Napoli, Donna Jo. North.NAPOLI, Donna Jo. North. HarperCollins, Greenwillow. 352p. c2004. 0-06-057987-0. $15.99. (Library ed: 0-06-057988-9. $16.89). J Alvin, age 12, lives with his over-protective mother and grandmother in Washington, DC. At school he is researching Matthew Henson Matthew Alexander Henson (August 8 1866 – March 9, 1955) was an American explorer and long-time companion to Robert Peary; amongst various expeditions, their most famous was a 1909 expedition which claimed to be the first to reach the Geographic North Pole. , and he is fascinated by the adventures of this fellow African American African American Multiculture A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. See Race. who went to the North Pole--so fascinated that he runs off to see the Arctic for himself, heading north to Baffin Island Baffin Island, 183,810 sq mi (476,068 sq km), c.1,000 mi (1,610 km) long and from 130 to 450 mi (210–720 km) wide, in the Arctic Ocean, Nunavut Territory, Canada. It is the fifth largest island in the world and the easternmost member of the Arctic Archipelago. by train, small plane and dogsled, helped by various people along the way. An old Inuk man lets Alvin stay with him, and teaches him how to survive in the frigid far north. This section will especially fascinate readers, as Alvin learns to make cookies from polar bear polar bear, large white bear, Ursus maritimus, formerly Thalarctos maritimus, of the coasts of arctic North America. Polar bears usually live on drifting pack ice, but sometimes wander long distances inland. fat, builds an igloo igloo (ĭg`l  ) [Inuit,=house]. The Eskimos traditionally had three types of houses. , climbs a glacier, and rescues his mentor when he is in danger of falling to his death. In the spring, now grown strong and self-confident, Alvin is finally ready to return home. Alvin's bravery and the exotic setting, which is beautifully described, will draw readers into this unusual adventure story. Paula Rohrlick, KLIATT
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