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Antarctica: The Melting Continent

Antarctica: The Melting Continent

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Author(s)

Karen Romano Young

Co-Authors / Illustrators

Angela Hsieh

Publisher

What on Earth Books

Genre(s)

Age Range

10+

Release Date

April 19, 2022

ISBN

978-1913750534

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Antarctica–vast, cold, and mysterious. This frozen continent is full of incredible stories. Here you can discover incredible wildlife, awe-inspiring landscapes, and adventurous scientists and explorers.

Join author Karen Romano Young on a trip across Antarctica, hanging out with people and animals and learning about how this special place is changing, and what it means for our planet. Hang out with some of the coolest creatures on earth above and below the ice as you meet emperor penguins, killer whales, and elephant seals. Suit up for the cold and explore some of the harshest landscapes on earth, following in the footsteps of brave explorers. And learn about how scientists survive here today and what they do all day–from studying climate change to investigating ice cores almost a million years old to learn about the history–and future–of our planet.

Editor review

1 review

All You Want to Know About Antartica

July 12, 2022

Overall rating

5.0

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

Learning Value

5.0

In addition to being the author of middle grade books such as Hundred Percent, A Girl, a Racoon and a Midnight Moon, and Stuck in the middle, Romano Young is a polar explorer and scientist. Antarctica: The Melting Continent is her illustrated memoir of her time at a scientific station there, as well as an explanation of what is occurring on this continent in the way of climate change, research, and exploration.

Since most middle grade readers won't be terribly familiar with Antarctica, there is a nice description of the topography, complete with illustrated maps that describe the differences between areas and are accompanied by lists of applicable vocabulary. This is very helpful in understanding the impact of climate change that is discussed. There are also chapters on the fauna that live in the region and the impact that these changes are having on them. There are especially nice charts of the different type of giant animals, and even a discussion about non-native life.

Good Points

One very interesting thing about the book is the number of short biographies about scientists that study Antarctica that are included. From explorers of the past to scientists of today, there are descriptions of a number of people who devote their studies to various aspects of this particular climate, from studying animals, to core samples of old air and ice, to worm farms! It's interesting to see the wide range of science fields represented.

The information about how to travel to Antarctica, where to stay, and how to dress are quite interesting. I was a bit concerned, though, since the scientists dress in layers roughly equivalent to the ones I wear walking to school! I think I would need some extra layers to keep warm in such a cold place!

The end of the book has a nice glossary, an index, and some source notes for further research. This is a complete discussion about an area many readers won't get a chance to visit, and is a good next step for young readers who love science related picture books like Lang's Leaf Detectives and Messner's Over and Under in the Forest. Romano Young also has some picture books that are science related, a few National Geographic illustrated titles like Mission: Sea Turtle Rescue, and Try This!: 50 Fun Experiments for the Mad Scientist in You for readers of a scientific bent.