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Maisie vs Antarctica
Maisie thinks her dad is the most boring person in the world. For fun he likes to do origami (but only basic triangles) or jigsaw puzzles of a cloudless sky (yep, every piece is blue). He writes cool-sounding books like How To Wrestle A Crocodile and How To Defuse A Bomb, but he’s never actually done any of the awesome things he writes about. But Maisie has to admit weird things happen around Dad. Unexplainable things…
When childcare falls through and Dad has to take Maisie to Antarctica to research his next book, How To Survive In Antarctica, Maisie realises there is definitely something unusual about Dad – not only can he speak languages she never knew he could, he manages to crash-land a plane and somehow save her from being eaten by a leopard seal! What is going on? How is any of this possible? Can her dad teleport? Is he a superhero or something else entirely?
Maisie is determined to find out the truth about who her dad is. What she doesn’t realise is that she’ll discover some things about herself and what it really means to be a hero along the way. One thing is for sure – it’s going to be the adventure of a lifetime!
A cross between ADVENTURES ON TRAINS and MY BROTHER IS A SUPERHERO, this first book in a brilliant new series takes you on a non-stop adventure in Antarctica. Filled with humour, heart and a touch of the supernatural, these books are perfect for the most intrepid of readers!
When childcare falls through and Dad has to take Maisie to Antarctica to research his next book, How To Survive In Antarctica, Maisie realises there is definitely something unusual about Dad – not only can he speak languages she never knew he could, he manages to crash-land a plane and somehow save her from being eaten by a leopard seal! What is going on? How is any of this possible? Can her dad teleport? Is he a superhero or something else entirely?
Maisie is determined to find out the truth about who her dad is. What she doesn’t realise is that she’ll discover some things about herself and what it really means to be a hero along the way. One thing is for sure – it’s going to be the adventure of a lifetime!
A cross between ADVENTURES ON TRAINS and MY BROTHER IS A SUPERHERO, this first book in a brilliant new series takes you on a non-stop adventure in Antarctica. Filled with humour, heart and a touch of the supernatural, these books are perfect for the most intrepid of readers!
272 pages, Paperback
First published October 10, 2024
12 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
February 6, 2025
I was so excited to come across this book when I was in the United Kingdom during the holidays. I went to Antarctica some years ago, and any kids book I find that’s set in that magical, stunning, wild place is a book I make time to read.
This was such a fun, middle grade story, and the magical elements were a fun twist. I absolutely love the leopard seal and the reference to “baby cows on the highway.” And of course… the penguins. Always the penguins. 🐧
This was such a fun, middle grade story, and the magical elements were a fun twist. I absolutely love the leopard seal and the reference to “baby cows on the highway.” And of course… the penguins. Always the penguins. 🐧
March 20, 2025
Absolutely hilarious. Possibly the most fun I’ve ever had reading a book out loud.
I picked this firstly because it had penguins on the cover and secondly because Maisie was the name of Ben’s girlfriend (I say was because in the time we’ve been reading it he’s since broken up with Maisie and now has a new girlfriend, the love lives of 10 year olds!).
I never expected to enjoy it as much as we have. The story follows Maisie who loves to write stories about adventures, monsters and heroes. Although she hasn’t had many adventures with her dad who enjoys jigsaws and train timetables. That is until she has to go with him on a trip to Antarctica and she starts to notice there’s something strange going on. It turns out her dad is keeping a huge secret and Maisie is determined to find out what it is.
We laughed at pretty much every page. Maisie’s storytelling and the comparisons she draws are brilliantly written and every chapter is packed with adventure, humour and chaos.
I could not have loved it more and we can’t wait to read more of Maisie’s adventures. I’d recommend this story to anyone who has kids. And anyone who doesn’t. Definitely one we will re-read.
I picked this firstly because it had penguins on the cover and secondly because Maisie was the name of Ben’s girlfriend (I say was because in the time we’ve been reading it he’s since broken up with Maisie and now has a new girlfriend, the love lives of 10 year olds!).
I never expected to enjoy it as much as we have. The story follows Maisie who loves to write stories about adventures, monsters and heroes. Although she hasn’t had many adventures with her dad who enjoys jigsaws and train timetables. That is until she has to go with him on a trip to Antarctica and she starts to notice there’s something strange going on. It turns out her dad is keeping a huge secret and Maisie is determined to find out what it is.
We laughed at pretty much every page. Maisie’s storytelling and the comparisons she draws are brilliantly written and every chapter is packed with adventure, humour and chaos.
