Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World

Critics Review

• “The
  harrowing survival story of English explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and the
  ill-fated Endurance has intrigued people since the 1914 expedition…[Armstrong]
  brings the unbelievable journey to life with delicious details: how a handsome
  young stowaway was discovered too late to cast him off; how the ship itself
  would become frost-white, looking like ‘another species of sparkling white
  iceberg as it nosed its way through the pack;’ and how the ice-pack-dwelling
  Emperor penguins seemed to enjoy the banjo music of crew member Leonard Hussey.
  The true-to-life story is as thrilling as they come, and Armstrong’s lively,
  crystal-clear writing style is just as compelling….[An] inspiring nonfiction
  adventure story that young readers will devour from cover to cover.”

  Amazon.com, editorial review

• “Armstrong…brings
  her considerable story-crafting talents to this real-life tale. The inside of
  the ship becomes so alive that we can smell its fetid air, we can hear the
  coins clank as the men play cards at night, and we can taste the spirits they
  drink after they shout their usual toast, ‘To our sweethearts and wives—may
  they never meet!’ How do they get off the ice? The story will leave you
  breathless…In this age of fantastical music videos, extraterrestrial fantasies,
  superheroes with bionic powers, and intricate computer games, it’s refreshing
  to hear the story of a real-life adventure and to meet twenty-eight extremely
  brave people. This team of men, without computers or radios or any sophisticated
  equipment, survived ‘the most hostile environment this side of the moon.’ Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World
  will both humble and inspire teens who thirst for excitement. Jennifer
  Armstrong makes history come alive more vibrantly than any virtual-reality
  game.”

  Barnes&Noble.com, editorial review

• “Armstrong keeps
  her narrative moving at a brisk pace. A generous supply of colorful anecdotes and
  excerpts from journals shed light on the men’s personalities and reveal
  Shackleton’s remarkable skill for keeping his crew agreeable and hopeful,
  despite life-threatening conditions. Other passages…possess heart-pounding
  immediacy. Armstrong’s absorbing storytelling… make this an enthralling
  adventure.”

  Publishers Weekly (starred review)

• “Ernest
  Shackleton’s 1914–1916 Antarctic expedition was, in Armstrong’s words, ‘one of
  the most incredible feats of survival ever recorded.’ Her captivating, complete
  account, which identifies and tracks practically every crew member and
  liberally employs quotes from crew diaries, will find an audience with the detail-oriented,
  want-to-know-it-all kind of reader.”

  Horn Book Guide (starred review)

• “Filled
  with intriguing details and written with dramatic style, this riveting account
  of the ill-fated Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition reads like an adventure
  novel…Armstrong brings all of these experiences vividly to life, frequently
  using quotes from members of the expedition…Armstrong crafts [the facts] into
  an unforgettable story of true heroism and the triumph of the human spirit. A
  book that will capture the attention and imagination of any reader.”

  School Library Journal

• “Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World is
  a book to finish in one breathless sitting, then dream about all night long.”

  Riverbank Review

• “Armstrong
  takes this material and makes an equally spectacular read. The ‘Boss’ and his
  crew come alive in one amazing event after another…This is an adventure to keep
  any kid or grownup awake late into the night, shivering from the cold and
  turning pages.”

  Children's Literature

• “This
  adventure story of survival against all odds in one of the harshest environments
  on the planet is told in swift, stirring prose by Armstrong, a children’s book
  author; it’s an ALA Best Book for YAs, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book, and
  the recipient of many other honors. An exceptional work of nonfiction for all
  libraries serving YAs.”

  Kliatt

• “This
  unbelievable story is enhanced by the vigorous prose; from the captivating
  introduction through the epilogue, it is the writing as much as the story that
  will rivet readers.”

  Kirkus Reviews

• “Armstrong
  paints a vivid picture of the ordeal.”

  Booklist

• “Taylor
  Mali’s narration of the book by Jennifer Armstrong is riveting, and his shifts
  from one accent to the next are effective and not at all distracting. The text
  moves from diary entries to explanations of how to read the sun, and the
  descriptions of the terrain and weather are superb. This is a very effective
  presentation of not only how the disaster occurred but of the toll it took on
  the crew and how they rose to the challenge.”

  School Library Journal (audio review)

• “Armstong’s
  vivid biography of Shackleton and his crew is brought to life by Taylor Mali.
  Excerpts from diaries and newspaper accounts, which flesh out this incredible
  adventure of survival in the harshest environment on the planet, are read in
  distinct accents by Mali…Mali’s intense narration drives listeners of all ages
  to experience the severe weather, lack of food, and incredible demands of
  exploration and survival.”

  AudioFile