Module 5 – Icefall by: Matthew J. Kirby

PLOT: Hidden between a frozen fjord and mountainside the Kings heirs and their protectors are must remain in this fortress for an entire winter. Gunnlaug was denied as the future husband of the King’s eldest daughter and therefore declared war against the King and his kingdom. The King is at battle with his might enemy Gunnlaug.  The King and his trusted counselors decide to send his children away during this war to keep them safe from harm’s way.  The King has three children, the eldest Asa, being the most beautiful captivating young lady, the second child is Solveig who is not very attractive and serves no purpose to the royal family, and the third is his son, soon to be heir of his father’s throne, Harald. The story is told by Solveig and how she and her brother and sister have to struggle through a life of solitude and confinement in this fortress for an entire winter. The closest and most trusted servants and workers are sent with the children along with Captain Hake and his men who are called berserkers, savage men prepared to fight in a moment’s notice. During the long winter time there are many mysterious accidents happening.  Their cows are set free so the wolves in the forest could eat, the food is poisoned and many berserker die and everyone is blaming each other.  There is obviously a traitor among the group. As the story unfolds Solveig begins to find herself and realizes that she too has a purpose in the royal family.  She is strong willed, honest, caring and most of all brave. She also realizes that she has a gift for telling stories.  She begins to trust in herself and shows humbleness to everyone in the hall. The servants along with the traitor respect her very much. As the winter ends and the fjord begins to melt away they prepare for their voyage back home. However, before they could depart Gunnlaug enters the fjord and holds them ransom in exchange for marriage to Asa and land for Harald.  Solveig is not in Gunnlaug’s plans but she is determined to set her fate by freeing the servants and her brother.  Right before the escape she it is revealed as to who the traitor is and she must make a hard decision to save the others and herself before they are captured and killed.

Kirby, M. (2011). Icefall. New York: Scholastic Press.

IMPRESSION OF THE BOOK:  I was captured after reading the first paragraph of this book. There was no “putting down this book” I read it in two nights.  The writing of this book is so captivating that it allows your imagination to flow and create these vivid pictures of the story.  I was captivated by Solveig’s character and bravery.  I felt as if there was a strong connection between her and Hake, the captain of the berserkers and I just rooted for their survival, because I wanted them to end up together.  Alric’s character fooled me.  I for sure thought he was the traitor in this story and to come to find out he becomes the hero, I loved the twist in the story.  At first I was confused as to Harald’s age I thought of him as a teenager or alittle older and I later come to find out he is much younger, that really put me on the edge of my seat because he has to survive, he will take over as King. This gripping story was amazing I am so afraid of just blurting out the end because I will ruin it for everyone.  The book has a great ending so that a series could continue from it.  I really think this should become a movie or they should continue this book into a series. The next book should include Solveig’s travel with Hake as a skald and then they pump into her sister Asa. This book gets two big waving thumbs up… Go Solveig!!!

REVIEWS:  Kirkus Reviews (2011)

The king's three children and a small group of warrior-protectors take refuge in a winter-bound steading on a northern fjord and discover there's a traitor in their midst. Beautiful Asa, the eldest princess, faces an arranged marriage, although she loves another. Harald, the youngest, will one day be king. But the narrator, middle daughter Solveig, is neither attractive nor particularly useful, until she begins to realize she has talent as a storyteller and could have a future as a skald, or court bard. As food runs low and bitter winter tightens its hold, someone in the group begins to sabotage the remaining supplies, and Solveig has a dream that foretells a tragic end to their efforts to survive. Interesting, well-developed characters abound, and Solveig's strong narrative voice adds authenticity as she grows into her new role, not just telling stories of the mythical Scandinavian past but creating tales to alter the behavior of those around her. Valid clues and occasional red herrings heighten the sense of mystery. The chilly, claustrophobic, ancient setting is vividly created, and the sense of impending doom generates a gripping suspense overarching the developing--and deteriorating--relationships among the group, marking Kirby (The Clockwork Three, 2010) as a strong emerging novelist. Recommend this one to teens who crave a good mystery set in an icily different time and place. (Alternative historical mystery. 11-18)

Kirkus Review. (2011). [Review of the book Icefall, by Matthew J. Kirby]. Kirkus Reviews Issue. Retrieved July 10, 2013, from http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/matthew-kirby/icefall/

USE IN THE LIBRARY:  I would use this book in a vocabulary book display with a literature response.  I would use the vocabulary words such as fjord, ravine, berserkers, skyr, thrall, skald, glacier, rations, rafters, heir, throne, and savages.  I would also try and pull other books with the similar context.  I would create crossword puzzles, a question answer sheet and even a few pictures to color on the display.  If the students read the book and can answer the questions or crossword puzzle then they get their name put up on the display as part of the royal family and get some type of reward.