Bodies from the Ice: Melting Glaciers and the Recovery of the Past- Book Review

Kathey Smith - Book Review



Bibliography- Deem, James. 2008. Bodies from the ice: Melting Glaciers and the Recovery of the past. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 9780618800452

Plot Summary-  This book is a show stopper. Deem creativly provides information about glaciers and what happens to people who were involved in unforseen accidents and bodies are consumed by the ice and found many many years later.  Deen uses nice colorful photos and paintings.  The descriptive text "The children were selected for the Capacocha or sacrifical, ceremany apparently based on their perfect looks".  The boy, about seven years old, wore a red wool tunic.  His face was predded so tightly into his kness that his nose had become flattened" flows well with the nice photos and paintings and helps keep the reader engaged.  The factual information may allow this book to be a great source for book reports or research papers for student in middle or high school.

Critical Analysis-  This book is full of photographs and paintings of people, glaciers, outher element activities.  Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices "Facinating photographs complement the captivating narrative".  There are also a list of glaciers and  website that offers more information.  This book provides prehistoric information as well as aide in science activities.

Review Excerpt-  Kirkus: "Photos of skulls, mummified bodies and artifacts will fascinate readers"
Library Media Connection: " This book is a treat to look at, but is also chock-full of enough text and factual information to be a great resource for research reports"
Science Books and Film: " The book is small, but accurately portrays the process of science from discovery to investigation".

Connections- Students may use this book as a resource for a research paper.  The list of glaciers and the websit information could be very helpful for learning experiences.
Other books about elements.
Deem, Steve. Bodies from the Bog. ISBN 618354026
Deem, Steve. Bodies From the Ash: Life and Death in Anicent. ISBN 9780618473083
Freedman, Russell. Who Was First?: Discovering the Americas. ISBN 9780618663910