Siberia

by Ann Halam

Four-year-old Rosita and her scientist mother are exiled together to a prison camp... read more

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)

© Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2006

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