Maisie vs Antarctica

In Maisie Vs Antarctica, Maisie is an imaginative, funny 11-year-old who lives with a dull and rather unadventurous dad. Maisie loves to write and to conjure up fantastical tales whilst her dad earns his living writing a series of 'How To..' guides on topics the likes of which he would never have actually experienced. There is absolutely no way that Maisie's dad would ever have wrestled a crocodile or defused a bomb, despite penning guides on those exact topics. Dad enjoys jigsaws and train timetables and does not do fun. Or so Maisie thinks!

When Maisie finds herself joining Dad on a research trip to Antarctica, she learns that, far from being boring and predictable, Dad is amazing. Maisie narrates the story and her personality shouts loud and proud; her witty self-deprecating humour is something that many readers will relate to. Despite her frustrations at him, Maisie loves her Dad and he loves her. Even when the mysteries within the plot are twisted and keeping the reader guessing, there is never any doubt about the strength of the relationship between Dad and Maisie.

Set within the backdrop of Antarctica, there are heart-stopping moments of action involving dangerous wildlife and near-misses with the treacherous landscape. The fast pace of the story is driven by strong characterisation and tense action. This is a story that is packed with thrills and twists. Its fresh, unique approach keeps you hooked from start to finish.

256 pages / Reviewed by Jo Clarke, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 7+

11-year-old Maisie lives with her father. He writes books telling people "How To" do exciting things, like building a zipwire, but he lives a very boring life and, as far as Maisie believes, has never done anything exciting himself. When he needs to go to Antarctica to research his latest book, he reluctantly has to take Maisie with him. When a plane crash leaves them stranded in the snowy wastes of Antarctica, Maisie discovers a whole new side to her father's life. Can his strange talents help them to survive and find their way home?

Maisie vs Antarctica is a glorious debut novel by Jack Jackman. We are plunged into the adventure from the very first page, and the action never flags. Maisie is such an engaging character; funny, brave and imaginative, she jumps from the page and straight into the heart of the reader. Her relationship with her father is beautifully described; she loves him but is irritated by his love of boring jigsaws and origami. As the story progresses, the two grow closer and we are given some hints as to how her mother died.

The author gives vivid descriptions of Antarctica and its wildlife; we learn how to build an igloo and are introduced to emperor penguins and leopard seals. The author is a teacher himself, and this book would work perfectly as a class reader. Any teacher wishing to introduce the topic of Antarctica to a group of children will find this book invaluable. As well as being a gripping adventure, it gives huge scope for further class research and discussion.

The novel includes an interesting Q&A with the author, and also gives us a sneaky peak into Maisie's next adventure - she and her father will be travelling to the Himalayas in the sequel, and I just can't wait to find out what happens to them next!

Congratulations to Mr Jackman on a thoroughly enjoyable debut - I can see teachers and pupils alike queuing up for this one!

256 pages / Reviewed by Beverley Somerset, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 9+