I could not have loved it more and we can’t wait to read more of Maisie’s adventures. I’d recommend this story to anyone who has kids. And anyone who doesn’t. Definitely one we will re-read.
August 31, 2024
I read this with my daughter who loved it - it's a very sweet story with enough action, mystery, twists and turns to keep young readers gripped.
It's got a nice wit throughout in Maisie's internal monologue and there's a really nice message behind her relationship with her Dad and the worries and priorities of parenting.
It's got a nice wit throughout in Maisie's internal monologue and there's a really nice message behind her relationship with her Dad and the worries and priorities of parenting.
December 8, 2024
4.5 - I really enjoyed this high stakes adventure story with a slight magical twist. Maisie’s first person narration was more like a friend telling you a story, and the fact that she’s always looking for her next story helps! She’s funny, and I love this close adventure with Dad - not on her own. Fun, informative, high stakes, funny!
September 27, 2024
I love this book! Funny and exciting, with truly great twists. And Maisie herself is a fantastic character. I bought a copy for my niece, and she loved it, too. We're both looking forward to the sequel.
January 7, 2025
Really enjoyed this book, I’m planning to read it to my class. I think they are going to love it to. It’s humorous , exciting and I’m pretty sure I know more now about how to survive in Antarctica than I did before.
November 1, 2024
Maisie Vs Antarctica is a great read and it’s clear that author, Jack Jackman, really knows his target age group.
The book follows 11-year-old, Maisie, who through a series of events, ends up crash-landing on Antarctica. She is there with her usually entirely predictable father, George- a man who,Maisie muses, is so lacking of imagination, he wished to call his daughter Georgina at birth. (I wonder where the author got that idea from?) Maisie and her dad are joined by their eccentric pilot, Guillermo. As a budding author, Maisie recognises the value in Guillermo’s quirky character and plans to make him dragon herding protagonist in a future work!
Where does the title come from? Well firstly, the fact they crash onto a he continentbut a trip there was actually planned. Maisie’s dad is the author of a number of works of non-fiction providing instructions on topics as diverse as ‘How to wrestle a Crocodile’ and ‘How to build a Zipwire’. And so, the whole purpose of their trip is research for a new book on survival on the frozen continent. There are several interesting nuggets of survival advice and some great facts about life specific to the polar region.
There is also a brilliant and unexpected element to the book, which I didn’t see coming at all. And it just made it an even weirder, more wonderful read.
The thing that makes this entire book work is Maisie. She is a self-conscious narrator with a knack for comedy. Her narration, like a stand up show, has so many call backs to jokes and comedic ideas, and she has a real eye for irony. The book is genuinely really funny but it’s not just about the laughs: Maisie is also incredibly likeable. She’s perceptive of others but also very self-aware and self-deprecating. For instance, I loved her quip about her greatest achievement being ‘finding all four corner pieces of a big blue jigsaw’ as she contemplates plummeting to her death in a small plane.
I loved this. It was again a bit of an unexpected delight. Warm and wonderful. Delightfully weird and funny. 8+
The book follows 11-year-old, Maisie, who through a series of events, ends up crash-landing on Antarctica. She is there with her usually entirely predictable father, George- a man who,Maisie muses, is so lacking of imagination, he wished to call his daughter Georgina at birth. (I wonder where the author got that idea from?) Maisie and her dad are joined by their eccentric pilot, Guillermo. As a budding author, Maisie recognises the value in Guillermo’s quirky character and plans to make him dragon herding protagonist in a future work!
Where does the title come from? Well firstly, the fact they crash onto a he continentbut a trip there was actually planned. Maisie’s dad is the author of a number of works of non-fiction providing instructions on topics as diverse as ‘How to wrestle a Crocodile’ and ‘How to build a Zipwire’. And so, the whole purpose of their trip is research for a new book on survival on the frozen continent. There are several interesting nuggets of survival advice and some great facts about life specific to the polar region.
There is also a brilliant and unexpected element to the book, which I didn’t see coming at all. And it just made it an even weirder, more wonderful read.
The thing that makes this entire book work is Maisie. She is a self-conscious narrator with a knack for comedy. Her narration, like a stand up show, has so many call backs to jokes and comedic ideas, and she has a real eye for irony. The book is genuinely really funny but it’s not just about the laughs: Maisie is also incredibly likeable. She’s perceptive of others but also very self-aware and self-deprecating. For instance, I loved her quip about her greatest achievement being ‘finding all four corner pieces of a big blue jigsaw’ as she contemplates plummeting to her death in a small plane.
