August 2008 - Magpies Voume 23 Sany Fussell's description (told through Iluak's present tense, first person narrative) of this bleak, bitter, icy world is flawless and makes utterly compelling reading... Polar Boy is a gripping well-researched and thoroughly enjoyable adventure for upper primary readers, of particular appeal to boys. Read it here or view it here ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
October 2008 - Reading Time The icescape is captured beautifully as the protagonsit must face his biggest fear, the polar bear which will determine the future of life amongst the snow and ice where whiteness reigns over darkness... Chapter style, easy to read, the amount of foreshadowing and predictability ensure the novel will have great appeal for younger readers. Read it here or view it here ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
August 2008 - Storytime Review Sandy Fussell has written a beautiful story of Illuak, a boy from the Too-lee, a polar tribe, and his challenges as he comes to terms with the fact that his grandmother (the tribal shaman) has predicted an encounter with a bear. His conflict between wanting to be brave and knowing how scared he feels is well written, as are the relationships with family and others in the tribe. ....I’m now looking forward to reading the first and second books of the Samurai Kids series by the same author. Read it here or view it here ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
September 2008 - The Reading Stack An important factor of the story is how it incorporates a strong sense of respect and connection to the natural world and the human ties to all living things. This is reflected well in the way the people give thanks to the spirit of the animal whose life they have taken to sustain their own, acknowledging its spirit, and taking only what they need to survive on, and nothing more.... The setting is in a brilliant white landscape that is partially night and always white. This is a stylish, perfectly crafted novel by the author of the Samurai Kids series. Read it here or view it here ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
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