Bodies from the Ice: Melting Glaciers and the Recovery of the Past

Bibliography:

Deem, James M. 2008. Bodies for the Ice: Melting Glaciers and the Recovery of the Past. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
ISBN: 978-0-618-80045-2

Summary:

James Deem presents his tribute to people who have been recovered from melting glaciers as well as the glaciers themselves in Bodies from the Ice. His discussion begins with the discovery of the oldest human found preserved by ice, named Otzi. Deem continues his exploration by discussing the conditions glaciers create that both mummify, destroy and uncover past human causalities. Including multiple glacial sites and discoveries, the reader is taken on a journey through time and geography to discover the majesty and destructive nature of glaciers, but also their importance to our ecosystem.

Analysis:

Bodies from the Ice presents information about glaciers in photo essay format, categorized geographically. Author James Deem begins the quest with the discovery of Otzi the Iceman who was accidentally found by recreational mountaineers in the Otztal Alps. Readers hear detailed accounts of discovery, excavation, and archeological findings from multiple glacial sites around the world, discovering interesting facts about the past, present and future of glaciers. Deem pairs multiple high-interest photographs with informative captions, explaining and expanding upon the text. Photographs, captions, and small text additions are placed appropriately beside the text body, adding to reader interest instead of cluttering the pages and detracting from the reading experience. Multiple informational resources reside at the end of the book, including "Glaciers to Visit", "Suggested Websites" and "Illustration Credits" as well as a bibliography that verifies the accuracy of Deem's statements. He also incorporates an alphabetical index that includes text and photograph references to aid the reader with specific searches. Deem's style of writing is both informative and interesting, promoting active reading: "During Earth's many ice ages, glaciers stretched well beyond the polar regions into areas that are now more temperate or tropical. Even deserts such as the Sahara were covered by ice at various times." Readers are touched by James Deem's memorial text, learning about the past from the icy corpses, hearing about the present conservation efforts for glaciers, and speculating on the future impact of glacial melting, leaving readers with a thirst to know more.


Reviews:


"Clearly identified lithographs, paintings and archival photos help readers see how much has changed in these high altitudes, while maps make clear the locations of particular discoveries. Photos of skulls, mummified bodies and artifacts will fascinate readers. An intriguing read, complementing the author’s highly commended Bodies from the Bog (1998) and Bodies from the Ash (2005), with a bonus environmental message...." - Kirkus Reviews, Oct. 15, 2008 (from www.jamesmdeem.com)

"With its extensive bibliography, suggested Web sites, and a listing of glaciers to visit, Bodies is a fantastic resource. Deem superbly weaves diverse geographical settings, time periods, and climate issues into a readable work that reveals the increasing interdisciplinary dimensions of the sciences." - School Library Journal, Dec. 2008 (from www.jamesmdeem.com) 

"Heavily illustrated with historical memorabilia as well as photos of bodies, scenery, artifacts, and rather simplistic maps, this offers a lot to look at and learn about." - Booklist, Dec. 1, 2008 (from www.jamesmdeem.com)
 

2009 Robert F. Sibert Informational Award Honor Book - awarded by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association

2011 Prairie Pasque Award Winner

Connections:

• Other text by James Deem:
• Bodies from the Bog. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1998
• Bodies from the Ash: Life and Death in Ancient Pompeii. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2005
• Glacier Research - www.jamesmdeem.com/page.glacier.htm
• Make a creative representation of a glacier (model, mural or collage) including type of glacier, parts of glacier and possibly artifacts in glacier
• Create a "Did you know?" bulletin board or poster with information/facts about glaciers (including information about past, present and future)
• Create conservation handout for school families about how they can help conservation efforts against glacial melting