I loved this. It was again a bit of an unexpected delight. Warm and wonderful. Delightfully weird and funny. 8+
October 1, 2024
The plot
BANG! That's how we are thrown into Maisie's adventure, and for three stunning, breath-freezing pages, Maisie recounts her plight. How the Spanish-speaking pilot, Guillermo, is slumped over and her boring jigsaw-loving father, who has never piloted a plane, even though he has written a book on How to Crash Land a Plane, is fighting at the controls of a light aircraft as it plunges to certain death and disaster.
Then, as things change from blue to white, Maisie then takes us back to how she finds herself in this plight. It is ultimately all down to a babysitter's son choosing to flood his home, building a moat for his Lego castle. It is the Christmas holidays, and her dad is off to do research on how to survive in the Antarctic. A quick in and out, staying a day between. His other books work along the lines of How to Build a Zip Wire, How to Wrestle a Crocodile and How to Defuse a Bomb. None of which he has ever done or had the time to do, what with looking after Maisie on his own after his wife died.
But, the upshot is that rather than not go, Maisie sees a chance to have a small adventure to make her Christmas holiday break for once sound fabulous rather than dull when she recounts it to class come term time. Little does she know what awaits, and that's excluding the plane crash.
When we rejoin after this little foray back in time, Maisie finds herself alive and on the ice. Guillermo is alive and wounded, but her father is OK. Of the plane, there is no sign, but her father says it is further along the ice.
It soon becomes clear that nobody will be coming for them as their flight is illegal. They shouldn't have been flying to Antarctica and had filed a flight plan to somewhere else. Additionally, Guillermo's battered plane doesn't have a working radio.
Pretty soon, after some help and chewing things over, Maisie and her dad set to making an igloo. A much better one than those semi-built igloos Maisie finds out on the ice. But where did they come from if nobody lives there? They drag the pilot under cover, and in doing so, Maisie notes that they leave trails in the snowy ice. Yet, there are no trails from when her father dragged the pilot to safety from the plane.
They have priorities, and having built a shelter and retrieved a stove from his rucksack, the next is food. Now, this is where some fun info about penguins comes in as father and daughter head off to find some fish. And where there are penguins, you'll find fish. But where you find penguins near the edge of an ice flow, you'll also find peril that will eat a small, overly-hasty girl, no matter the time of day.
The beast is as surprised by missing his target as Maisie is at still being alive and not in its jaws when the former and the latter face each other on the ice flow with a healthy distance between them. Has she just been teleported? It seems like she has, and maybe it isn't the first time, either. Could it be that they all survived the plane crash because none of them were on the plane when it did crash? Is her father an actual superhero with teleport skills?
It is a suggestion that her level-headed (dull) father says isn't possible. But as they say in the state of Denmark, something is very fishy indeed. And Maisie is determined to find out what it is.
When Guillermo is awake, he lends Maisie his much food-stained map. It is on this they discover Antarctica isn't as uninhabited as they thought. Right about a cigarette burn through the map is a British scientific research base. It's thirty kilometres away, too far to walk in a day, especially in cold weather and icy winds.
Which is when Maisie's dad heads off to use the plane's radio. But after he has gone out, Guillermo says he'll have a hard time fixing it as he left the radio in the aerodrome!
What happens next is, well, surprising. Chasing after her dad, Maisie ultimately finds him asleep on the ice, his head on a snow pillow. His clothes are in tatters, and he is injured. What has happened to him? And more's the point, when asked if he got the radio working, the one that wasn't there, he says it didn't work properly so he left a message instead! Could he be delusional, or has the mystery just dialled up a notch?
Which is where I stop the review. Suffice it to say, at less than halfway through this adventure, and having not revealed everything that has happened up to this point, I have most definitely left the best to last.
So, what did we think? SPOILERS
Talk about starting the book with a bang. This one literally threw us head-first into a nosedive plane crash in the Antarctic, and the adrenaline created fuelled us to the end. Such clever writing. We loved how so very neatly, after the shock of the first three pages, we rewound and brought ourselves up to speed in the preceding few days, not that speed was lacking anywhere.
I thought we had the plot and outcome pegged, but we were both totally wrong. To tell you exactly what is going on, the actual driver behind actions and incidents will ruin the book. Despite being considered by some a not-too-bright child with her head in fantasy land, Maisie is clued up and observant. Alas, this isn't matched with either being able to keep a secret or necessarily think things through.
