My Antarctica – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

My Antarctica

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2024

93%

WISE Score

Science meets sci-fi in this real-life adventure to the bottom of the world—come for the space robots, stay for the mummified seals.

My Antarctica

book

2024

93%

WISE Score

Science meets sci-fi in this real-life adventure to the bottom of the world—come for the space robots, stay for the mummified seals.

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Screenwise Verdict

G. Neri basically lived every kid's dream (and every parent's 'no thanks' nightmare) by trekking to the most isolated place on Earth on a National Science Foundation grant.

This isn't your standard school library book about penguins. It’s a gritty, beautiful, and weird look at what it actually takes to do science at the edge of the world. It’s the kind of book that turns 'I hate reading' kids into 'Did you know...?' kids. If you want to spark a love for STEM without the 'educational' boredom, this is a total winner.

Age Fit

Perfect for the 7-10 crowd who are starting to move past basic picture books but still want high-energy visuals and cool facts. Even though it's for kids, any adult interested in exploration will find the 'behind the scenes' of McMurdo Station pretty cool.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It’s a celebration of curiosity, scientific endeavor, and the resilience of the human spirit in extreme conditions. It models a healthy, respectful awe for the natural world.

Imaginative

By framing Antarctica as a landscape of 'space robots' and alien-like environments, it pushes kids to see the real world through a lens of wonder and sci-fi possibility.

Safe

Extremely safe. The 'mummified seals' mentioned are scientific curiosities, not horror elements. It’s a high-quality non-fiction book from a reputable publisher.

Enriching

It’s a primary-source-style adventure that makes STEM feel like a daring expedition. High educational value regarding climate, biology, and robotics.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

It’s written by G. Neri, who actually went to Antarctica, so it feels like a personal travel diary rather than a dry encyclopedia.
The mix of 'space robots' and 'mummified seals' is basically catnip for curious kids who like the weirder side of nature.
It makes science feel like an extreme sport, which is a great way to trick kids into learning about climate and biology.
Corban Wilkin's illustrations bring a cinematic feel to a place that usually just looks like a giant ice cube in other books.

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What to Watch For

The 'mummified seals' are real biological remains preserved by the dry cold—it's fascinating, but maybe a tiny bit macabre for the very squeamish.
It covers the harsh reality of living in a place that wants to freeze you, so expect some talk about extreme survival and isolation.

Conversation Starters

"If you had to live in a shipping container in the freezing cold to study robots, would you do it?"
"Why do you think the seals stay 'mummified' there instead of rotting away like they would in our backyard?"
"What’s the one thing you’d miss most if you couldn't leave your base for months?"
"Do you think exploring Antarctica is more like exploring the ocean or exploring outer space?"

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