity uses to rationalize and ritualize its use of animals, seen here in the whaling ceremony, might make some good conversation for older kids.
Humane families are likely to wince at the image of a bleeding, harpooned whale dragged upon the ice. There are also plenty of references to the many ways the Eskimo culture uses the Arctic wildlife. On one hand, this is an example of an environment in which human beings genuinely rely upon the consumptive use of animals to survive--something that isn't the case for the majority of audience reading this book, for which harming animals is more about convenience and inertia rather than true need.
The many ways humanity uses to rationalize and ritualize its use of animals, seen here in the whaling ceremony, might make some good conversation for older kids.
December 3, 2018
This book is a fiction picture book that would be recommended for ages five and up. I gave this book a three because even though the paintings in this book were beautiful and learning about the arctic culture was interesting. I think the plot would be hard for children to read fluently without some kind of confusion. I do think it would be good to rea to learn about other cultures though.
June 21, 2019
Read this for our study of Alaska. It showcased how the native people still live in the northern region near the arctic circle. It contained a lot of Inupiat native language so it would have been very helpful if book included a pronunciation guide. Very awkward reading when you have no idea how to pronounce many of the foreign words!
December 27, 2017
Journey into the day to day life of a little boy growing up in the Arctic Circle, learning about Eskimo ways.
January 21, 2021
A little dry for young children (did not really keep my kids� attention - ages 4 and 6) but offers great insight as to what it would be like to live in the Arctic.
January 25, 2021
An educational piece on Eskimo life along with the animals.
March 2, 2022
Good, educational and interesting story set in the Arctic amongst the Inuit culture. The art is absolutely gorgeous.
April 12, 2022
An interesting read. But, a little too long and not entertaining enough to keep my children's interest.
December 5, 2012
This is the picture book story of a young boy born in the arctic. It follows him through a few years of his life. During this time, he takes place in many cultural activities of the arctic, such as receiving an arctic name, the celebration honoring the whale that had been killed for the people and all the ceremonies that took place in his town.
This book was quite wordy for a picture book and would be pretty difficult for a younger age group. The pictures were very bright and pretty but this book was not one that left a lasting impression on me. It was good, but definitely not one of my favorites.
September 7, 2016
It's a good story but I think a bit too long for a two year old to listen to fully. Plus I found it to drag on a bit as well. But it was a nice read.
November 22, 2008
Good story of a little boy who lives on the edge of the Arctic Circle. The reader learns a lot about the life of the Inupiat culture and the interesting things that make up the life of those that live life in the far north. This will be another Thanksgiving giveaway - I think to the Slussers. They will read and can pass along to others and Dan will appreciate the author's practical reference to firearms. They are absolutely necessary in this area. Interesting approach to whale hunting as this was made in 1997 - respect for the life by using every part of the whale.
June 17, 2009
My son and I enjoyed learning about this kid's life in Alaska. We knew very little about Eskimo or modern Alaskan culture, although my son knew way more about Alaska's climate and seasons than I did. We discussed several different cultural norms as a result of reading this together, and we both learned something new and interesting.
February 10, 2015
3.25 Stars A very interesting story about life in the Arctic. I know full well that I should not be in the Arctic in the winter. Even though I am not a sun worshiper I like having the sun rise and set each day. I would love to visit in the summer. Totally on the bucket list!!
February 22, 2015
When Luke is born, he is given an Eskimo name by a family friend who then teaches him how to live and respect their Arctic home. Detailed, realistic watercolor paintings accurately portray life in the Arctic, from the sweeping Northern Lights to a close up of a snowy owl.
June 10, 2016
Nice story highlighting a "day in the life" (or "seasons in the life") of a young Inupiat boy.
June 28, 2016
We read this to complement our Northern Native American history lesson.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
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