JA rn Riel is a Danish writer who is highly regarded in Europe for his work focusing on the people of the Arctic Circle. The Inuk Quartet has been published in Danish, French and German to great acclaim. Helen Cann has worked as an illustrator and artist, exhibiting in several European countries. She has illustrated many Barefoot Books including The Barefoot Book of Dance Stories. Helen has travelled in the Arctic Circle and her illustrations for this series are informed by her experiences there.
Gr 4-6-This beautifully illustrated epic adventure, set circa 1000 CE, begins with the shocking, retaliatory beheading of young Viking Leiv's father by Thorstein Gunnarsson. The playful boy becomes withdrawn and vows to take revenge. When Thorstein casts off from Iceland for Greenland to serve out his sentence of exile, Leiv stows away onboard but is swept into the sea during a storm. An Inuit brother and sister, Apuluk, 12, and Narua, 11, find him and care for him in secret-their shaman would regard the stranger as an evil spirit-until he has learned enough Inuit words to be taken to their settlement. Leiv learns their ways and comes to admire the independence of the children, their ability to survive happily in a harsh environment, and their lack of interest in violence or useless material possessions. The narrative is straightforward and well paced, with several engaging dramatic episodes. Riel skillfully interweaves information about the Inuit culture, language, and environment without being didactic. Vocabulary may pose a challenge for less-advanced readers, and mention of beheadings and amputations may be unsuitable for others. But Cann's ethereal watercolor, graphite, and collage illustrations in cool blue tones and browns have a calmer mood that will enchant readers with the beauty of the Arctic landscape. With its engaging story and important messages, this book will be an asset to multicultural and social-studies units. Also suggest it to lovers of Gary Paulsen's Hatchet (Bradbury, 1987) and Margi Preus's Heart of a Samurai (Abrams, 2010).-Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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