- Non-Fiction
- Ages 8–12
- Social History
Shackleton's Journey
William Grill's Kate Greenaway Medal-winning account of Ernest Shackleton's doomed 1914 Antarctic expedition, told through exquisite coloured-pencil illustrations and precise, gripping detail. A landmark of narrative non-fiction for children.
- Best for8–12
- FormatNon-fiction
- Length80 pp
- Read aloud~1 hr10 min
The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Literary
- Conversational
Tone
- Adventurous
- Inspirational
- Thought provoking
- Suspenseful
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
In 1914, Ernest Shackleton and his crew of twenty-seven set out aboard the Endurance to become the first to cross the Antarctic on foot. But the ship was trapped and crushed by pack ice, stranding the men on the frozen sea and launching one of the greatest survival stories ever told. William Grill retells that extraordinary journey in his acclaimed debut, using delicate coloured-pencil drawings and meticulously researched diagrams, maps and inventories, right down to the sled dogs and the exact provisions, to bring the expedition vividly to life. Winner of the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal, Shackleton's Journey is a benchmark for narrative non-fiction: as beautiful to look at as it is fascinating to read, and utterly absorbing. It celebrates the courage, endurance and teamwork of a crew who survived against impossible odds, and it works equally well as a spellbinding read for a child fascinated by exploration and as a classroom resource on polar history, leadership and survival.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
A best fit for readers of about 8-12 exploring independently, and a superb shared or classroom read from 7 up. The detailed text and diagrams reward patient readers; the extraordinary true story pulls in even those who think they don't like non-fiction.
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- Best fit · 8–12
- Read aloud · 7–11
- Independent · 8–12
Prose load
Moderate
Visual support
Very high
Reluctant-reader friendly
Workable
Read-aloud quality
Strong
Works well for
- Reading aloud
- Gift-buying
Preview before sharing if a child is sensitive to: animal harm.
Bedtime suitability
2 / 5 · Better outside bedtime
Sensitive-child
4 / 5 · Good fit
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Exploration
- History
- Beautiful art
- Class topic
- Survival stories
Avoid if
- Wants fiction only
- Dislikes information books
Particularly good for children who are…
- Interested in science
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
The sheer drama of a ship crushed by ice and a crew stranded at the bottom of the world grips children instantly, and Grill's detailed pictures, the dogs, the provisions, the tiny men on vast ice, invite hours of poring over. It feels real because it is.
- Surviving danger
- Adventure and freedom
- Proving yourself
Why parents love it
A Kate Greenaway Medal winner that proves information books can be works of art. The research is meticulous, the coloured-pencil illustrations are stunning, and the story of leadership and endurance rewards repeated reading for adults and children alike.
- Beautiful illustrations
- Great writing
- Educational for adult too
- Conversation starter
About the author & illustrator
William Grill.
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