Features
- Reading level: Young Adult
- Cover Type: Hard Cover with 174 pages
- Published by: Perceval Press June 2004
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 0974707805
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-0974707808
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Book Dimensions:
8.7 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
- Weighs: 1.1 pounds
Book Description
Until the late nineteenth century, it was widely believed that an ancient Viking colony had survived on the unexplored and ice-locked coast of southeast Greenland. The Danish discovery of the isolated Inuit culture of the Ammassalick Fiord in 1884 did not fully dispel the myth.
Now jump to present-day Greenland: four teenaged scientists, winners of United Nations scholarships, are excited to spend their summer counting reindeer for the celebrated Professor Dansgaard at his Artic wildlife research station. But when they discover some mysterious bones in Dansgaard's lab, they suddenly find themselves on an expedition to the mysterious Valley of the Runes. Battling screaming ice, marooned Vikings, a sorcerer named Halldor, an Arctic hurricane, and a collapsing cave, the adventurers must learn the deep meaning of friendship and nonviolence if they are to survive. Mike Davis's tale of teenage teamwork and discovery is filled with scientific wonder, coming-of-age intrigue, and potent lessons on the fruits of collaboration and friendship.
Reader Reviews
"Science adventure" sounds like an oxymoron. But Mike Davis strays from urban theory here: a young adult science adventure with a few hints of sci-fi. "Land of the Lost Mammoths" is that rarest kind of kid book -- educational and fun, not to mention as intriguing to adults as to their honor student kid. Four young students win special U.N. scholarships, thanks to their brilliance in biology, engineering, linguistics and ecosystems. They're going to Greenland, to study under celebrated scientist Professor Dansgaard. Jack, his half-brother Conor, Qavigarssuag ("Qav") and Julia soon find that Dansgaard is indeed brilliant, though rather eccentric. But how eccentric? They find mammoth bones in Dansgaard's office, and learn that he believes that mammoths still exist somewhere nearby. He also believes that the descendents of an ancient Viking colony still live in hiding. The group travels to a legendary valley in a glacier, but things start to go wrong, pitting them against the forces of nature -- and a Viking sorcerer. Perceval Press is best known for publishing spellbinding poetry, photography, music and other art. Here they take a small detour -- it's sort of a modern Jules Verne book for kids. Davis doesn't let the plot lag for a moment, and he's not afraid to sprinkle in stuff to give you thrills and chills. Is all this science and history boring? Heck no. The plot is sprinkled with examinations of ecological and political ramifications. For example, Qav brings up the U.S.'s controversial presence in Greenland at one point. Another would be the conflict between the expedition members -- should they bring a gun into a Viking camp? The question of whether they should risk themselves to avoid contaminating an unspoiled culture is a hard one, and not one that Davis chickens out on. The characters are well-drawn and likable, and Davis successfully makes them seem intelligent and innovative without being annoying. And William Simpson provides delicate, detailed black-and-white illustrations, complete with animal skulls and Celtic knots. It adds to the feeling that the present and past are twined together in this book. "Land of the Lost Mammoths" is a surprising but very welcome "bedtime story" from Mike Davis, with enough fun and thrills to send readers scrambling for more research books.
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