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Life in a small Arctic village takes on an interesting twist when two racist hunters show up in town. Seventeen-year-old Panuk must make a life-or-death decision during a huge blizzard. This book will introduce you to day-to-day life in an Arctic village. Where do the villagers get water for their existence? Where do the villagers go to school? You will learn what is involved in surviving in such a harsh environment.
As he lay in bed, Panuk would often point his toes downward and stretch as hard as he could, hoping it would help him grow a bit taller. Panuk was proud of his Inuit name, which means one who is strong, but he hated being so short.
When he was younger, his grandfather would often tell him the story of the Tuniit—the giants of the land. Panuk wondered why he couldn’t be a Tuniit. He daydreamed of showing up at school as a giant and becoming a basketball star and getting drafted by a pro team. The Tuniit were strong and fast and hard to catch. Panuk knew that, just like the legends of the Tuniit, his dream would be hard to catch too.
READ MOREHe sat up on the edge of his bed and held his legs straight out. Checking them out, he was glad that the infection around his ankles had cleared up. The antibiotics the nurse at the nursing station had given him last summer had certainly helped. He’d had so many mosquito bites around his ankles that they had become infected. He loathed the mosquitos that arrived in droves in the summer. He would often wonder how God could have created such a creature. If he heard the high-pitched buzz of a mosquito in his tent or room, he would not be able to sleep until he got rid of it.
COLLAPSEFrom Google Books wrote:"A perfect story to encourage teenage readers and find empowerment in who they are within their community. Panuk is proud of his Inuit name and heritage. His family have settled for a traditional way of life where gender roles have to be interchangeable to survive Arctic living. His Dad is a guide taking visitors out on hunting and camping expeditions, consequently Panuk has learned many skills accompanying them on such trips. So when his Dad is unable to lead two “Southerners” out on the ice in search of Caribou he asks Panuk to take over. He has to confront his own fears as well as unexpected bigotry and outspoken racism. When their camp is overrun by a fierce storm it seems his life is threatened as well as all his accepted principles and core values. A great sense of place and location in this icy wilderness. Part coming of age story as much as the life issues. Certainly the clash of cultures leaves Panuk at a disadvantage but I enjoyed the inner strength his upbringing and learning allows him. Real emotions are drawn out, fear is clearly defined in all three characters stranded in the storm. Resilience and fortitude are needed as much as skill and a belief in one’s own values. One Arctic Night has the potential to take life or change it forever. As a book it should give young people encouragement to do right and act fairly. If offers hope while reflecting on what makes us different in our shrinking world. It embraces change and environment concerns while showing it isn’t too great a leap to welcome diversity, faith and new beginnings."
"This was a brilliant read and so very interesting. I loved learning about a different culture. This book did an excellent job at peaking my interest and making me feel like I had learnt something. It was a brilliant adventure survival story. It was a wonderful short story aimed at teenagers aged 12 to 17 years but I definitely feel like adults will love and appreciate it too. It's great at describing what life is like in a cold and dangerous climate. It was very well wrote with lots of atmosphere and tension. I was certainly at the edge of my seat with this page turning book. I loved the characters and thought the author did an excellent job at creating tourist characters who are demanding and lack to understand the dangers of the climate. I just love characters that you love to hate. I really can't recommend this book enough it's exciting and thrilling. I just couldn't put it down and had to binge read it. I would love to read more books by this fantastic author.
Only the highest of praise goes out to the author and publishing team for creating a fantastic believable story that is great for ages 12 plus."
