Nick Bertozzi (Lewis & Clark) here offers another graphic novel depiction of an intrepid explorer: Lieutenant Ernest Shackleton. He once again builds suspense through a brilliant man-versus-nature true adventure, while also realistically depicting the tensions between crew members.
Bertozzi begins with Shackleton's obsession with reaching the South Pole, as he attempts to raise money for his third expedition to the Antarctic. Shackleton interviews Frank Worsley to serve as his captain, then Bertozzi cuts to the full roster of crew plus "The Endurance and its lifeboats." The author-artist uses humor to lighten the mood of this challenging voyage, for which the men's lives are often at risk. For instance, Split Lip the dog's escape from the kennel occasions a cutaway view of the Endurance's interior, as Split Lip runs from one end of the ship to the other. But Bertozzi lays out the perils of their journey: winter's onset, killer whales, strong currents, potentially fatal icebergs. And he conveys Shackleton's love for this land of extremes--its all or nothing sunshine and vast expanses of snow and ice. Through it all, Shackleton stays calm and collected, a smart leader who draws upon his crew's expertise to keep the team alive.
Black-and-white and gray-scale panel illustrations toggle between vertical and horizontal narrow strips, as well as more traditional panel sequences. Maps and well-labeled dates and times show the expedition's progress. Bertozzi establishes clear voices and personalities for the crewmen. Even naysayer McNish converts to a Shackleton fan, and readers will be converts, too. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness