Book Descriptions
for Siberia by Ann Halam
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Four-year-old Rosita and her scientist mother are exiled together to a prison camp in a frozen wasteland. At first, despite the changes in her living conditions, Rosita is content to live with her loving mother. By the time she is a teenager, however, Rosita has changed her name to Sloe, and she’s been dragged down by the grim realities of her life. It helps to know that Mama has a plan, which somehow involves the “magic” work she secretly does with a complex lab kit. Mama’s work will not only free Sloe from their bleak imprisonment, but will somehow bring a great good to all humanity. After Sloe is tricked into betraying her mother’s forbidden scientific activity, Mama is removed from their prison home. Left alone, not sure if her parent is dead or alive, Sloe embarks on a dangerous journey across a desolate landscape in search of the safe haven at the other side that her mother has described. She carries the secret lab kit with her, and uses the amazing animals it creates to help her on her perilous course. The futuristic setting, on an Earth that has undergone major climate change and species extinction, unites science, animal welfare, and one girl’s brave attempt to make a change. (Ages 11–15)
CCBC Choices 2006 . © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2006. Used with permission.
From the Publisher
When Sloe was tiny, her Papa disappeared and she and her mama went to live in a prison camp in the snowy north, in a time and place when there are no more wild animals. Mama's crime: teaching science, and her dedication to the hope that the lost animal species can be reborn. To Sloe, Mama's secret work is magic, as enchanting as Mama's tales of a bright city across the ice where they will be free.
Years later, Sloe is sent to a prison school, and Mama disappears. At 13, Sloe escapes, pursued by a mysterious man. With only hope to keep her going, Sloe sets out on a solitary 1000-mile journey. But she is not truly alone for Mama left Sloe a gift: the seeds of five missing species and the knowledge to bring them to life.
Years later, Sloe is sent to a prison school, and Mama disappears. At 13, Sloe escapes, pursued by a mysterious man. With only hope to keep her going, Sloe sets out on a solitary 1000-mile journey. But she is not truly alone for Mama left Sloe a gift: the seeds of five missing species and the knowledge to bring them to life.
Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.