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Reviewed by Makeda Cummings for Readers' Favorite
Scott Sollers’ Way Up North takes us right into a small, tight-knit Inuit village up in Nunavut, not far from the North Pole. We follow a young boy named Nukilik who is growing up fast and wants nothing more than to help his community by learning their ancient hunting ways from his respected father, Amaruq. With a brutal winter creeping in, the village is running dangerously low on food, which means catching a bowhead whale is the only way everyone survives. Nukilik joins the men on their ocean expedition, forcing him to face the brutal Arctic weather and prove he has what it takes. He spends time practicing how to build the boat and how to carve harpoons from antlers. But the icy water throws some wild, unpredictable dangers at the hunters. Will this young apprentice find the inner strength to push past the freezing obstacles and bring home the food his village needs to get through the winter?
Way Up North by Scott Sollers is a heartfelt children’s book that does a great job of showing how close families and communities can be. Alejandro Echavez’s gorgeous illustrations bring the freezing landscape to life, giving the entire story a cozy, warm feel despite the icy environment. I just loved watching Nukilik mature with every turn of the page, turning his doubts into pure determination when the big hunt turns challenging. Sollers keeps things moving at a great pace, so kids will stay glued to the story, wanting to know if the village makes it. Amaruq’s wise words about being tough and leading the way teach kids a great lesson about not quitting when things get really rough. Watching Nukilik’s parents support his journey adds a nice emotional touch to the story, showing how passing down knowledge keeps everyone safe. It’s a beautiful book that blends heritage and growing up perfectly, and I highly recommend putting it into your bedtime reading lineup.
