Call Me Ahnighito

by Pam Conrad, Richard Egielski (Illustrator)

"In 1894, Robert Peary's explorers discovered a car-sized meteorite in Greenland and hauled it off to New York's [American Museum of Natural History]. An intriguing story if conventionally told, Conrad makes it unforgettable by choosing the meteorite itself to be the narrator. [A] wonderfully fresh, energetic tale [with art that captures] the era's look and flavor expertly."--SLJ. Best Books of 1995 (SLJ)
"A Few Good Books 1995" (Book Links)
1996 Notable Trade Books in the Language Arts (NCTE)

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 30, 1995

About the author

Pam Conrad (1947-1996) was an author for children. Her book Our House: Stories of Levittown was a Newbery Medal finalist.

Ms. Conrad was born in New York City and graduated from the New School for Social Research.

Reviews

[Becky Loader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfectly told story and illustrations about the journey of an awesome meteorite to its home in the Museum of Natural History.

Oh, did I mention the story is told by the meteorite?

[Robert Shupe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This childrens book tells the story of how a meterorite from the Artic came to be in the New York Museum of Natural History and it does so from the perspective of the meterorite.
The pictures are nice and like all childrens books it will hopefully spark the imagination to learn more.
The real Ahnighito is still at the museum and enjoying those who want to visit.
Take your kids to museums and zoos as they are wonderful opportunities not to be missed
May this book inspire and further learning in our children and help us adults to not be jaded about the wonderful things in this world.
Truly a good read.

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as I'd hoped for such a great idea & such great possibilities but the illustrations are nice & if it introduces someone to this incredible meteorite & how it ended up in NY so that they look further, then that is good

[Cynthia Varady · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely historical recounting of a meteorite dubbed Ahnighito. The retelling is a little Eurocentirc, but the images of the Greenlandic Inuit (indeginious people of Greenland) laughing at the white's efforts to move the enourmous rock make up for it, a little.

[Ashley Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually very much enjoyed this simple story of how a meteorite got carted off from Greenland to its final destination-American Museum of Natural History.

[The Campbell Family · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a bit biased as Pam Conrad was my favorite author as a child... but, reading this totally brought back WHY. Just something about her writing style really does it for me. My 7 year old daughter was RIVETED, and now I'm wanting to find out more about this meteorite!

[Leia-Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's funny that it's like the meteoroid has thoughts.

[Matthew · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hmmm, what is the point?

[Colleen]

Rocky Tales - unit 8
Fiction

[Finny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mommy says: F did not want me to read this, but he warmed up to the story after a page or two.

[Marshmallowlemonade · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a non-fiction first person description of an asteroid, this is just fine. As a story it's not great. The prose is clunky. It is carried by the interesting story.

[Ms. B · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good one for teaching point of view; this one is told from the perspective of a meteor found in Greenland in the late 1800s.

[Illey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good story. I was a bit shocked when I realized the narrator was the rock. Overall, I enjoyed the story and would recommend it.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe if the reader has seen the meteorite irl she'll be more interested in the story behind it? Did nothing for me.

[The Book Box]

Daddy read this to me the other night before bed.