A Place for Delta

Alaska! The 49th state has been on my mind ever since I read about the ferry which travels from Bellingham, Washington to Wrangell, Alaska in Raven Stole the Moon. Recently my friend, Mary, took a cruise to Alaska, and graciously allowed me to share some of her photos in this post. I was quite pleased to receive a brand new book for young adults, published in 2010, A Place for Delta, written by Melissa Walker and illustrated by Richard Walker, in which the main character, Joseph Morse, ventures from Georgia to Alaska. Although he is only eleven years old, he has an important mission, to help take care of an orphaned polar bear cub found stranded on an ice flo.

I'd never before read a story about a polar bear cub, and Delta is quite endearing. Small for her age, she drinks from a bottle, devours canned salmon, and plays eagerly with Joseph and other caretakers. Joseph helps the scientists take care of Delta, which is an around-the-clock job at the research station. As the story unfolds, Joseph and his new Eskimo friend, Ada Amatuk, share exciting adventures which make this the experience of a lifetime. Joseph falls in love with Alaska, and I did, too. A Place for Delta is a heart-warming adventure book with charming illustrations, and an important message about the effects of global warming on the natural habitat and future of polar bears. I enjoyed everything about this book, the setting, the adventures, and the characters--especially Delta.

Special thanks to Lisa from Online Publicist for sending me this book, the winner of the 2010 International Book Award for best children's fiction, and to Mary, for allowing me to include a few of her spectacular photos of Alaska.

Tracy Arm Fjord, glaciers and waterfalls

Ketchikan

Late sunset (after 9:00 PM)

Comments welcomed.