Byrd & Igloo: A Polar Adventure

by Samantha Seiple

From the author of Ghosts in the Fog comes a story that will appeal to lovers of history, adventure, and dogs. Byrd & Igloo is the first narrative nonfiction book to tell the daring adventures of legendary polar explorer and aviator Richard Byrd and his lovable dog explorer, Igloo. Byrd is known for being the first to fly a plane over the North and South Poles, while Igloo is famous for being the only dog to explore both the North and South Poles. The adventures of Byrd and Igloo opened the door for science and research in the Antarctic. Featuring direct quotes from letters, diaries, and interviews; newspaper clippings; expedition records; maps; charts; as well as never-before-seen photos, it will give the complete story of the explorers' journey. Though rooted in history with evidence from many museums and research centers, Byrd & Igloo is exciting in tone, making it accessible and interesting for young readers.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Adventure, Middle Grade, Juvenile, Animals, History

Paperback

First published September 24, 2013

About the author

Samantha Seiple’s latest book is Louisa on the Front Lines: Louisa May Alcott in the Civil War (Seal Press), the first narrative nonfiction book focusing on the least-known aspect of Louisa May Alcott's career – her time spent as a nurse during the Civil War. Though her service was brief, the dramatic experience was one that she considered pivotal in helping her write the beloved classic  Little Women. It also deeply affected her tenuous relationship with her father and solidified her commitment to human rights. 

Louisa on the Front Lines has been praised as “Lively, well-researched… engaging and informative… Alcott herself would have marveled at how Seiple's biographical and historical account reads like a novel!” by leading Alcott scholar Daniel Shealy, co-editor of The Journals of Louisa May Alcott and The Selected Letters of Louisa May Alcott.

Seiple enjoys uncovering forgotten and little-known aspects of history and meticulously crafting the factual story to read like a novel. Louisa on the Front Lines is her first biographical account for the adult audience.

Her previous narrative nonfiction books for young adults include Ghosts in the Fog: The Untold Story of Alaska’s WWII Invasion, a YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Nominee and a Junior Library Guild Selection; Lincoln’s Spymaster: America’s First Private Eye, a Junior Library Guild Selection; Byrd & Igloo: A Polar Adventure; and Death on the River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Amazon Adventure, a Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Gold Award winner.

Seiple lives in Asheville, North Carolina with her husband, Todd, and tiny toy poodle, Lucy.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book at the Scholastic Book Fair at school. My students this year are really into dog stories so I thought I'd add to the classroom library.

To tell you the truth, I didn't know anything about Byrd, other than he was one of the early explorers. I liked learning about him but it was kind of awkward jumping between points of view and historical fact and Igloo. There were several areas I'd have liked to have seen explored more.

I think, though, this is a good addition to my library.

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting way to entice upper elementary and middle school readers by including Byrd's faithful companion, Igloo.

[JL Salty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: g
Recommend: 3-6th grade

An interesting history, but I found it to be poorly written. “Crux of his arm” P 54 - well, twice, p 3 first. Maybe I just don’t know that phrase? Choppy sentences. Pseudo anthropomorphism: thoughts and intentions attributed to igloo the dog, sporadically. And in a non-fiction book, this does not translate as well as in a fiction story. It felt a little like the author was trying to make to book more attractive to younger kids. But then some of her word use was too complex for that age reader, inconsistent.
I just didn’t love this book. That said, if you have a young reader who is interested in explorers, Byrd in particular, they might love this book. It’s really his story.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A true historical story made interesting to young readers by giving the perspective of Igloo the dog. Aviator Byrd flies over both poles and takes his dog Igloo on the trips. A good nonfiction companion for Tintin lovers.

Also a great mentor text for narrative nonfiction writing

[Celeste · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fast and fun read about an arctic explorer named Byrd and his loyal dog named Igloo. The dog was less involved that I thought but I still liked the relationship between Igloo and Byrd. (Around the Year in 52 Books-a book set in the Southern Hemisphere)

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grand Adventure

Samantha Siepel never disappoints!! A quick, delightful read. Highlights the power animals have to touch the human soul. #3 in my current polar expedition fascination!!!

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this aloud to my 8yo daughter. Though it wasn't very well written, it was a wonderful story of adventure, some terror, and a little hilarity. We both really enjoyed it and it was fun to add to our unit study on Antarctica.

[Suzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never heard of this explorer until I read this book. It was interesting seeing his achievements through the eyes of his dog, however, it was not my favorite writing style. I give it three stars, my fourth grader gives it five.

[Nathaniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked it

[Kati Polodna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Igloo sounds like an amazing dog! I love adventure stories set in the polar regions.

[Jeff DuChaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

A pleasant experience and a good read. Most people I am sure know very little about this remarkable story I really enjoyed it.

[Ethan Creager]

this was a very good book it was cool because the story was interesting.

[Marcie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet tale about Igloo, a rescue dog, who journeyed the polar regions with Admiral Byrd.

[Deb Mohr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read even if it is a young reader’s book. The dog, Igloo, stole the story, of course. Good, historical topic about the first Arctic and Antarctic flights. #1321

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting and enjoyable read. Written for middle school, but full of good information about Admiral Byrd and his life as an explorer and how he took his dog along on the adventure.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story begins in January, 1926 on a pouring, bitterly cold day in Washington D.C. Walking home from work, Maris Booth found a shivering puppy. She knew if she didn't take him home he would die. She snuck the puppy into her apartment and then to her work. She cared for him, but knew he couldn't stay cooped up day after day. He was independent and determined just like, Maris realized, Robert Byrd. She had read about Byrd and his daring goal to be the first person to fly over the North Pole. Booth called Byrd and convinced him that this dog could go anywhere he could and would be a reliable companion on any trip. Unsure at first, Byrd finally relented and thus began the five year friendship of a man and dog who traveled pole to pole together.

The puppy, soon named Igloo, was devoted to Byrd. Igloo was left behind at the base and did not fly over the North Pole with Byrd on that first expedition - and he made sure that was the last time. Igloo went everywhere with Byrd. He learned to deal with vicious sled dogs, wore a fur suit and booties to deal with the bitter cold of the Pole and was as dedicated to Byrd as Byrd was committed to the success and safety of each person in his crew.

Early aviation was exciting, dangerous and unknown. Combined with the polar exploration and the growing science of the time, the true story told in Byrd & Igloo shares this interesting point in history. The adventures of Igloo, a strong-willed, devoted, best friend, traveling along side the polar explorer from North Pole to South Pole, with Boston in between is an exciting one. Igloo was quite a dog. His adventures were many!

[Christina Getrost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute look at the Polar expeditions of Admiral Richard E. Byrd, by focusing on his dog Igloo, who accompanied him not only to the North and South Poles but also on the many lecture tours he made after returning to the States after his successful flights. Byrd was the first to fly a plane over the North Pole and over the South Pole, along with other exploration successes. I had no idea how difficult a feat that was in the 1920's; the book details just how hard the men worked to even get the plane off the boat in frozen waters, never mind up into the air. This chapter book, well-illustrated with many photos of both humans and the dog Igloo, as well as maps, is a slightly fictionalized (anthropomorphized, I suppose) story, saying that Igloo "felt miserable" or "felt shy" when first meeting Byrd's family, for example. but it's a good angle to take for a kids' book. It covers Igloo's lifespan from being found shivering on a street corner by a woman out walking, who gave him to Byrd, through his travels with Byrd for five years. When he died, Byrd was so touched he gave him a funeral. Igloo had also become a famous dog by then. Nice addition to historical books about dogs.

[Julie Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this was a very interesting story about Admiral Byrd and his flights over both the North Pole and the South Pole. Although I had heard of Byrd I didn't really know all that much about him and the book did provide some insights into his life and adventures. The title also mentions Igloo who was Byrd's dog who joined him on many of his adventures. What I liked were the facts about the expeditions and the photographs. What I didn't like was the use of Igloo as a narrator almost. Igloo wasn't there for everything so it couldn't always be told from his "point of view" and it just seemed odd to me at times for a non-fiction book to be told from a dog's perspective. I appreciated the fact that the dog was important to Byrd and was there a lot of the time but it just seemed disjointed at times.

That being said, I would consider buying the book for my library because I think my students would enjoy the dog aspect and the photographs and wouldn't be bothered by what bothered me.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Richard Byrd was the determined explorer who set his sights on learning more about the North and the South Pole. Despite much misfortune and a plane crash or two, he became the first person to fly a plane over both regions. This story describes some of his preparation, his failures and successes, and his relationship with Igloo, a stray dog who became his constant companion and even accompanied him to Antarctica. While being awed by the photographs and descriptions of the area, readers will be amused by Igloo's antics and impressed by his devotion to Byrd. Animal lovers will adore this title since the author pays attention to the things that Igloo would have noticed, describing his ongoing battle with the sled dogs and his custom-made outfit for the extremely cold temperatures the men faced. Readers will reach the final pages with renewed respect for this man and his faithful canine companion. I'd have liked to know more about both of them.