But that's exactly what brings this book alive without being cliched. Coupled with some really cool facts about the Antarctic, first-hand experience with some of the inhabitants, and most delightful characters, such as their one-time pilot, we have an excellent, fast-paced adventure that would make Clive Cussler proud. In fact, I'd peg him as having written this had it been an anonymous work.
Crunch time. To sum up....
"A barnstorming, rollercoaster adventure filled with wry humour, thrills, spills, peril and mystery. One hell of a ride, and I just couldn't stop till the end, and left wanting more."
BANG! That's how we are thrown into Maisie's adventure, and for three stunning, breath-freezing pages, Maisie recounts her plight. How the Spanish-speaking pilot, Guillermo, is slumped over and her boring jigsaw-loving father, who has never piloted a plane, even though he has written a book on How to Crash Land a Plane, is fighting at the controls of a light aircraft as it plunges to certain death and disaster.
Then, as things change from blue to white, Maisie then takes us back to how she finds herself in this plight. It is ultimately all down to a babysitter's son choosing to flood his home, building a moat for his Lego castle. It is the Christmas holidays, and her dad is off to do research on how to survive in the Antarctic. A quick in and out, staying a day between. His other books work along the lines of How to Build a Zip Wire, How to Wrestle a Crocodile and How to Defuse a Bomb. None of which he has ever done or had the time to do, what with looking after Maisie on his own after his wife died.
But, the upshot is that rather than not go, Maisie sees a chance to have a small adventure to make her Christmas holiday break for once sound fabulous rather than dull when she recounts it to class come term time. Little does she know what awaits, and that's excluding the plane crash.
When we rejoin after this little foray back in time, Maisie finds herself alive and on the ice. Guillermo is alive and wounded, but her father is OK. Of the plane, there is no sign, but her father says it is further along the ice.
It soon becomes clear that nobody will be coming for them as their flight is illegal. They shouldn't have been flying to Antarctica and had filed a flight plan to somewhere else. Additionally, Guillermo's battered plane doesn't have a working radio.
Pretty soon, after some help and chewing things over, Maisie and her dad set to making an igloo. A much better one than those semi-built igloos Maisie finds out on the ice. But where did they come from if nobody lives there? They drag the pilot under cover, and in doing so, Maisie notes that they leave trails in the snowy ice. Yet, there are no trails from when her father dragged the pilot to safety from the plane.
They have priorities, and having built a shelter and retrieved a stove from his rucksack, the next is food. Now, this is where some fun info about penguins comes in as father and daughter head off to find some fish. And where there are penguins, you'll find fish. But where you find penguins near the edge of an ice flow, you'll also find peril that will eat a small, overly-hasty girl, no matter the time of day.
The beast is as surprised by missing his target as Maisie is at still being alive and not in its jaws when the former and the latter face each other on the ice flow with a healthy distance between them. Has she just been teleported? It seems like she has, and maybe it isn't the first time, either. Could it be that they all survived the plane crash because none of them were on the plane when it did crash? Is her father an actual superhero with teleport skills?
It is a suggestion that her level-headed (dull) father says isn't possible. But as they say in the state of Denmark, something is very fishy indeed. And Maisie is determined to find out what it is.
When Guillermo is awake, he lends Maisie his much food-stained map. It is on this they discover Antarctica isn't as uninhabited as they thought. Right about a cigarette burn through the map is a British scientific research base. It's thirty kilometres away, too far to walk in a day, especially in cold weather and icy winds.
Which is when Maisie's dad heads off to use the plane's radio. But after he has gone out, Guillermo says he'll have a hard time fixing it as he left the radio in the aerodrome!
What happens next is, well, surprising. Chasing after her dad, Maisie ultimately finds him asleep on the ice, his head on a snow pillow. His clothes are in tatters, and he is injured. What has happened to him? And more's the point, when asked if he got the radio working, the one that wasn't there, he says it didn't work properly so he left a message instead! Could he be delusional, or has the mystery just dialled up a notch?
Which is where I stop the review. Suffice it to say, at less than halfway through this adventure, and having not revealed everything that has happened up to this point, I have most definitely left the best to last.
So, what did we think? SPOILERS
Talk about starting the book with a bang. This one literally threw us head-first into a nosedive plane crash in the Antarctic, and the adrenaline created fuelled us to the end. Such clever writing. We loved how so very neatly, after the shock of the first three pages, we rewound and brought ourselves up to speed in the preceding few days, not that speed was lacking anywhere.
