Polar Boy
Date Read: 2/06/09 – 3/06/09
By Sandy Fussell
Publ: Walker, Newtown,NSW, 2008 203p
Summary: Iluak and the people of his village are moving across the Arctic for the Summer to hunt whales. Iluak spends his time waiting for Nana’sprophecy to come true. His grandmother is the village shaman. The prophecy says he will meeting the bear because he has something the bear wants and the bear has something Iluak needs. Iluak survives a drop into an icy seal hole and makes his first Caribou kill, but it is the coming of the Northmen which is the ultimate test.
Comment: This is a great way to learn about the culture of the Arctic peoples. The wonderful descriptions of the whale hunt and their nomadic movement with the constant need to build new housing. Highlights the concept of only killing to survive and the deep connection to nature and its impact on teir day to day lives. The plot is beautifully threaded through the eents with us anticipating the meeting of Iluak and the bear. Great secondary characters. Finn his best friend of few words but deep thinking, Iluaks’ sister Miki and the boyhood rival, Tuaq, the new shaman.
Rating: 8/10
Mrs B
1 comment July 21st, 2009
