Donna Jo Napoli

Tired of his mother's overprotectiveness and intrigued by the life of African American explorer Matthew Henson, twelve-year-old Alvin travels north and spends a season with a trapper near the Arctic Circle.

North

Jeni Enjaian

This is another really good book by Napoli. The narrator had a very believable voice. His experience showcased many cultural norms which Napoli described well while avoiding becoming pedantic. Napoli crafts a compelling, engaging narrative that at times had me feeling like I did not want to put the book down. Napoli also stretches the suspension of disbelief about as much as it can go with Alvin's reactions to the seemingly insurmountable challenges placed in his way. His growth as a character is phenomenal. Like many of Napoli's other books, I wished the ended had been a little clearer and a little more conclusive.
I would definitely recommend this book.

North

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