I thought we had the plot and outcome pegged, but we were both totally wrong. To tell you exactly what is going on, the actual driver behind actions and incidents will ruin the book. Despite being considered by some a not-too-bright child with her head in fantasy land, Maisie is clued up and observant. Alas, this isn't matched with either being able to keep a secret or necessarily think things through.
But that's exactly what brings this book alive without being cliched. Coupled with some really cool facts about the Antarctic, first-hand experience with some of the inhabitants, and most delightful characters, such as their one-time pilot, we have an excellent, fast-paced adventure that would make Clive Cussler proud. In fact, I'd peg him as having written this had it been an anonymous work.
Crunch time. To sum up....
"A barnstorming, rollercoaster adventure filled with wry humour, thrills, spills, peril and mystery. One hell of a ride, and I just couldn't stop till the end, and left wanting more."
October 1, 2024
4.2 Stars
One Liner: A freezing adventure!
Eleven-year-old Maisie lives with her father who writes boring books like How to Wrestle a Crocodile or How to Diffuse a Bomb. In real life, he is a boring person who makes triangle origami and does basic puzzles. However, with no one to watch Maisie, her father has to take her with him to Antarctica. Soon, Maisie realizes there is a lot she doesn’t know about her father. He has many skills and may be hiding a secret too!
The story comes in Maisie’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
Well, how can I resist a book about a young girl and her dad having an adventure in Antarctica?
Maisie is a sassy and imaginative narrator, which will work great for the target audience. She is a tween who is bad at school, doesn’t pay attention to most things, and thinks too fast for adults to catch up with.
The story is fast-paced and combines adventure, danger, intrigue, and superpower. The heady combination is perfect for kids, especially since Maisie messes up a lot and often needs to be rescued by adults. Young readers can see how easy it is to get into trouble. The adults are also capable, which is another plus.
The freezing landscape of Antarctica comes alive on the pages without any extensive detail. We see what the narrator sees, which are loads of ice and other strange stuff.
Despite the antics and danger, the story manages to deal with topics like the loss of a parent, the loss of a life partner (for the father), being a loner, the hardships of being a single parent, etc. These aspects shape the character arcs, making them integral to the central plot.
The blurb calls this the first in the series, and I can see why. Though it works as a standalone, we have only scratched the surface and are yet to delve fully into the main characters’ lives. Naturally, there have to be more adventures. I hope Miss Kumari will feature actively in the coming books.
The chapter titles are quirky and hint at what’s to come though there aren’t any major reveals. They are all titled ‘How to…’ a nod to the books the dad writes. Since this book is being written by Maisie, it is fitting that she follows her father’s footsteps.
I would have loved it if the book had some illustrations – Maisie’s flaming red hair, the dad, the caterpillar, etc. Even a sample of handwriting, for that matter, would enhance the appeal.
To summarize, Maisie vs Antarctica is a terrific start to a new series and I hope we get to see more adventures of Maisie and her father. I enjoyed this fast-paced narrative bubbling with an eleven-year-old’s overactive imagination.
Thank you, NetGalley and Nosy Crow, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #MaisieVsAntarctica
One Liner: A freezing adventure!
Eleven-year-old Maisie lives with her father who writes boring books like How to Wrestle a Crocodile or How to Diffuse a Bomb. In real life, he is a boring person who makes triangle origami and does basic puzzles. However, with no one to watch Maisie, her father has to take her with him to Antarctica. Soon, Maisie realizes there is a lot she doesn’t know about her father. He has many skills and may be hiding a secret too!
The story comes in Maisie’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
Well, how can I resist a book about a young girl and her dad having an adventure in Antarctica?
Maisie is a sassy and imaginative narrator, which will work great for the target audience. She is a tween who is bad at school, doesn’t pay attention to most things, and thinks too fast for adults to catch up with.
The story is fast-paced and combines adventure, danger, intrigue, and superpower. The heady combination is perfect for kids, especially since Maisie messes up a lot and often needs to be rescued by adults. Young readers can see how easy it is to get into trouble. The adults are also capable, which is another plus.
The freezing landscape of Antarctica comes alive on the pages without any extensive detail. We see what the narrator sees, which are loads of ice and other strange stuff.
Despite the antics and danger, the story manages to deal with topics like the loss of a parent, the loss of a life partner (for the father), being a loner, the hardships of being a single parent, etc. These aspects shape the character arcs, making them integral to the central plot.
