My Antarctica

Follow Coretta Scott King Honor–winning author G. Neri to the end of the world in a captivating travel memoir that explores Antarctica through the curiosity and wonder of his inner child—the kid who dreamed of one day becoming an explorer.

Antarctica is a land of extremes—the coldest, windiest, highest, and driest place on the planet. It’s a world where the sun stays hidden half of the year and where visitors must undergo a week of special training before it’s safe to go outside (watch out for lava bombs!). It’s also a place of stark beauty, history, and endless scientific research. Join beloved author G. Neri on his long-dreamed-of voyage to the ice, where he taps into his inner child and encounters sea angels, mummified seals, space robots, inquisitive penguins, and so much more. Abundant full-color photographs (many by the author) and annotated comics and illustrations from Corban Wilkin depict an unforgettable stay in a land of baffling mysteries to uncover, epic questions to ponder, and bigger-than-life stories to tell. Robust back matter includes more facts and history, recommended source material, and answers to questions about everything from logistics (how do you sleep?) to cool science (why is Blood Falls red?). This eye-opening, information-packed memoir—shaped by the author’s visits with school groups upon his return—sparkles with his heartfelt journey of discovery.

Will give armchair travelers all the more incentive to put trips to the still largely unexplored continent on their bucket lists. . . . Warm memories of really cold places and the people who brave them for science.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Realizing his childhood dream of becoming an explorer while encouraging readers to share in it, Neri investigates the fantastical, foreboding desert of Antarctica in a dynamically illustrated travelogue with appeal as vast as that inhospitable terrain. . . . Through the text's easy banter and welcoming tone, Neri captures the collegial, camp-like atmosphere of the research base, making its geographic remoteness unexpectedly accessible. . . . With strong back matter, this high-interest nonfiction field guide celebrates curiosity and offers a fascinating snapshot of daily life in an icy wonderland. Recommended for all collections.
—Booklist (starred review)

After securing a grant from the National Science Foundation, Neri made his first efforts to become a “science translator,” aiming to bring stories about nature to kids who have little access to it. He does just that in this delightful travel diary, recounting his experience at the main U.S. facility in Antarctica with the enthusiasm and glee of a kid in a toy store. . . Cartoony illustrations and dialogue bubbles are set against full-color photographs, with Neri the primary figure, sketched with zigzagged lines and dappled textures that easily convey his childish wonder as he works with different scientists.
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

G. Neri is the award-winning author of many books for young readers, including Hello, I’m Johnny Cash; When Paul Met Artie: The Story of Simon & Garfunkel; Ghetto Cowboy; Polo Cowboy; and Christo and Jeanne-Claude Wrap the World: The Story of Two Groundbreaking Environmental Artists. His books have been translated into multiple languages in more than twenty-five countries. He is a multiple National Science Foundation grantee and a founding co-chair of the Antarctic Artists and Writers Collective. He received an honorary doctorate from the State University of New York (SUNY) for his writing and his contributions to polar science outreach. He lives with his family on the Gulf Coast of Florida. He can be found online at gneri.com.

Corban Wilkin is an award-winning illustrator of several graphic novels and comics, including Grand Theft Horse and The Time Traveling Dino Detectives of Antarctica, both written by G. Neri. His illustration work also appears in magazines, video games, and animations. He lives outside London.

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