SYNOPSIS

A surprise blizzard buries a New England town under forty inches of snow. Snowplows don’t arrive for a week and families are stuck inside, with provisions dwindling quickly. An intrepid young boy (and author of the book) applies his Arctic Survival guide knowledge to embark on a “perilous journey”! With a sled and rackets-turned-snowshoes, he travels to the general store to bring supplies home and to neighbors along the way. This explorer’s adventure fills bellies and lifts spirits during the infamous Blizzard of 1978.

PERFECT AGE 4 – 10

THEMES

• No one is too small / young to help and make a difference
• Creativity, thinking outside the box, and having fun
• Bravery and resilience despite challenges
• Supporting family, friends, neighbors

We love

• All of the art is terrific – and especially the four-page spread showing our hero’s journey (and pit stops)
• The mix between the narrator’s story and graphic-novel-like dialogue bubbles
• So many great lessons for other young helpers:
• Our hero gets inspired by books he read
• He offers help to all neighbors
• He is resilient and resolute 
• His parents count on him!
• “…I was tired, hungry, and chilled to the bone. But I couldn’t think about myself. I was on a mission..” 

CONVERSATION STARTERS

• What did you most enjoy about the illustrations? How and where can you tell what day it is?
• Why did our hero decide it was up to him to take action? What advantages did he have?
• From the map, can you guess if he maybe had a little fun, too?
• Who was the lady in the store speaking to on the phone? Why?
• What does it mean to be “on a mission”?