The blurb calls this the first in the series, and I can see why. Though it works as a standalone, we have only scratched the surface and are yet to delve fully into the main characters’ lives. Naturally, there have to be more adventures. I hope Miss Kumari will feature actively in the coming books.
The chapter titles are quirky and hint at what’s to come though there aren’t any major reveals. They are all titled ‘How to…’ a nod to the books the dad writes. Since this book is being written by Maisie, it is fitting that she follows her father’s footsteps.
I would have loved it if the book had some illustrations – Maisie’s flaming red hair, the dad, the caterpillar, etc. Even a sample of handwriting, for that matter, would enhance the appeal.
To summarize, Maisie vs Antarctica is a terrific start to a new series and I hope we get to see more adventures of Maisie and her father. I enjoyed this fast-paced narrative bubbling with an eleven-year-old’s overactive imagination.
Thank you, NetGalley and Nosy Crow, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #MaisieVsAntarctica
August 29, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and Nosy Crow for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
**Contains Slight Spoilers**
I am a sucker for a gorgeous cover, and a kids book, and winter...so this sounded perfect for me, even if I am 20 years older than the suggested age range.
I love it being from the point-of-view of Maisie because, just like readers her age, she doesn't think her Dad is cool and can't possibly have done all these amazing things he's written about. Young children can't imagine that their parents were ever young and cool and fun.
I didn't realise just has magical it would be. I thought it would 'just' be a fun kids book where a kid goes on an adventure with her father. And it is that. But there's this magic that flows underneath everything that gives it extra detail..
I read it in about an hour. It's so fun and so easy to read. There's not much there for adults to get their teeth into, but for the age range it's perfect. There's magic, adventure, fun, and danger. I read it with a great big smile on my face.
I believe it's the first in a series which bodes well. There could be unlimited adventures Maisie and her Dad can go on. I could definitely see it being made into a TV short or something. I think the setting and the goings-on would suit the television screen very well.
I do love a good thriller, crime, or "intelligence" novel, but sometimes I just want a book about magic in the snow, and you just don't get that with adult books, generally. Which is why I am a huge advocate for adults reading kids books, because sometimes we need to be reminded of the magic that reading can bring.
**Contains Slight Spoilers**
I am a sucker for a gorgeous cover, and a kids book, and winter...so this sounded perfect for me, even if I am 20 years older than the suggested age range.
I love it being from the point-of-view of Maisie because, just like readers her age, she doesn't think her Dad is cool and can't possibly have done all these amazing things he's written about. Young children can't imagine that their parents were ever young and cool and fun.
I didn't realise just has magical it would be. I thought it would 'just' be a fun kids book where a kid goes on an adventure with her father. And it is that. But there's this magic that flows underneath everything that gives it extra detail..
I read it in about an hour. It's so fun and so easy to read. There's not much there for adults to get their teeth into, but for the age range it's perfect. There's magic, adventure, fun, and danger. I read it with a great big smile on my face.
I believe it's the first in a series which bodes well. There could be unlimited adventures Maisie and her Dad can go on. I could definitely see it being made into a TV short or something. I think the setting and the goings-on would suit the television screen very well.
I do love a good thriller, crime, or "intelligence" novel, but sometimes I just want a book about magic in the snow, and you just don't get that with adult books, generally. Which is why I am a huge advocate for adults reading kids books, because sometimes we need to be reminded of the magic that reading can bring.
August 20, 2024
A book packed full of daring and adventure.
I loved following Maisie in this story and discovering not only a bit more of the world with her, but seeing her navigate the challenges she faced and some of the insane things she had to overcome. Just the ordinary mundane things like crashing head first into the ices of Antarctica, trying to stay alive in a hostile world and uncover the secrets your dad is trying to hide from you. Just normal every day adventures.
Maisie is more accustomed to writing about exciting encounters in her books but when an opportunity crosses her path to accompany her dad to Antarctica (he’s writing a book about how to survive in Antarctica of course), little to do they know they’ll soon be living the topic of the story.
I just loved the writing in this and it was so entertainingly written. It was filled with humour and perfect for younger readers (and older ones who can get just as much fun from the story). I read it in pretty much one sitting because it was so easy to read and so enjoyable right from the start.
