Frozen Fire: A Tale Of Courage

by James A. Houston

Based in part on a true story, Frozen Fire vividly depicts the traditional Eskimo way of life. It is a story about wisdom, hope, and the will to survive.

The Canadian a frozen land where bone-chilling winds and negative forty degree temperatures can last for days on end. Matthew and Kayak are familiar with the territory, and they plan carefully before they set out on their secret snowmobile search - a search for Matthew's missing father. But when the boys become stranded, every minute is a struggle for survival.

Genres: Childrens, Action, Fiction, Survival, Canada, Middle Grade, Historical Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

James Archibald Houston

Reviews

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wilderness survival story about two boys set in the Arctic. Fans of Hatchet or Will Hobbs's Never Say Die who are looking for similar titles will want to give this one a try.

[Maximilian Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maximilian Lee I DID NOT like this book because it was REALLY slowly-paced. It felt like I was trying to read the slime a snail was leaving behind. It was about two boys and one of the boy's father crashes in a helicopter. The two boys go to find him but also get lost. After that the book really slows down.

[Bopeep · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

It was a nice and cozy read, and also so educational. It was like a survival story, but they explained why they did this or that.
Could I live in a snow desert? Of course not, but at least I know how dangerous it is :D

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great adventure story! Just finished reading aloud to my 9 yo daughter and 8 yo son. They hated having to wait to find out what happened. Highly recommend.

[Sheri Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish there were more stories like this. Stories that teach children their are more important things in life than money, even when adults and parents forget.

[Paula Sheridan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this with my grandson. This was a great adventure story, with lots of interesting information about the Inuit culture. Very atmospheric. The descriptive passages of the Arctic landscape were beautiful and gave us lots of practice for similes and metaphors. Highly recommend for 4th - 6th graders.

[Grant Fawcett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book in middle school while living in Wabush, Labrador. I’d forgotten how harrowing a tale it is. I plan to have my daughters read it as well. It is a great piece of Canadian fiction.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent for Juvenile YA Survival adventure. What a series of horrible choices by the father, leading to horrible choices by the son. Cool info about survival in cold wilderness. I appreciated the inclusion of Eskino language words and phrases.

[Brodie Reader Dude · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cool story, an easy read.

[Emma Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an amazing i have ever read

[Myra Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had this book for a few years now but just hadn't ever really wanted to read it until today. I was looking for a short book to read and I was craving something with some adventure so I grabbed this book out of my TBR bookcase and started reading -- and didn't stop until I had read the entire book.

Although it was written many years ago and is a book for young readers I thoroughly enjoyed this it. I didn't even try to pronounce the words in Inuktitut, though. Even so, I was able to read and understand the story. The summary of the book written inside the dust cover only tells a part of what the book is about. It is also a book about a father and son managing life after losing their wife/mom, and even more than that it's a story about friendship. I really enjoyed this part of the story - especially in light of all the negativity that is taking place here in the States right now.

[Reuben Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt the overall atomsphere of the plot was spot on. The character development, probably not the best on how they changed. They did overcome challenges, like fighting off an polar bear and surviving out in the freezing cold. It could be action-packed at times, and very dull with just sitting around talking about each others problems. It was an alright book all round.

[Cheyenne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book in school, and when we finished I jokingly told my teacher to please not do this book again (To which she readily agreed). I did not like it at all.

The writing in this book is not horrendous; the main thing that really killed this book for me was the complete and total lack of a climax. The book attempted to build suspense, but it didn't really build to anything at all. It could not seem to follow a basic plot diagram, it just kind of went.

If you read this book, do not expect a super fast-paced story, because you won't find one. I could see it maybe being good for younger children, but not anyone older than about grade five.

[Todd · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is good book to combine with a Canadian North Geography unit. The reading level is around grade seven. However, if you are looking for something on protagonist versus their environment, The Hatchet is much better. This book includes Inuits and the culture up north though. The characters and plot are a little bland, but the setting is well done.

[Farah h · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book shows the kindness and the anger of our planet, there are many problems abd beauties in each part of that and reading this book is a good idea to find aout the problems and beauties of canada, imean the cold part of canada near to north pole.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't what I expected. I thought it would be action packed throughout the whole book, but in the beginning I was losing interest quickly. As the book progressed I couldn't stay away.

[Leslie Trotter · Rating 4 out of 5]

When i read Frozen Fire in school i just thought it as another book to read at school. Then i really got into it and finished it.. Sad :(

[Aida · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it in 7th grade. I finished it within a day!

[Lilian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read this for english class and it was pretty good.

[OGuy (Owen) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome quest.

[Terrancea]

I liked this book!