[Star · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book 4 stars for one main reason, the dog has an inner dialogue. This book has such great historical information about Byrd and his constant quests to be the first. I was amazed at the amount of time spent away from his family as he made attempt after attempt to be the first man to do something/anything. He really was larger than life.
I also really liked his connection to his dog Igloo. They were quite the dashing pair. Igloo was clearly bonded to Byrd and was able to be a part of many adventures.
Where the book fell apart were the times where Igloo's thoughts and ideas were part of the text. Don't get me wrong, I love dogs and I'm sure my dogs are thinking lots of interesting things as well. But in a biography with many valid sources of information I found it detracting.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best friends, Admiral Richard E. Byrd and fox terrier, Igloo, were inseparable. Together, they stood by each other exploring the coldest reaches of our world, The North Pole and The South Pole. In this true(ish) story of survival, adventure, and exploration, hearts are captured by the antics of this scrappy little fellow who withstood brutal conditions all for the love of his master.

Byrd & Igloo: A Polar Adventure is a snippet of the daring life of Byrd and his quest to fly over two dangerous places in a time when aviation was in its infancy, and not always reliable. Kids may not be enthused with the dull narrative, but will be enthralled with the 'thoughts' and 'musings' of Igloo.

[Heather Sarik · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Richard Byrd's historic flights at both poles, told (sort of) from the point of view of his beloved dog, Igloo. Very readable, but given its reading level and length, it skipped out on a lot of interesting facts. We found ourselves googling after each chapter to find out things like "what the heck happened to Anthony Fokker when the "America" crashed on its test flight?" (The fates of the rest of the crew are noted.) It also omitted the amusing story of the end of Byrd's transatlantic flight, wherein he and the crew crash-landed off the coast of Normandy, got to shore in a rubber raft, didn't speak French, and had a heck of a time getting the locals to believe that they'd just arrived from New York. A good book and a good starting point for further research.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of primary source photos and quotes add much to this story of Richard Byrd and his dog, Igloo. Igloo was actually a rescued puppy that was given to Byrd despite his initial protests. Byrd took Igloo with him on his trips to the North Pole and the South Pole despite the harsh weather and stormy seas. Apparently Igloo thrived on the adventure and Byrd and his crews enjoyed his company.
While the dog's presence definitely adds even more interest to the story, I had an issue with how much the dogs viewpoint was anthropomorphized.

[Lexi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too bad such a great story was told in such a terribly written book. Seiple used way too much anthropomorphism for a nonfiction book. I think she would have been better off writing a historical fiction novel about these two because her prose was dry and her attempt to spice it up with personifying Igloo as human doesn't work in this genre. Would not recommend to anyone. There has to be a better treatment of the subject somewhere.

[Laura Phelps · Rating 2 out of 5]

I very much wanted to like this, because it is based on an intriguing little historical tidbit and the reading level makes it accessible to younger readers, but the fact that it is told by Igloo the dog is problematic. Over and over, Igloo “thinks” something or “says” something, which doesn’t fit in the nonfiction narrative.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a quick look into Byrd's exploration of the north and south poles. I really liked the information in the book, especially about the base they built in Antarctica. I really didn't like hearing about some of it from the perspective of Byrd's dog. I think the dog would bring interest for the kids who read this book, but it bugged me.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book that I read in a day. A good option for my classroom, especially with an emphasis on nonfiction reading becoming more prevalent. This is an easy book for most 8th graders, but is a good option for readers who are not reading at geade level. The story is interesting and not very difficult.

[Jms Media]

This non-fiction narrative tells the story of the aviator/explorer Richard Byrd and his lovable dog Igloo. They share many adventures on research expeditions to the North and South Poles. If you like real life adventure stories then this is the book for you. Many of the artifacts from their adventures are in today's museums!

[Libbydale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this to my son. It is a well-written historical book perfect for fourth grade and up. She's taken a lot of history and condensed it down for young readers, and using the dog as the narrative is very appealing as well, making the story even more kid friendly. I knew this one would be good, and I'm glad my intuition was correct.

[Jamie Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Narrative nonfiction story about Richard Byrd's adventures! His dog, Igloo, will keep you readers engaged. They will learn much about the perils of exploring the poles! Recommend to 5th grade and up.