I couldn’t put it down and it really keeps your attention hooked with how fast paced and entertaining it is straight from the first chapter. Loved it!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
I loved following Maisie in this story and discovering not only a bit more of the world with her, but seeing her navigate the challenges she faced and some of the insane things she had to overcome. Just the ordinary mundane things like crashing head first into the ices of Antarctica, trying to stay alive in a hostile world and uncover the secrets your dad is trying to hide from you. Just normal every day adventures.
Maisie is more accustomed to writing about exciting encounters in her books but when an opportunity crosses her path to accompany her dad to Antarctica (he’s writing a book about how to survive in Antarctica of course), little to do they know they’ll soon be living the topic of the story.
I just loved the writing in this and it was so entertainingly written. It was filled with humour and perfect for younger readers (and older ones who can get just as much fun from the story). I read it in pretty much one sitting because it was so easy to read and so enjoyable right from the start.
I couldn’t put it down and it really keeps your attention hooked with how fast paced and entertaining it is straight from the first chapter. Loved it!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
September 7, 2024
Maisie makes up her own adventures about a heroine called Nyteshade because her dad’s idea of a thrilling afternoon is to build jigsaws. But when her babysitter cancels and she joins Dad on his research trip to Antarctica, she quickly starts to suspect that Dad might be hiding a rather large secret. The clue? Dad is able to crash land an aeroplane.
Is he a spy? Does he have magic powers? The clues keep stacking up as Dad saves not only Maisie but their pilot too, as well as battling the elements to build the perfect igloo and plucking Maisie from the hungry jaws of a leopard seal.
The author has lived in Ushuaia where the story begins and travelled around Antarctica, so the book is packed with amazing descriptions and facts. Did you know that emperor penguins are some of the best dads in the world? They sit on the eggs for up to two months with no food until the eggs hatch and the mothers return ready to feed the chicks.
This story is like drinking a hot chocolate while snuggled up inside during a snowstorm, it’s icy and dangerous but leaves you feeling warm inside. Bring on Maisie’s next adventure!
Thank you to Nosy Crow for the advance copy.
Is he a spy? Does he have magic powers? The clues keep stacking up as Dad saves not only Maisie but their pilot too, as well as battling the elements to build the perfect igloo and plucking Maisie from the hungry jaws of a leopard seal.
The author has lived in Ushuaia where the story begins and travelled around Antarctica, so the book is packed with amazing descriptions and facts. Did you know that emperor penguins are some of the best dads in the world? They sit on the eggs for up to two months with no food until the eggs hatch and the mothers return ready to feed the chicks.
This story is like drinking a hot chocolate while snuggled up inside during a snowstorm, it’s icy and dangerous but leaves you feeling warm inside. Bring on Maisie’s next adventure!
Thank you to Nosy Crow for the advance copy.
September 7, 2024
Brilliant book for KS2 for independent readers and as a whole class read. As an adult, I was captivated by Maisy and her 'boring'dad and feel sure this will appeal to young readers.
The adventure is narrated by Maisy and told in a very humorous way, with a number of laugh out loud moments. Maisy is a story writer herself, with a vivid imagination, however even she doesn't imagine just how 'unboring' her Dad really is.
As a Primary School Librarian I will definitely look to add this to our stock and look forward to more books in this series.
With thanks to NetGalley and Nosy Crow for allowing me to read an advanced reader copy in return for my honest and unbiased review.
The adventure is narrated by Maisy and told in a very humorous way, with a number of laugh out loud moments. Maisy is a story writer herself, with a vivid imagination, however even she doesn't imagine just how 'unboring' her Dad really is.
As a Primary School Librarian I will definitely look to add this to our stock and look forward to more books in this series.
With thanks to NetGalley and Nosy Crow for allowing me to read an advanced reader copy in return for my honest and unbiased review.
October 21, 2024
I enjoyed this so much! With a really fresh voice, I can see Jackman taking Maisie on so many adventures in more beautiful tales. I really enjoyed the formatting of this one as each chapter title gave me a giggle and sets the scene brilliantly for how the story will progress. The wit and humor flies through each page and her gorgeous relationship between her and her dad is wonderful to watch as it grows. This adventure jumps head first off the cliff of adventure and readers are sucked in from the get go! A wonderful tale. And the sense of mystery is sure to delight.
September 7, 2024
Sweet story. Maisie ends up accompanying her father on a trip to Antarctica but when their plane crash lands, she starts to notice some strange occurrences which she’s unable to explain. Eventually her father explains and then things get even more complicated…!
A lighthearted Antarctic adventure with a twist. Clever premise and a bit of ‘education’ about life in this extreme region. The ending felt a little rushed to me.
