Arctic Son

This is a gorgeous book, from the author of the Julie books (JULIE OF THE WOLVES, JULIE, JULIE'S WOLF PACK, and NUTIK, THE WOLF PUP). Jean Craighead George, writer of more than eighty books for children, naturalist, and expert on Eskimo culture and the Inupiaq language, does an excellent job with this recent addition to her works. Not to mention the illustrations by Wendell Minor, who has illustrated more of Ms. George's books. They're wonderously beautiful watercolors, filled with expression that highlight Ms. George's words equally fine words. The story is that of Ms. George's grandson, Luke, who lives in Barrow, Alaska, near the top of the world. Though his parents, Craig and Cyd, are from the lower forty-eight, Luke knows a lot about the Eskimo culture around him, gathering knowledge over the years from an Inupiat friend of the Georges. Luke is referred to as Kupaaq, the native language name that the friend gave to him when he was born. The beautiful Inupiaq language is seen many times through the course of the book, as are details of the culture and the tundra life surrounding Barrow. This is an excellent choice for a cold winter's night by the fire, for children to learn about others like them, who may live thousands of miles away.