Deem, James M. 2008. Bodies from the Ice: Melting Glaciers and the Recovery of the Past. US: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. ISBN 0-618-80045-X.
Summary
During a hike on an Italian mountain, a couple stumbled upon a find that would change the research field: a corpse. The discovery was a 5,300 year old corpse that spurred research in the field of mummies and bodies found in glaciers as well as finding the reason why glaciers are melting at a faster pace than in the past. Ongoing research is trying to discover the factors that affect the melting process and what can be done to change or slow down the process.
Critical Analysis
Included in the bibliography section are over 50 sources from which the author has gathered research to include in this book. Deem was in the field, collecting data, pictures and information that took years to gather. Throughout the book, the author differentiates between fact and assumptions:
Early research theorized that, caught in a snowstorm, Otzi fell asleep and froze to death.
After examining the body, scientists concluded that Otzi had been naturally mummified within a few months of his death.
This book is one to read from first page to last, in order. Each page has information that connects to each other to tell the story of how the research got started, why it was important and other key information that would not have been understood if previous pages had not been read. Included at the beginning of the book is a table of contents made easy for readers to identify. Throughout the book contains heading and subheadings, as well as side tables, a glossary, and acknowledgements.
The title itself drew me in as a reader. It was catchy and I wanted to open the book and discover what the book was about. Many of the pictures are from the field, meaning real life pictures during the research. This book would be deemed appropriate for young adults such as middle and high school students considering the content, layout, language, and level of reading and comprehension needed. Younger readers may be scared off from the graphic pictures and content (such as children frozen in the glaciers and as mummies).
Review Excerpts
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award Nominee 2009
American Library Association Notable Books for Children Award 2009
Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee 2010
Booklist- There are books about melting glaciers and books about frozen bodies, but this attractive offering combines the topics in a way that will intrigue readers.
School Library Journal- 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.
Connections
- Visiting the websites contained in the end of the book:
- All About Glaciers: http://nsidc.org/glaciers/
- Glacier Page: www.jamesmdeem.com/page.glacier.htm
- The Mummy Tombs: www.mummytomb.com/otzi.htm
- South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology: http://www.iceman.it/
- Brainstorming ideas and sharing with others ways to help the environment to help slow down the process of the glaciers melting.
- Finding research on the current research of why glaciers are melting at a faster rate.
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