Thank you to NetGalley for an e-ARC.
A lighthearted Antarctic adventure with a twist. Clever premise and a bit of ‘education’ about life in this extreme region. The ending felt a little rushed to me.
Thank you to NetGalley for an e-ARC.
September 12, 2024
I was asked to read this fascinating story by NetGalley
A lovely story- childrens adventure where Maisie gets to go with her father to Antartica, things do not go well as the plane crashes! then strange things seem to be happening and it it hard for Maisie to ascertain - her father explains but things get more unusal.
This is really light hearted - and adventure with a twist.
A lovely stocking filler this Christmas
A lovely story- childrens adventure where Maisie gets to go with her father to Antartica, things do not go well as the plane crashes! then strange things seem to be happening and it it hard for Maisie to ascertain - her father explains but things get more unusal.
This is really light hearted - and adventure with a twist.
A lovely stocking filler this Christmas
May 14, 2025
This was such a fun read! I loved reading about Maisie and her dad and all the mishaps and adventures they experienced. I didn't realize there was a supernatural element to the book when I bought it, but am happy I'd read about it in a review before I started reading it. I don't think I would have liked it as much if I had gone into it expecting a story grounded in reality. I loved all the characters and am excited to read the sequel when it comes out
July 10, 2025
Maisie is a great character and I enjoyed her perspective as an imaginative keen-on-writing-but-non-mathsy child (it seemed familiar!) and the way she describes people and what's going on around her. I had assumed the story was going to be a straight-forward adventure, so the fantasy element took me by surprise, but I'm keen to find out where it goes in subsequent books, without giving any spoilers!
July 20, 2024
Such a spectacular adventure book for readers 9-12 and adults young at heart! Thrilled that this is the first in a series, which I will not miss because I am forever hooked. Take one fab MC, young Maisie, who ends up on a trip to Antarctica with her dad as he does research for his next book. Loved it!
August 19, 2024
I bloody adored this from Jack Jackman. Honestly, I’ve raced through it in a matter of hours - couldn’t and didn’t want to put it down! All Maisie wants is a bit of adventure, but her boring dad isn’t interested… but Maisie learns you have to be careful what you wish for! This is full of adventure and Maisie is a gorgeous main character too! Perfect for KS2 - would make a great read aloud!
September 21, 2024
This was a lovely action packed story about Maisie visiting Antarctica. It will keep a young child’s mind thinking about all things white, magic and imagination. Maisie was a cute character and she fitted well into the story. Loads of information too. A great children’s read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.
October 10, 2024
This is a brilliant book full of humour and heart!
Maisie is the girl I wished I'd been friends with back in primary school. She's fun, wickedly imaginative, and loves her dad despite how "boring" he is (boy, is she in for a surprise!).
Her relationship with her dad just makes the book that much more special. A great read for kids. Highly recommend!
Maisie is the girl I wished I'd been friends with back in primary school. She's fun, wickedly imaginative, and loves her dad despite how "boring" he is (boy, is she in for a surprise!).
Her relationship with her dad just makes the book that much more special. A great read for kids. Highly recommend!
March 9, 2025
A fun middle grade adventure in Antarctica. Maisie’s dad writes books, he often leaves her with a babysitter so he can do research but when he’s goihh no to Antarctica the babysitter cancels last minute so he has to take her. Things get tough in such a wild place but she notices something isn’t right, is it magic? Can her dad teleport? Hmm
September 30, 2024
I really enjoyed the first 90% of this book. I loved the build up in finding out the Dads secret. I loved the adventure. I loved the educational side. I just found that the book was wrapped up too quickly for me.
January 23, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It was a good adventure to go on whilst keeping it funny but also adding some suspense for effect. I couldn't of guessed where the storyline was going to take you but I really enjoyed it. Definitely worth a read.
September 6, 2024
This is a fantastic, fast-paced adventure with a unique plot and a touching father and daughter relationship. The main character’s voice is very engaging and naturally funny throughout. Loved it.
October 7, 2024
Sparkling adventure for middle grade readers. My full review is here: http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....
November 1, 2024
Little bookworms book club
Fun fast paced adventure with a bit of a twist. Nice to read a kids book that’s different.
Fun fast paced adventure with a bit of a twist. Nice to read a kids book that’s different.
December 1, 2024
4.25 stars. Quite a unique story, very well written, a breath of fresh air. Genuinely funny too.
December 7, 2024
It's a fun and exciting adventure.
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