Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance

Armstrong, Jennifer. Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance. 1998. 134pp. Lexile 1090. Available in paperback.

This excellent narrative captures the excitement and danger of the 1914 Antarctic expedition headed by Sir Ernest Shackleton.  After their ship was frozen for months, then destroyed by ice, Shackleton and a few of his men set off on a high risk journey to find help.  The book, based heavily on primary sources, follows Shackleton’s rescue effort while also describing the conditions and fears of those left behind in camp.  Many stunning photographs taken by the expedition photographer add beauty, information, and a glimpse of the men involved in this remarkable adventure.



Reading Std #1: Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and implicitly, citing specific textual evidence to support conclusions drawn from it.
Have student identify the key ideas of this survival story in terms of information presented but also the sub-text about courage.